What Paint?!

[tech_guy]

A student has just stopped me to ask what kind of paint he should use to mod his laptop for an art project. I told him to go and ask the D&T dept. but they've sent him to ask me. It looks like the lid casing is made of plastic with that 'metal' effect paint?

 

I told him to avoid anything that contains acetone but he's after a named brand I think as well as a type of paint.

 

The machine is a Toshiba L10 if that's any use.

 

He's going to try and achieve an effect like this I believe:

 

http://thetopblog.org/wp-content/themes/mimbo2.2/images/art2.jpg

 

Many thanks.

Edited May 18, 2010 by tech_guy

[featured_spectre]

That paint I believe is a scratch resistant organiofunctional Silane in an acrylic based UV Cross linkable Paint.

 

I asked a friend of mine who mods Laptop shells and PC Cases and thats exactly what he said!

[tech_guy]

Lol, is that a leg-pull or a genuine answer?! I'll pass that on to the student along with a dictionary!

[featured_spectre]

That is a genuine answer.

[FN-GM]

you could always use a silver marker?

[creese]

Plasti-kote, Welcome to the home of spray paint

 

In any Homebase of B&Q etc.

[Fatmas]

I've produced a design I think he should use. It has some sharp go faster stripes and a sweet flame because everybody knows flames make computers super quick!

 

I'll just leave this here, it would be great if I could get some feedback

 

http://imgur.com/RzRu2.jpg

[DevilsAdvocate]

Fatmas, that design is top class. A*

[tech_guy]

It needs furry dice as well - can you do furry dice?

[tech_guy]

I've emailed the student the answers so far and he's emailed back to say he's going to try and create a reproduction of Hokusai's The Wave:

 

http://iconicionic.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/the_great_wave_off_kanagawa.jpg?w=450

 

so it sound like he needs something he can apply with a brush! Why do people have to make life hard for themselves!?

[creese]

 

so it sound like he needs something he can apply with a brush! Why do people have to make life hard for themselves!?

 

...or a stencil.

[plexer]

Best Way - Painting Tips for Plastic Models | eHow.co.uk

[apoth0r]

It's nice to see students with a project though, something that they want to do. Kudos if he can pull it off, would look really good!

[Fatmas]

His is good, I think mine is much better though. He can use it if he wants, I think you should show it to him.

 

http://imgur.com/XNp3M.jpg

[Rydra]

don't forget the spinning Wheel trim add-ons that make it look like your going faster.

 

Oh, and the blue LED lighting is a must.

 

I dare you to try adding tinted windows to the laptop too, or maybe add a subwoofer in the back...

[Little-Miss]

First time ive smiled properly all day Fatmas! Cheers!!!

[p858snake]

Most examples of modding laptops like that are done with lazer etching, Heres one example (well a few actually and a how to guide) on makezine (and they have few more): Make: Online : How it's made - Laser etching Powerbooks

[buzzard]

whats wrong with the old Humbrol Enamel? That or Gunze or Life colour acrylic, even the Tamiya Arylic paints from Hobbycraft etc would work, not sure on the "scratch resistance" but I'm sure with a few coats of a matt varnish type affair it'd be good enough.

[Rydra]

That laser etching looks like it is more aimed at metallic laptops, than plastic ones.

[p858snake]

You can laser etch plastic as well just have to make sure you adjust the power settings properly (best to get some plastic scrapes to play with). I believe there was someone on here that was laser etching their school logo and property id# onto their lids.

 

But for a student art piece a laser etch probably isn't the best because they can just grab the images off the net.

[sted]

could you not print it off on paper and then sticky back plastic it on or even print it in vynl like they use on cars/vans

[tech_guy]

What about silk screen-printing? Is that an option? Anybody know? That's the only thing I can think of.

[Fatmas]

Most examples of modding laptops like that are done with lazer etching, Heres one example (well a few actually and a how to guide) on makezine (and they have few more): Make: Online : How it's made - Laser etching Powerbooks

 

Lasers eh?

 

http://imgur.com/VMZOF.jpg

[SYNACK]

If they could do it digitally then you could easily take it to a signwriter with a digital image printer and have them print it onto vinal and apply it if required. The results are quite good, I have done something simmilar before.

[sparkeh]

Why do people have to make life hard for themselves!?

 

Agreed, my effort is here