Case Mod - In Progress "BATTLEFIELD 3" PC Case Mod..... VIDEO Posted Today!

This Case Mod was done by bit-tech's MOTM Sponser, Mnpctech!


Customize your PC or window with custom Stickers from Mnpctech HERE



Fractal-Design's Video of my recent Battlefield 3 Case Mod for Fractal-Design NA... "Arm your Rattle Cans for Camouflage Action!"




Here is the "BF3" theme case mod in anticipation of Battlefield 3: BF3 release on 10.25.2011 by Electronic Arts. Fractal Design's Arc Mid tower case was chosen for the project.



Investigative review of Fractal Design new "Arc" Midi Tower Case.

ThinkComputers.org dropped by my booth at CES to check out BF3



DazMode dropped by my booth at 2012 CES to check out the "BF3" PC for Fractal-Design










Fractal design Arc Mid tower fully dismantled for custom paint.

Here are the final photos from the photo session this week. The PC will be at Fractal-Design's booth at 2012 CES.








I chose PATRIOT MEMORY for our system memory and solid state storage!

Patriot Memory WILDFIRE



Patriot Memory Division 2, VIPER EXTREME, DDR3








The name badge in the bezel was filled with Evercoat's Everglass" Fiberglass "short hair" filler.



After sanding the filler with Medium Grit sandpaper..



Scuffing surface of steel chassis parts, plastic bezel with Red Scothbrite Pad, to create paint adhesion for the Primer.




Dissected and Magnified each segment from camouflage pattern on 8.5" x 11" paper. Each segment was traced and cut in cardboard for individual stencils.



RUSTOLEUM Specialty series "camouflage" paints. I purchased these from Home Depot



Camouflage paint job is finished.



Camouflaged motherboard tray? Yes, the entire interior was painted.



For a rugged military look, we chose these recessed PC case handles, http://www.mnpctech.com/BlackRecessedHandle.html



The recessed PC handles are ready for installation and spring loaded, so they don't flop while transporting your PC.



Using stencil included with handles along with measuring square to determine exact location for the recessed PC handles



Using 1.5" Dremel reinforced cutting wheel to cut opening for recessed PC handles




Using 1/4" drill bit for mounting holes of the recessed handles.



Cutting 3/16" thick aluminum Diamond Plate to use as accent plates for the handles.



Khaki base coat applied to the Diamond Plate accent plates.



Recessed PC handles and diamond plate installed and painted.




Airbrushed effect of side panel being peeled back by <a Mnpctech custom painter, Brad Galvin.



Brad's weapon of choice, Iwata's HP-CH airbrush gun.



Glowing effect airbrushed on the BF3 Marine.



Black outline airbrushed on BF3 Marine. A flat clear will be applied over the finished mural.



with Brad's guidance, I airbrushed the bullet holes and scratched paint effects on the access panel. I started with the easy task of filling the BF3 stencil on the left side panel.







To create bullet holes in the cast acrylic PC window sheet, using #9901 Dremel Attachment Tungsten Carbide Cutter for Engraving



Using Dremel to create bullet holes...



The illusion of bullet holes, created in the custom paint and made in the cast acrylic PC window sheet




Just a few more details to take care of, then we can install the system!

Updated 10/16/11

Thanks! More detailing ahead..



I'm adding lil weathering beneath rack handles



rack handles for bezel, give it more "field equipment" look



I torn-up scotch-brite pads are great for adding blotchy or speckled paint effect..



After I airbrushed over the Orange paint areas.... I also shaded over the "BF3" text...



Ok, now it's Break time, Who is open at 11pm? hmm White Castle SLIDERS!

and check out Mnpctech's new fan grill for 200mm / 230mm cooling fans, http://www.mnpctech.com/200mm_230mm_fan_grill.html



We need more Billet Bullet Thumbscrews! these will be lodged in the window holes...

Painting the machined aluminum bullet thumbscrews to look more authentic.





I also plan to sleeve the Power Supply Cables with one of these custom white PSU cable sleeve kits

24 Pin ATX Power Supply Removal & Molex Pin Extractor Tools when custom sleeving your Power Supply and Molex connectors.







I'm using these Fan vibration rubber grommets to mount the fan



I use a Micro Flat head screw driver to install the Fan vibration rubber grommets.



Give the fan hole a professional look by installing

U-channel rubber trim



The U-channel molding will cover any mistakes or scratches made while cutting the fan hole.​

#10-5/8 Black cooling fan screws

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Looks tits


Now make me one

 

Very snazzy Can't wait to see it running BF3 too haha

 

Awesome! I like these kind of mods!

 

Looks good!

 

Brilliant job!

 

But will it play Crysis? Bah..

Very nice! I really envy the art of airbrushing! I couldn't draw anything if my life depended on it!

Btw. When you paint letters, like the "BF3" - Do you just use normal paper/cardboard and cut it? Or do you use something selfadhesive?

 

Thanks for the comments guys!

You def have the creative skills dude! Like anything else, it just takes practice. Get yrself and Airbrush, Iwata's HP-CH airbrush gun is nice..and just play around with it. It's also great for small paint touch-ups, especially for adding tiny details, like the weathered effect on the crevices of the case. Once I got the used to modulating the pressure, it became 2nd nature. You have to remember, that Brad was an illustrator before he started painting, so he can do decent freehand artwork. Altho a great deal of Professional airbrush artists use their own custom made stencils, made on a plotter or professional commercial stencils, not because they can't illustrate, but because it saves time, and time is money... Brad uses them as well, depending on the job.

Yeah, it's vinyl masking made with 24" Roland Vinyl Film Plotter.

 

Thats wicked, looks like it should be mounted inside a tank It's got a proper tough bomb proof look about it. I like the way you've done the bullet holes as well...Top modding yet again Bill..

One thing I don't understand. In the 2nd pic down you've stuck the entire case and some more bits to the wall...Why??....lol

 

very nice man

 

if your not lucky enough to have 24" Roland Vinyl Film Plotter laying around

there is a semi-perm spray adhesive you can pick up at most art shops around the world ... don't quote me on this but its often used to throw up a stencil and remove soon after

 

@bulldogjeff, it does look that way...haha

@keir, Thank you for the post!

@RedManc, good tip! thank you! I actually planned to do digi-camo, but I've had a lot of people ask me about doing a video on using those spray bombs in a guide, so the diy guide morphed into this build.

 

That's awesome work...! Mannnn I wish I could do something like that. Any chance you selling the case or giving it away???

 

I love the art work and the bullet holes the most!

 

Wow this looks great, but I think the BF3 Marking/logo could do with some weathering, it looks to neat and clean compared to the rest of the case.

 

im looking forward to the military class hardware
also you must paint the PSU if it is not already done

 

Really Nice Case ! Love the Window Mod,can I ask how the Acrylic Window and that Bracket were installed on the side Panel. I think this is the First time I have seen this and I would Like to learn more about it, Thank You for youre time. Another Great Build

 

Very nicely done!

 

Very, very nice work and a lot of attention to detail.

 

nice work