Scratch Build – In Progress *** PHINIX CHIMERA *** - 07/11/16- final photos - COMPLETED !!!

Can of black in one hand, can of silver in the other, and give it an uneven dusting of shiny?

 

Two colors, you're saying?
Maybe brass and graphite together? Or gold and graphite?

No, you're right - silver and black, or silver and graphite, so I would get roughly this kind of effect, right?



I was thinking, maybe this paint - stealth color Montana Gold

Then use this varnish for clear layer.

I'm thinking, I could go with just that dark color, then use rough sand paper to get alu back up with rough lines. Then cover it with clear varnish.

What do you mean by uneven dusting of shiny?

 

Or should I use marble effect?!!

https://www.montana-cans.com/en/how-to-use/effect-sprays/marble-effect

http://www.fatbuddhastore.com/spray...-white-marble-effect-spray-paint-400ml-p13571



Brush panels first with rough sand paper (100 or even 80), then spray it all that stealth color, then spray it with white marble effect, then brush it lightly, then varnish cover?

 

I think what he meant by "dusting of shiny" is literally dusting with shiny particles.

I feel the marble idea. However, for me, the brushed effect really goes well with metal look, not so much with other types of materials (real or simulated). If you choose to go with marble polish the surfaces, and I mean mirror. Then marble it, varnish, and polish, then varnish and polish again.

 

Aaa.. ok... I guess marble would look better on mirror finish alu panels.
So in this case it's a no - I don't want a mirror finish.

Waynio, when he was working on Midlag Crisis build, he manually dyed his alu pieces.
One of the moments, when he actually was sanding off one of his attempts, he showed some panels. This is the effect I want to achieve, but with black/graphite paint.



..just with more paint..

Something like maybe this, just less paint



Something like this...
So, first brush it, then paint, then brush again, then varnish...



I cannot find exact effect I'm after, but let's say it would be painted panel with course sanded lines...


OR... I could spray it and after a minute take a cloth and kinda swipe it... so brushed lines will keep the paint in them, just top surface will be wiped...

... I don't know.. need to practice it this weekend.

Now, away to paint shop to get graphite paint and clear gloss varnish...

 

If I understood correctly, you want the weathered look with dual colours and keeping the brushed look is also required.

In that case, here's how I'd do it:

1) Brush it as deep/rough as possible;

2) Spray both of the colours in as thin as possible layers (letting the first layer cure thoroughly before applying the second);

3) Brush the surface again revealing the first colour layer where you want it (the whole surface still needs to be brushed only more intensive where you want the under-layer exposed, also, brush grain at this step I cannot predict since it depends on the particular look you seek as well as the paint thickness)

4) Apply as thin as possible shiny layer, it can be just lacquer, varnish or even something with shiny micro-particles. (this step is crucial since you want to retain the brushing grooves and the way they reflect light but still offer some shine to do the actual reflection since the rough paint underneath will not be very reflective. At the same time this layer will offer some protection)


The way I see it even if you brush too hard and reveal some of the metal in the process it still should be able to blend in with the desired look and feel.



Edit:

That log (Midlag Crisis) was a much " plus rep" experience as well as an example of hard work. Even though I wasn't a member at the time, I actually read the whole log.

 

Cool, that's what I'm going to do, thank you for advice
I like how you called it - "weathered look", exactly what I want to achieve

I think the second color - will be actual aluminum below. I think I can just apply graphite color on it, then brush it again, like you said, to bring back the aluminum lines.
Clear shiny varnish will be applied after.


About Waynio's log - that was a truly work of art, I loved to watch it when it was a ongoing project.
Don't know if you know, but unfortunately Waynio passed away this year. His work will never be forgotten on this forum.

 

I'm back with nice cans of paint

Changed main paint color to SLATE.
When saw them in a shop, it looked better, like gun-metal/graphite color. That Stealth I wanted in first place was too bright. I needed a darker grey that will nicely make a contrast with aluminum color.

 

I like Super's idea, but I think I'd brush the second coat of paint on and don't load a lot of paint in the brush. That way it sort of fades out by the end of the stroke like in that second example pic, the less paint one. And you could vary the weathered look with pressure on the brush.

 

Yeah, I was going to say the effect on the Igloo logo is silver drybrushing, what Insolent described.

 

Aaaaaa... ok

You confused me, you little... confuser

 

Small update again.
During the week I managed to sit down and do all the tapping!
Yep, 12 holes done in one sitting, while watching The Spotlight.






All holes done, very happy with the result and quality.

 

UPDATE TIME!

I had my birthday this weekend and spent some "myself-time" working in my shed


After I got those rods threaded, I put it all together and installed panels on the frame.








To mount AIO cooler radiator with fan, I made those L shape mount frames for it.




Cut them out using dremel...








How they will be mounted on fan.




Holes drilled and mounted...




This is how its going to be mounted - it goes in between mobo frame L shaped rods.
Now, you can see the gaps between - I'm going to use rubber grommets to "slide" the whole fan+radiator into the frame, so it will kinda slide down on rubbers.




There were a bit too long, hitting mobo in the back, so had to trim them few mm...






Next was to actually cut out last, 4th panel. The one which will have vent holes for PSU and AIO cooler radiator.
Design, including holes...




Drilled support holes and started cutting it with jigsaw...




That looks rough!



Started filling it down.. this will be a long process... Will finish during a week...





Now, I got the spray paint, so wanted to try it out.
I brushed some alu bit and painted it, let to dry for 3 hours on the sun, then sanded the paint a bit.



Not ideal, but that bottom part looks exactly how I want it to look.
Problem was as soon as I started sanding paint, it stayed on the sanding paper and didn't sand anymore. So had to change paper each stroke,that is why I got "stains" instead of nice smooth even result... it can be uneven, but not that much, so I got stains without paint and then some nice bits of just scratched paint... Do you know what I mean?

I will have to find out how to do it on whole big panels. This small bit was easy to brush, but when it comes to full panels (18x30cm) it may be difficult...

Till next time

 

Huge update today

Why huge? Cause I was really busy in last few months (family stuff).
I did some work on the case last month but didn't have time to write an update, so now we get all in one

First of all, month ago I received a huge parcel from Silverstone!




Silverstone was so kind, they sent me these fantastic products:


Small Form Factor PSU - SX600-G SFX!




Spare short cables set for the PSU PP05-E - so I can cut it up to lengths I need inside the Chimera.




AIO CPU cooler - TD03-E




Two FN123 slim 120mm fans to mount in Chimera and AIO cooler




Thank you very much, Siverstone!


I took this little bad boy and already drilled holes for it - look how small it is, mounted in the case!









Now, update work.

It was time to build a graphic card holder.
Here is a small aluminium rectangle that will hold GPUs I/O plate.




Two holes drilled and screws in place...
Nuts are in as a spacers.




Rectangle drilled and in place...




Dome nuts on... just for now, temporary solution.




Now, GPU I/O plate mounted in it.




Now, I need top bit for other end. Small L shape alu profile cut and drilled.




Small rectangle hole filed out






..and here I/O plate screwed in.
You can see how this top bracket works - gives a hole to screw GPU to the case.






Now, something else.
As you saw, I decided to get rid of 4th main rod.
Instead of that, I have made corner bits, so I could screw the panels to those.

Wee triangles...




..and thick L shape...




Had to drill holes, so I could trim it down a bit.. sooo thick...




I used JD-Weld glue to put those together. VERY strong stuff - and good for temps up to 300C!
So it's all good for me to take it to powder coating place









Now, when I got JD-Weld, I decided to make this little GPU holding bracket more like one-piece thing.
Took small nuts and glued them to the bracket, so it didn't need those lose dome nut anymore!











Then went back to corners.. looking good!













Next was to use those mounting brackets for AIO radiator fan I made before.
Added rubber gromets...














..and that was it!
Basically finished most of the hard work.
It was time to put all things together...




..including feet!




At the end I decided to go with powder coating.

I know I know... I bought some spray paints etc, tried them out and decided that I will achieve best result with powder coat. I'm not a good painter and playing around with effects never ended up ok, so went back to trusted powder..

I found a local shop that did that for me quickly. Very goo quality. I got it back in a week.

I flat packed it...






..and took it away to powder coating place.


After a week i got it back.

here it is!


Sparkle METALLIC TITANIUM !


...+ my new cat - Fargo






















































...and fully assembled. ( I think my camera added some distortion to some of these photos)














Some inside photos







I took first slim 120mm fan and mounted it in.










Next will be mounting feet and this little bad boy



Stay tuned!

 

The force is strong with this one.

I sensed this one coming these days.
Although I'm not a fan of glossy finish it does look kind of... otherwordly.

Keep'em coming !

 

Cheers

I love powder coating in general. Love the feel of coat surrounding the element, feels so thick and protective

So far I used to use only satin finish, but this project needed something shiny, something shouting.. so went for sparkling gloss. Titanium was a choice, cause wanted something not really black, but very dark.

 

I like it !!

But ...what about external screws ?
Are you going to paint them in some way or change them ?

 

Cheers

I was going to leave them like they are. I like the metal finish n those panels.
I have graphite spray paint, may use this, not sure yet.

 

Very nice finish dude. I'll admit I actually didn't like it before you got it finished but the finish really makes it look lovely. Very accomplished work

 

Hi, what a paint finishbut paint the screws pleas