Modding acrylic effect tips?

Discussion in 'Modding' started by mottl3y, 2 Feb 2005.

  1. mottl3y

    mottl3y What's a Dremel?

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    im looking to make an acrylic case. opaque white, with small patterns shining through - maybe the size of the hole in the middle of a cd. could you please help? my current thoughts are:
    LED's for light behind
    1. white opaque acrylic with:
    a) pattern made of tape/paper/something to block the light
    b) scratch out the pattern
    2. clear acrylic with a coat of white paint:
    a) scratching the pattern out of the paint
    b) not painting the pattern bits, so it's brighter where it would be darker in the other options.

    the problem with 1 is that the supposedly super bright LED doesnt shine through bright enough to make any patterns obvious. 2's problem is that it leaves brush marks, and its not the same opaque feeling.

    any and all suggestions would be most awesome.
     
    mottl3y, 2 Feb 2005
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  2. TomPrudden

    TomPrudden What's a Dremel?

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    How about getting a small kitchen style strip light to go behind it - certainly would be bright enough plus their dirt cheap.
     
    TomPrudden, 2 Feb 2005
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  3. Mattt

    Mattt Minimodder

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    I would suggest go with option 2, but spray paint it (with a spray gun if u can get your hands one one) give it lots and lots of coats to give it a nice finish.

    masking off the bits you want to leave clear/bright (you could give them a light coat if paint if you dont want them to be totaly transparent).
     
    Mattt, 2 Feb 2005
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  4. mottl3y

    mottl3y What's a Dremel?

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    problem being that i want only one of the patterns to be visible, and i want it to pulse, when the computer is off. otherwise this would be perfect

    i would like a thin ring around each of the patterns, and i dont think id be capable of making one, let alone 10 copies of this out of tape. can anyone think of any premade circles/rings or other solutions i could use?

    thanks again guys
     
    Last edited: 3 Feb 2005
    mottl3y, 2 Feb 2005
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  5. mobius9

    mobius9 Minimodder

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    how about a letter O from a sticker set. you know the ones that you can get at arts and crafts stores with the alphabet on them. I'm not sure how small you want them, but it might work
     
    mobius9, 3 Feb 2005
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  6. greywolf

    greywolf What's a Dremel?

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    How about doing a design in Adobe Illustrator or PhotoShop and have a local printer/prepress house print a film positive of it. Or laser print onto transparent material. Then just attach it to the back of the white plexi. I used a simular technique for my case badge.
     
    greywolf, 3 Feb 2005
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  7. rarich

    rarich What's a Dremel?

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    the Hypercube mod on this site is done with almost all plexi for a chassis, I bet you can find a bunch of answers there. Check the articles forum.
     
    rarich, 4 Feb 2005
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  8. mottl3y

    mottl3y What's a Dremel?

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    ive read the whole article, but i dont recall him doing much painting. impressive though, he musta spent a fortune on the acrylic alone.

    cheers folks, ill have a look at some craft stores and that. thanks guys
     
    mottl3y, 4 Feb 2005
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