Modding Memorex keyboard mod - my first

Discussion in 'Modding' started by Grump, 3 Apr 2002.

  1. Grump

    Grump The Mad Modder

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    Yep, Spring has sprung.

    I wonder how many people realize that dreary days produce dreary paint jobs? Don't paint when the humidity is too high or it's raining -- unless you're enclosed in a warm, dry area (don't fergit circulation though).

    Grump
     
  2. Grump

    Grump The Mad Modder

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    Well, another dreary weekend. I did manage to get a coat of clear on the board though. I also got some chrome look goin' on with the keys -- I only plan to do the Shift, Enter and Spacebar keys. I'm not done, but here's what is so far:

    [​IMG]
    Clockwise from the top: Monitor control panel, Enter, Shift and Spacebar, monitor power button, case power button, and the release buttons for the upper bezel of the case.

    It's turning out pretty nice. Wish I had more to show.
     
    Last edited: 28 Jul 2005
  3. GunDam

    GunDam Minimodder

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    Wow ! Thats looking well Schweeeet! Grump could u post some close ups of those chromed items...I'd like to see the quality :dude:
     
  4. Grump

    Grump The Mad Modder

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    GunDam, I didn't mean to ignore you. I'm sorry I didn't post another pic of the chrome for ya.

    [​IMG]

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    Howzat? The chrome tape (Flexi-Chrome) turned out good, but I found out the buttons wouldn't fit in their tight little holes. So, I had to take off the tape and paint the buttons with "chrome spray paint". It ain't **** compared to the tape or even the real thing (the metal parts here are nickel plated), but they'll have to do if I wanna turn this machine on an' off.

    I wish I could add more on the keyboard, but the weather has been very crappy these past few weeks, so I can't get any clear coats on. After that, I'll be doing some lighting effects.
     
    Last edited: 28 Jul 2005
  5. Grump

    Grump The Mad Modder

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    Well, I finally caught a break and we're havin' some good weather. I had to repaint ever'thing because I painted in the wind and screwed my paint job up. I broke down an' bought a spray gun and a carport tent and I like the results much better. The pics below are after 3 coats of primer, 4 coats of metallic green and 4 coats of clear. I don't know how many hours I have in sanding alone, but at least I didn't have to sand between the color coats (you can't sand metallics unless you wanna start over).

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    As you can see, there are a few "chromed" keys -- the Flexi-Chrome that I got from TapeWorks turned out real nice. It's the next best thing to having the plastic parts chrome plated, but I don't know where to get that done (regular platers don't usually do plastic).

    I put the thing back together last night, but a lot of the keys stuck. I guess it was too many coats of paint. I took it apart, filed each hole and lubed the keys with Labelle 106, a plastic compatible lubricating grease with PTFE that I picked up at a hobby store. After getting it back together, I feel a little difference in the touch, but it works fine.

    I haven't done any lights yet. That will have to wait. I also did not change the LEDs to blue -- this is a metallic green machine and the green LEDs look great with it.

    The trackball is done too. It's hard to rell with these damn pics, but the trackball is a shade lighter than the keyboard and, in 3D, the two look sweet together. The buttons are "chromed on it too. I did have to leave the ball blue though.

    The rest of the machine is coming along fine.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I'll post more pics when it's done.
     
    Last edited: 28 Jul 2005
  6. Jamie

    Jamie ex-Bit-Tech code junkie

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    Nice work m8 ... is that a stone effect on the mobo tray?
     
  7. Grump

    Grump The Mad Modder

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    Sorry, SpiKe, that's a pretty blurry picture. It's called Trunk Paint. It's a gray/white/black splatter type of paint and it has a heavy texture. It actually looks good in 3D.

    Grump
     
  8. GunDam

    GunDam Minimodder

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    Wow Grump that project is looking ever so sweeeeeeeeeet.

    Can't wait to see it once its finished !!!!! Keep up the excellent work m8 !
     
  9. Jamie

    Jamie ex-Bit-Tech code junkie

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    I was looking at that paint a while back and was wondering how a case would look with a stone theme :D

    Looking forward to more pics ;)
     
  10. Lazy

    Lazy Meow?

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    will be getting me some of that chrome paint :D

    one thing you could do is do a neon string keyboard as they look really cool. Mine only took me 30 mins to do.
     
  11. tk421

    tk421 Idiot.

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    wow. i want my monitor to look like a bass boat too!!!! that paint job is really nice, grump.
     
  12. Ace_03

    Ace_03 What's a Dremel?

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    that is sooo sweet dude, what would be neat... do the inside of a case like that, or... how about everything!!!!!!!!
     

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