Hi! As in title, I am planning to buy the Lian Li PC-V1110A (the silver model). To me it is the most elegant and stylish case ever made, but I want to mod it to enhance its aesthetics even further. ----------------------- Here is what I plan to do: 1) Please view these pictures: As you can see, that the front door, which is entirely silver, is supported in its top and bottom by two black fixtures. I want to change the color of those black fixtures to the same silver, anodized brushed-aluminum color of the front door and the rest of the case. Is is crucial that those fixtures (after the modding) will have the exact same (silver) hue/color of the rest of the case and the main door, while maintaing the feel, look and texture of anodized, brushed aluminum - like the rest of the case. I aim for a look as professional and homogenous as in the Lian Li PC-A20: As you can see, the fixtures that support the front door, both the upper and the lower, are painted with the same silver color similarly to the front door and the rest of the case, and it is obvious that it has the look, feel and texture of anodized, brushed aluminum. Thus, they beatifully blend with the rest of the case. This is of course a picture of the case as it comes out of the factory, but that is level of finish I am aiming for, and that is what I hope to achieve with my PC-V1110 modding. ---------------------- 2) I want to remove the "LIAN LI" logo/letters from the top of the case, without damaging the top surface and its looks. The above picture could indicate on how the logo is attached to the case. I want to achieve the cleanest look possible, and the logo damages the pure, monolithic look of the top surface. I want the removal of the logo to be so professional and natural so it will look like the logo was never there in the first place. ----------------------- 3) The ventilation holes on both sides of the front door are very visible, and the dark color (the result of the hollow space between the front door and actual case front) damages the clean silver look of the rest of the case. I want to stealth those holes - to make them as less apparent as possible. Is it possible? I thought of applying a silver/grey, airy material beneath the wholes. ----------------------- 1) Is all the above achieveable? 2) Is it hard to do? (I have no knowledge or experience of modding) 3) Should I hire a professional? 4) Will a modding like the above be difficult for a professional modder? Thanks in advance!
1) To get the same silver color as the rest, that would be pretty difficult. You would be looking at re-painting/coating/anodizing the complete case. You could however simply redo those black parts in silver, but it would be hard to get the exact same color. 2) I believe the logo is simply pasted on the case, so it should come off pretty easy. Read this topic, it's about removing the badge. 3) The black is simply the shadow made by the enclosure, i think the lightning in that photo is simply magnifying the shadow. If it is that dark in real-life, i don't think there's anything you can do about it. I certainly wouldn't plug the holes. It's for ventilation afterall. 1) Is all the above achieveable? I don't think the last one is... The two above (1 and 2) are. 2) Is it hard to do? (I have no knowledge or experience of modding) 1:Requires some skill/money. If you decide on painting the parts you could do it yourself, powdercoating or anodizing can be done in some shops. 2: Not hard to do at all. 3: No comment. 3) Should I hire a professional? You could consider hiring a professional for #1 4) Will a modding like the above be difficult for a professional modder? No comment, i wouldn't know.
1) Why would the re-painting/coating/anodizing the complete case necessary? The black-to-silver transformation I am planning to conduct will be applied only to the two black fixtures support the front door at the bottom and top. Those are easily removable, and then I can mod them. 2) Regarding the ventilation holes: Sealing or masking them is of course out of the question. I was thinking about applying a grey/silvery mesh/dust filter (a material airy enough to allow airflow) just under the holes. That will probably lighten the shadow considerably. * I am willing to invest as much as necessary in the modding. - If I'll invest enough money, will it promise the exact silver, brushed anodized aluminum on the black fixtures? And thanks a lot, your input is VERY appreciated.
your plans are simple, the badge is easy to remove, i would use anything sharp as you'll scratch the surface. the logo is held on with padded double sided tape, much like car badges. i would remove it using a solvent that breaks down glue. Could you also wrap those images in tags so at least we don't have to click all of them snip edit did it for you Right simple mod for you to do. those door brackets are anodised aluminium, i cant tell if its all aluminium so you'll have to check. You can strip the black anodise off with oven cleaner, which will give you bare aluminium to polish or do as you wish to it. look here
yeah, sorry i was rushing to get the post out. a credit card might help you get you're finger nails under it and pull it off.
I know, but it will be difficult to make the new silver parts have the exact same color as the rest, therefor; re-coloring the complete case will ensure it all to have the same color. All things inserted/stuck behind those holes will temper with the ventilation. That said, if you go for watercooling you could do so, if not, i would not recommend it. Yes, with enough money/effort invested it will.
So what would be the absolute best way to re-paint the black fixtures to silver? Is there a definitive guide to that? (I must know specifically what tools and methods to use).
Please look at this: Those are photos of the silver Lian Li PC-A20 (A) case. The front door mechanism is essentially the same as in the PC-V1110 (too bad the cases are not in the same width though, as I could have ordered the PC-A20 silver fixtures separately, as spare parts, and install them in the PC-V1110). Note the silver fixtures/plates that support the front door at the bottom and the top. This is EXACTLY what I aim for. That's the EXACT anodized, brushed, silver finish I hope to achieve in my modding. If the modding's result will look as good as this, the once-black-fixtures of the PC-V1110 will blend perfectly with the rest of the case. Quoted from Lian-Li's website, PC-V1110 product page: "Lian Li put a lot of effect on the external finishing, all the external parts in hair-line brush anodized aluminum with solid aluminum extrusion door in sandblasted finishing, all chassis with no sharp edges!" "... PC-V1110 still have the hair-line brush anodized & sandblasted aluminum finishing..." " ... Using 2mm to 1.2mm thick aluminum panel formed to this unique design in hair-line brushed anodized aluminum metallic finishing, with a solid aluminum extrusion door panel in sandblasted finishing." So, is it possible to convert the black fixtures to silver, while retaining the "hair-line brushed", anodized, "sand-blasted" finish, look, and feel? The front door support plates/fixtures are also made of aluminum, in hair-line brushed, anodized, and sand-blasted finish, like the rest of the case. PS - What is extrusion door? (specifically in the context of modding) Thanks a lot for your input.
''extrusion door'' Extrusion is the process to create a uniform cross-sectional profile in a material. playdoh uses extrusion Aluminium use it,
So, in conclusion: Should I use the guide that you have mentioned? / Do this: "Right simple mod for you to do. those door brackets are anodised aluminium, i cant tell if its all aluminium so you'll have to check. You can strip the black anodise off with oven cleaner, which will give you bare aluminium to polish or do as you wish to it." I think I would rather to hire a professional to do the job. How can I identify that I'm dealing with a professional modder/craftsman and not a fraud? Are there any precautionary measures for that? Thanks
ask for previous examples of there work, a professional like MNPC tech, or chilled PC / watercooling UK depending on where your based.
But if I'll eventually decide to do this alone, Should I do this: "Right simple mod for you to do. those door brackets are anodised aluminium, i cant tell if its all aluminium so you'll have to check. You can strip the black anodise off with oven cleaner, which will give you bare aluminium to polish or do as you wish to it."
yes; as told you before; you should do 'this'. and if you are not sure; buy a pair of front door support plates extra together with your case and try out the oven cleaner or other methods you come by. let us know what worked for you!
That's brilliant; I didn't thought of that. I'll try to get hold (Maybe directly through Lian Li or any of its dealers) of an extra pair of support plates; and they'll be my test bed. I guess that in a simple procedure such as re-painting even a major mistake is reversible? After all, it's just paint. I have an additional question: The aluminum front-door support plates we are discussing, are, according to Lian-Li, "hair line brushed", and "anodized". These properties, of course, create a very elegant look, and also feel, because the texture is nicer than simple aluminum or metal (IMO). I was wondering - Do the brushed/anodized properties of the aluminum are an integral, inseparable trait of the aluminum? In other words, like stainless steel which will forever be noncorrosive (unless changed by a chemical procedure; but you get the point), does brushed/anodized aluminum stay like so forever as soon as its created? I mean, will the re-painting strip them of the brushed/anodized characteristics? Furthermore, Lian Li states that the case features "sandblasted finishing". What is exactly, and how can I achieve it? How does it differ from other finish types? Will re-painting the support plates damage the sandblast finish? Thanks in advance. Regards
Oh come on, you cant google sandblasting FFS. It leaves a satin like finish resulting in a uniform look. Also anodizing is just a surface treatment of the natural oxide layer that aluminium always has, they use the hair line finish to hide any small imperfections in the aluminium and as anodizing is a pain to give a nice uniform look, the hairline finish help hide any blemishes. Paint wont damage anything but the removal of paint can damage surfaces be you scrapping it or using a chemical stripper. I don't wish to be rude, but you really need to expand your googling skills before posting such questions. Anodizing is a surface treatment, much like paint meaning you can sand it back to bare aluminium, or dissolve it with oven cleaner.
