First Color Tests & MDPC-X Order Hi everyone! I’ve just placed an order with MDPC-X for all the sleeving gear I need for the custom cables in my Star Citizen mod: premium sleeves, color sample packs, and transparent micro heatshrinks for super clean and precise finishes. I’ve also started testing some cable color combinations for ATX, EPS, PCI-E, SATA, and Molex cables. It's still early, but here are some first visual mockups As always, I'm aiming for full aesthetic and functional customization—right down to the wiring! Let me know what you think about the color schemes! I’d love to hear your feedback, suggestions, or ideas.
Hey everyone! After a bit of behind-the-scenes work, here’s a slightly different update. I’ve started working on the aesthetic side of the mod, experimenting with custom stencils and graphics for component detailing. For this, I dusted off my trusty old Silhouette Cameo 2 – outdated, yes, but still getting the job done like a champ! In the pics you’ll see: ✂️ Vinyl cutting in progress Manual weeding with precision knives First test application on a radiator surface I designed graphics inspired by the RSI Polaris, including: "POLARIS – Danger Engine" "RSI" "RAD X 360MM" and more tech-styled visuals to replicate the vibe of a real starship subsystem. It’s still an experimental phase, but so far I’m happy: "Clean details, good vinyl grip – a solid start for the upcoming airbrush stage." Got suggestions for other decals, logos, or phrases? I’d love to hear your ideas below!
Radiator Stencil & Paint Test Today I started the first stencil painting test on one of the radiators. The goal of this phase is to evaluate: stencil hold during application and painting edge sharpness after removal readability of small graphics behavior of the paint on a clean, untreated metal surface Materials and tools used: Metallic silver acrylic paint Custom-cut adhesive vinyl stencils Airbrush with a 0.3 mm nozzle (low pressure) Masking tape for isolated protection The radiator was cleaned thoroughly, but no primer or sanding was applied. Application method: After placing the stencil and masking the surroundings, I sprayed a few light, crossed passes with the airbrush, letting it dry between layers. Once the paint was dry to the touch, I carefully removed the stencil to evaluate: whether the edges remained sharp if the small text was still legible whether the vinyl held firmly or lifted during the process Precision and challenge: The details in this test are as small as 0.6 mm – extremely fine. Getting clean results with such small elements is not easy, especially using non-professional tools and being still quite new to airbrushing. But challenges like these don’t scare me – let’s see how it turns out!
Star Citizen PC Mod – Detail Painting Update: Italian Flag & More Progress continues with the stencil and paintwork! This time, I focused on applying some of the smallest details, like the Italian flag, scaled down to fit on the side of the main radiator. Process: precise masking of the target areas; application of previously cut stencils; direct airbrush painting with colored inks; careful stencil removal after drying. Important note: the size of the painted details – like the flag stripes – is on the millimeter scale. I'm not using professional tools, and this is actually my first time working with an airbrush. That said, the result came out surprisingly clean: no bleeding or overspray; sharp separation between colors; stencils held tight during the process! The RSI logo, the tricolor and the rest of the technical markings are integrating well with the Polaris-themed build. Let me know what you think! If you have ideas for additional markings, symbols or functional labels, I’d love to hear them. I’m not afraid of challenges—every day’s a new learning experience
Hey everyone! Sorry for the silence these past few days – I had a small surgery (nothing serious!), but recovery slowed me down a bit. Still, I’ve kept working on the build when possible, just at a slower pace. Specifically, I tested the first airbrush paint on one of the radiators, as shown in my previous post, using vinyl paper cut with the Silhouette Cameo as stencil. As expected, that material isn’t meant for this purpose, and some of the fine details were torn away during peeling, which compromised part of the result. That said, the test was very useful to understand: how the stencil behaves on slightly curved surfaces how well the edges hold up during spraying how vinyl adheres to untreated surfaces I’ve therefore decided to completely remake the graphics, improving proportions, detailing, and composition structure. ✅ I also purchased the proper stencil masking paper, far more resistant to tearing, with better grip and control – much more suitable for this kind of work. The images show: the final digital layout of the updated graphics the precise cut using the new paper the application on the radiator, ready for a new paint session I’ll share the final result as soon as I can. In the meantime, if you have suggestions on materials or techniques for handling ultra-fine details (some parts are less than 1 mm thick!), I’m all ears. Thanks to everyone supporting this Star Citizen-themed mod!
Here’s an important update on the mod. After some testing and fine-tuning, I’ve completed the application of the updated stencils on all radiators. Stencils These were completely redesigned in terms of proportions, detail, and scale, to perfectly fit the radiator’s surface. They were cut from vinyl using a Silhouette Cameo and carefully applied to ensure perfect alignment and adhesion – even across curved areas. Final Paint Job To achieve a finish aligned with the Star Citizen aesthetic, I created a custom mix of metallic paints in various tones and iridescent pigments – with no black base layer whatsoever. The result? Depending on how the light hits the surface, it reflects iridescent highlights reminiscent of spaceship modules in space – with dynamic shifts resembling ceramic coatings and thermal tiles. Technical Details Some of the lines are as thin as 0.6 mm – quite the challenge, especially without professional tools and as a first-time airbrush user. Once the paint had dried to the touch, I carefully removed the stencils to assess: edge sharpness masking precision paint adhesion even on ultra-fine details The photos clearly showcase the final result: the graphics are clean, sharp, and seamlessly integrated on the surface. Ambient light brings everything to life, revealing new tones and reflections from every angle.
Hello Commanders! Here’s another project update I’ve been working on lately: the custom aesthetic design of the SATA SSDs, which will act as secondary storage in the build. Of course, they’ll be paired with high-speed NVMe SSDs for the OS and main applications. Design & Concept Since these drives will be clearly visible in the front section of the mod, I wanted to give them a look inspired by the Star Citizen universe. So I designed custom graphics in AutoCAD, which will be: cut using a vinyl plotter turned into multilayered stencils and finally airbrushed in layers to bring the design to life. Inspiration The concept is directly inspired by RSI (Roberts Space Industries), mixed with: Military HUD styling Engineering interfaces Command modules or security badges The hexagonal layout, circuit-like details and central icon reflect the aesthetics of ship modules and identification systems. Technical Details The central logo will be painted using copper/gold gradients, with iridescent and metallic pigments to simulate the shine of spaceship metals. The second layout includes the RSI lettering and a tricolor accent, paying tribute to the Made in Italy soul of this build. Main color palette: Dark grey + light grey Tech-style blue accents Metallic layers & iridescent reflections Here’s a preview of the current graphics being developed in AutoCAD: These visuals will soon be applied to the SSD shells using precision stencils and airbrush, staying aesthetically consistent with the rest of the mod. Let me know what you think! Do you have any ideas for symbols, modules or extra visual layers I could integrate?
Update – Custom SATA SSDs (Phase 2) Hi everyone, here’s a quick update on the aesthetic customization process of the SATA SSDs, which will be installed in a visible section of the build and are therefore being refined visually as well. 1. Removal of factory labels The SSDs were disassembled to safely remove the original manufacturer labels. Each label was gently heated and peeled off to avoid leaving residue and to preserve the integrity of the external shell. ✂️ 2. Plotter-cut stencils I’ve completed the plotter cutting of the stencils, based on the graphics developed in CAD. These will be used for precise masking and for building up the paint layers during the airbrushing phase. 3. First stencil application & paint – Layer 1 The first stencil has been applied and the initial paint layer has been sprayed using a metallic base enriched with interference pigments. Depending on how the light hits the surface, subtle iridescent reflections begin to appear – a look reminiscent of engineered surfaces or modular ship panels in the Star Citizen universe. I’ll soon share an update with the next paint layers and the final result. Feedback and ideas are always welcome.
New preview from the Star Citizen-themed mod – Custom GPU Backplate! Hi everyone! I’d like to share a new preview from my ongoing Star Citizen-themed PC mod. This time, it’s all about the custom GPU backplate, entirely designed from scratch in AutoCAD, and now ready for paint using handmade stencil masks. Key elements of the design: SQUADRON 42 At the top left, the logo of Squadron 42, the iconic single-player campaign from Star Citizen. It’s a tribute to the narrative and military core of the universe, as well as to my personal love for immersive, technical aesthetics. RSI POLARIS SILHOUETTE On the right side, the full silhouette of the RSI Polaris, the main inspiration for this mod. The shape was manually vectorized to preserve its proportions, with a stealth-like, functional design approach. RTX 4090 The powerhouse of the build: the GeForce RTX 4090. The badge-style graphic features futuristic tech lines, fully aligned with the RSI style and Star Citizen’s industrial design language. MADE IN ITALY A personal touch I couldn’t leave out: the Italian tricolor at the bottom highlights the origin of the project, the craftsmanship behind it, and the passion for detail that defines Italian creativity. Technique and process: All elements were created in AutoCAD 2D, then exported as stencil cut files to apply layers of paint via airbrush on pre-treated surfaces. This technique ensures sharp edges, long-lasting adhesion, and seamless integration with the overall theme of the mod. I’ll soon share updates on the painting process and final assembly! As always, any feedback or suggestions are very welcome. Thanks a lot for following and supporting this journey!
First Layer Done! | Star Citizen Mod – RTX 4090 The first coat of paint has been applied to the backplate, using the stencils designed in AutoCAD. This was a delicate step, carried out with airbrush and precision masking, to begin bringing the Squadron 42 and Polaris-inspired design to life. The Italian flag proudly seals the work — a tribute to Made in Italy modding. In the upcoming stages, we’ll move forward with additional layers, shading, and final detailing. The project is progressing, and the vision is starting to take shape!
Painting Progress – Metallic Details Added Project: Star Citizen Mod – GPU Backplate Customization With the silhouette already completed in the previous step, this update focused on applying the first metallic grey highlights, laying the foundation for the multi-layered paint finish. ️ Tasks completed: Removed main masking after base shape was finished Re-masked for targeted detailing Applied matte metallic grey spray paint to define outer panel structures ✨ Visual impact: This layer adds depth and contrast, emphasizing the industrial aesthetic of the Star Citizen universe through the interplay between matte black and metallic tones. Next steps: Application of colored details (blue, orange, white) Final protective clear coat
✨ Star Citizen Mod – Second Paint Phase: Level 2 Stencil and Blue Accents The work continues on the Star Citizen-inspired mod, entering the second paint phase, focused on applying the blue accent details using a custom-designed multi-layer stencil. ️ This update highlights the outcome of the level 2 stencil production, a key step in defining the contrast and geometry of the visual design. The process demanded extreme precision — in several areas, the painted lines are less than half a millimeter thick, requiring careful execution during both masking and airbrushing. This blue layer completes the visual contrast of the mod, seamlessly integrating with the previously finished base coat. The images clearly showcase the result on two of the system’s most prominent components: The GPU, fully painted and masked through multiple passes The SSDs, treated as narrative-driven design elements inspired by RSI (Roberts Space Industries) Special attention was paid to the symmetry and visual consistency of the entire layout. Each component contributes to the graphic narrative of the mod, without compromising surface clarity or structural coherence.
Update #03 – Backplate and SSD Detail Painting Work continues with the painting of selected elements on the GPU backplate and decorative SSDs. In this step I refined: "Squadron 42" logo: Highlighted with a contrasting color, fully aligned with the build’s palette. Lion symbol: A key emblem of Star Citizen’s Concierge Program, reserved for high-tier backers, now featured on the SSDs. All elements were masked using plotter-cut stencils on ultra-thin vinyl, allowing for extremely precise airbrush application. Paints used were acrylic-based, selected specifically for matte black surfaces and to ensure compatibility with the upcoming clear coat layer. Color scheme: All tones were chosen to maintain consistency with the build’s visual identity, balancing highlight elements with clean, technical lines.
Update #04 – RTX 4090 Backplate Completed Work on the Star Citizen-themed mod is progressing. In this update, I’ve finished painting and detailing the RTX 4090 backplate. Completed details: Painted the "Squadron 42" logo, a key reference to the single-player campaign of the game Added the Italian flag, a subtle personal touch within the design Finalized the overall backplate finish, now consistent with the build’s clean and technical look Result photos Feedback I’d love to hear your thoughts. Would you have done anything differently? Every comment or suggestion is appreciated—I'm putting great care into every detail. More updates coming soon!
Star Citizen Mod – Update 03 | SSD – Final Design Completed Just finished the final stage of work on the decorative SSD modules for the build. After cutting the last stencil layers using the plotter, I completed the paint job and all the final aesthetic details. Everything is reassembled: this is the definitive design, not a prototype or early version. Completed steps: Painted the central lion emblem, a direct reference to the Concierge program in Star Citizen. Used multi-layer stencils made with the plotter to ensure precise masking for each element. Applied a clean finish with acrylic paints, selected for their compatibility with matte black surfaces and clear protective coatings. Below are the finished pictures. I’m really curious to hear your thoughts: What do you think of the final result? What would you have done differently?
No. You do great work. I can't see well enough to do detail work like that anymore, and I was never very good at it.
Thanks a lot, Cheapskate. I really appreciate your words. I’m doing my best to push the detail work to a level that feels coherent with the universe I’m trying to represent. Your feedback means a lot!
Fan Customization Update – Star Citizen Logo Decals (Stencil + plotter + custom design) Hi everyone, As part of my Star Citizen-themed build, I wanted to add a distinctive touch to the radiator fans by recreating the original game logo with a clean and precise finish. Goal: to produce either decals or stencils to apply to the fans—I'll later decide whether to leave them as stickers or use them as a guide for direct paint application. ️ Work process: The logo was fully redrawn in CAD, carefully replicating the original symmetry and proportions. I used a Silhouette Cameo to cut the vinyl, manually tuning pressure and depth settings to get clean, tear-free edges. After a few tests, I produced a small batch of high-adhesion vinyl decals, optimized to fit perfectly on the fan diameter. Below are some shots showing the full process—from design to cutting to final decal production. Feedback is always welcome ✌
