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Thread: Coolermaster CM690 mod log

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    Coolermaster CM690 mod log

    I'm currently modding my CM690 by putting in a side panel window, painting various bits of the case and stealthing my CD drive.

    So far I'v prepared the front of the CD drive and the 5.25" bay cover to cover it (but not attatched it since the rest of the case is in pieces covered in paint, I'v no pics of this I'm afraid since I couldn't find the camera), painted all the case I'm painting and cut a hole in the side panel for the window.



    Wednesday evening/night I primed the front and top panels and this morning I brought them all back inside and almost considered just leaving them as they were! Personally I think they look pretty awesome like this...




    However I had settled on a blue as the final cover so I tidied up some overspray (I was sure I had every square mm not being painted covered over :s I think the primer was just out to be awkward for me)


    Addmitedly it isn't that bad but still! It was easy enough to fix though with a bit of sand paper.

    After sanding the primer I re-taped up the bits that are staying black and went back to my high tech painting station (using only the latest equipment... That weekend's newspaper and spray cans I'd bought earlier that day ) and was imediately glad I'd gone with the blue I'd settled on.

    This is after the 2nd coat



    So far today I'v been gradually applying more coats untill I was happy with the finish untill my dad got home and he helped me out with cutting the window in my side panel, it is a pretty rough finish but I'v nothing better to do at the moment so i'm happy to file it all down, here is a pic of it before filling



    After cutting that though disaster struck
    My dad asked me to sweep out the garage just to make sure there were no little bits of metal left that could puncture tires or anything. I did as he asked and afterwards went to check how my paint was doing... it was now covered in a thin layer of dust

    Lesson learned, don't do anything that might move dust about while there is wet paint about! So my tasks for tomorrow now are sand back the paint to pre-dust levels then put on another 2 coats to get it back to a good finish, will keep you updated as it goes...

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    Pob255 (27-07-2012)

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    Re: Coolermaster CM690 mod log

    Doh!

    And this is why you should leave the painting to the end, granted some days you realise you want to change something only after you've started painting.
    In this situation you want to stop painting, make the changes then start the painting from scratch again.

    A couple of times I've sort of done it backwards but only ever because I want to keep the original factory paint finish, even then it's hard as you can often end up with metal/cutting wheel dust mixed in with the glue on masking tape and trying to remove that without ripping up the surface in near impossible.

    anyway keep it up I always love to see a mod.

    edit: ps, as you have to repaint consider painting the inside of the slots along the edges of the top bezel blue as well
    /bit more tricky to mask but will look good.

    PPS What paint are you using? Always nice to know the brands and types of paint and helpful for others in deciding what paint to use.

  4. #3
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    Re: Coolermaster CM690 mod log

    Pob255: I wasn't planning on doing any cutting but the chance presented it's self and I got impatient, I regret it now but it all turned out ok.


    After leaving the panels long enough to ensure it was dry I went to investigate the damage the dust had caused. Surprisingly it wasn't that bad and most of it brushed off which was a relief! Despite that I still sanded back a few layers of paint untill I had a nice smooth, dust free, surface before applying another couple of coats of paint.

    I really am glad I went for those extra coats after sanding since the finish is an awful lot better for it!

    (The odd looking circle on the top panel next to the usb etc ports is a shadow and not a smudge of paint or anything)


    With the chrome strips reapplied I was quite tempted to leave the panels like this but I knew that would risk the paint getting chipped/dirty & also leave little groves next to the chrome where the mesh slots in.



    And the final product with mesh and top panel connectors refitted. The blue has lost some of it's brightness & shine, I'd have liked the colour more like it was pre-mesh but I'm still happy with the final result.



    Panels back on the rest of the case. The cd drive bay cover is preped and ready to place over the drive but I couldn't do that until the front panel was reinstalled hence it hasn't been done yet.


    And the side panel is still being filled down so it has nice smooth edges although I'v decided I'm fed up with filling so am going to get some U channel to hide the edges away.


    All in all I'm happy with the paint job. It was dead easy to do, took less than a week and only cost me a can of paint and another of primer. To anyone considering paining their case I'd wholly recommend it! Just read through the guides that are out there and take your time and you will be fine.
    http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1039 Thanks to Pob255 for the link.


    Pob255: Which slots did you mean, the ones to the sides that are now under the chrome? They got painted on their middle inside side but the other was taped (That is an awful description I know but I can't think of a better one at the moment). I wasn't particularly bothered by them though since I knew they were getting covered once the panel was reassembled.
    The primer was Rustoleum plastic primer and the paint was a Rustoleum one but I can't remember exactly which at the moment so will check for you.

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