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    The quest to paint the soft-touch lid!

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Maxware79, Mar 16, 2020.

  1. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    I’m currently attempting to respray an M17x R3/R4 lid. I’d always considered it impossible but we’ll soon see. Early signs are good after 4 coats of primer. If all goes to plan it will be the pink lid for my wife’s R3
    Before:
    [​IMG]

    After Priming:
    [​IMG]


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    Maxware79, Mar 16, 2020
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  2. 2CPU

    2CPU Notebook Evangelist

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    Did you blind the alien or just glare?
     
    2CPU, Mar 16, 2020
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  3. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    Sorry, don’t quite understand the question.


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    Maxware79, Mar 16, 2020
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  4. 2CPU

    2CPU Notebook Evangelist

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    Painted over the eyes
     
    2CPU, Mar 16, 2020
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  5. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    Removed it. It’s held in by plastic moulded rivets. Just need to use a dremel and it pops right off along with the hard plastic front ridge. A few drops of super glue fixes them back on later.
    Makes it much easier to spray


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    Maxware79, Mar 16, 2020
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  6. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    Coming along nicely.
    [​IMG]


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    Maxware79, Mar 19, 2020
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  7. MrMogwai

    MrMogwai Notebook Evangelist

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    What is your solution for soft touch? I mean what kind of paint? Or any sort of treatment?
     
    MrMogwai, Mar 19, 2020
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  8. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    I just gave it a very light sand with 2000 grit to get rid of a few surface issues (EDIT: And used some wax and grease remover) and then I went with 4 coats of primer. The primer seems to have really set onto the soft-touch and you couldn't really tell that it was soft-touch at that point. Now with 4 light coats of base color down it just feels like any other surface. Time will tell as to how well the primer cured to the original surface. It's not designed for bonding with it so I'm not expecting much. I may do another light coat before leaving it for a week before putting some light clear coat down.
    It's more of an experiment than a serious paint job. It will be going on my wife's R3 which never leaves her desk so it won't be banged around or shoved in a bag.
     
    Maxware79, Mar 19, 2020
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  9. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    It's going to sit on top of this
    IMG_1052.JPG
     
    Maxware79, Mar 19, 2020
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  10. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    [​IMG]


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    Maxware79, Mar 23, 2020
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  11. Maxware79

    Maxware79 Alienware died in 2014

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    All done. So far it’s been successful. Could probably have done a few extra clear coats but it won’t be banged around.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


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    Maxware79, Mar 28, 2020
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  12. 2CPU

    2CPU Notebook Evangelist

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    Wow looks great!
     
    2CPU, Mar 30, 2020
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  13. MrMogwai

    MrMogwai Notebook Evangelist

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    Neon pink, nice :) I'm thinking fluorescent orange for the M18X :)
     
    MrMogwai, Mar 30, 2020
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