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    Feasibility for custom spray-paint job for m11x shell

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by marcusjhung, Feb 17, 2011.

  1. marcusjhung

    marcusjhung Notebook Consultant

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    Okay guys, just got my paws on an m11x r2 few days ago ;D. It's not here yet but I am planning on spraying my m11x a custom color since I am not really the biggest fan of the lunar shadow that I was forced to choose for the 699 deal.

    here's my question:
    Have any of you had any experience with spray painting your laptops?
    Does a certain type of paint harm the surface of the shell?
    What other complications may arise with this?

    thanks guys.
     
    marcusjhung, Feb 17, 2011
    #1
  2. trikan

    trikan Notebook Geek

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    spray it xxxtreme green
     
    trikan, Feb 17, 2011
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  3. first_leviathan

    first_leviathan Notebook Consultant

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    Blue or red, I think.
     
    first_leviathan, Feb 18, 2011
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  4. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Remove all the metal parts you need painted. take them to a place that does powdercoating. Paythem money, then put it back together.

    You will not be happy with your spray paint job
     
    ejohnson, Feb 18, 2011
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  5. some guy

    some guy Modding Addict

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    As the above poster said. I have painted many things including laptops and even when using highend paint and some baking.... it cant compete with a professional paint job.

    The spraypaints just dont harden enough to be truly durable. No matter how much prep work and coats you do it will always start to scratch and start to ware away on the corners.... : (

    PS: after my waranty is up i plan to paint mine white for a sweet portal theme! :cool:
     
    some guy, Feb 18, 2011
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  6. GNandGS

    GNandGS Notebook Deity

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    Anyone done this on M11x or on other models with thin panels? Curious if there is any warpage. (I'm not planning to do this just curious)
     
    GNandGS, Feb 18, 2011
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  7. cmarcho

    cmarcho Notebook Consultant

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    I did this on my mini 9 a couple years ago before they offered the mini in red.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-inspiron-dell-studio/321237-painting-lcd-cover-my-mini-9-a.html

    I used a rubberized coating and it was pretty cool while it lasted. Like others have said, it doesn't last a long time though. The cool thing with the rubber paint is that once it started peeling, I pulled it all off in one shot and you couldn't tell it had been painted.

    The second page shows all the disassembly that was required just to do the LCD cover. It was not too hard, but just a lot of tedious work.

    I would definately powdercoat a nicer machine like the m11x if I wanted to do this again.
     
    cmarcho, Feb 18, 2011
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  8. CapnBoost

    CapnBoost Notebook Consultant

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    You could also consider urethane skins or wraps. They do them on phones (I wouldn't do this) as well as cars and other misc. It will probably cost you more but it will be more protective and entirely removable.

    +1 on powdercoating, it looks better and is far more durable than paint.
     
    CapnBoost, Feb 18, 2011
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