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    I painted my XPS M1530 lid...

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by jack53, Feb 28, 2008.

  1. jack53

    jack53 Dell XPS 9360 i7 Lover!

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    Well, I had to be different. I thought my tuxedo black was a little bland, (a flat black instead of glossy?) so I painted mine Dupli-color auto areosol spray Metallic ruby red. Sort of in-between the Current XPS m1530 & the older XPS 1710 style. I took my sweet time masking it perfectly, then wet-sand lightly with 2,000 grit sandpaper to rough it up a bit so the primer will stick, then I painted 4 coats of Dupli-color auto areosol spray grey primer, 4 coats of Dupli-color auto areosol spray Metallic ruby red base, sanded in-between w/2000 grit and then 4 coats of Dupli-color auto areosol spray Clear Top Clear. I baked it with a heat lamp between coats. The 12" heat lamp was 6 feet above the notebook.
    TIP: When you mask, use the painters "blue" masking tape. Any other masking tape will lift or damage the paint underneath it.

    The "before" shots are here:
    http://corvettec3.com/dellXPSm1530review.htm

    Masking (take your time!)
    [​IMG]

    Primer: 4 coats, one hour between, light 2000 grit sanding in-between
    [​IMG]

    Base coat: 4 coats one hour in-between & light 2000 grit sanding in-between.
    [​IMG]
    (Base coat was Dupli-color auto areosol spray Ruby Red Metallic)

    Clear: 4 coats (every 10 minutes while still tacky) over red/black/silver to blend in.
    [​IMG]
    (wait 6 weeks before using good automotive wax)

    Sunlight photo
    [​IMG]

    Indoor lighting
    [​IMG]

    My favorite of all time: the XPS 1710
    [​IMG]

    My redition of the above.
    [​IMG]
     
    turqoisegirl08, LanceAvion and jook33 like this.
  2. cosrocket

    cosrocket Notebook Evangelist

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    Cool, It looks great. Terrific job!
     
  3. rushy66gt

    rushy66gt Notebook Enthusiast

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    absolutely awesome!!!!
     
  4. MikesDell

    MikesDell Notebook Evangelist

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    Nice job ! That's definitely a one of a kind M1530 :)
     
  5. SmoothTofu

    SmoothTofu Inspiron 1420 Owner

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    Cool hybrid colour design!
     
  6. vinumsv

    vinumsv MobileFreak™

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    WoW !! Now You Got Product Red Bro ;)
     
  7. GaMeRxD

    GaMeRxD Notebook Evangelist

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    WoW....dude that looks just as if it was the real (RED) product

    good job :)
     
  8. BruZZi

    BruZZi Notebook Guru

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    Yup, that looks GREAT !!!
     
  9. Bowlerguy92

    Bowlerguy92 Notebook Deity

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    Wow, when I saw the title of this thread I thought, "well lets go see how bad he screwed this one up", but I walk away thinking the complete opposite. That looks VERY well done.
     
  10. LGS

    LGS Notebook Consultant

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    Looks great!
     
  11. Rnewman612

    Rnewman612 Notebook Consultant

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    Oo its so pretty
     
  12. disciplined

    disciplined Notebook Geek

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    the baking with heat lamp sounds scary... weren't you woried about the lcd?
     
  13. stevey5036

    stevey5036 Notebook Evangelist

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    Very nice job man!
     
  14. oxon

    oxon Notebook Enthusiast

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    LOL, I was thinking the same thing...but obviously he knows what he's doing cause it looks freakin' awesome.
     
  15. mykie

    mykie Notebook Guru

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    That's awesome, now you just have to update your profile pic!
     
  16. vin

    vin Newbie

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    such a nice work dude......awesome :)
     
  17. haquocdung

    haquocdung Notebook Virtuoso

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    nice done jack, now you have to make a new picture for your signature :D
    why dont you make some design before you paint like Super man logo :D
     
  18. TrisTan 08

    TrisTan 08 Notebook Consultant

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    :eek: Is that pain scratch proof, so if you were to get a key and lightly scribe it across the surface of the paint, I bet it will just scratch a line through the paint!!

    You can never beat the paint they put on them as standard, you should be able to dig your finger nail in to it you hardest and still not be able to take any paint off, only then is it a result,

    But the looks are great :D, does it have the long lasting durability coat to go with the paints finish ?
     
  19. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    I thought it would have your own design otherwise looks good.
     
  20. neilmcl

    neilmcl Notebook Consultant

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    I'm assuming that's your warranty gone down the pan then.
     
  21. snork

    snork Notebook Evangelist

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    Sweet...looks good jack :D What kinda paint did you end up using? Also I'm sure the pics don't do justice to that metallic ruby red.
     
  22. Laggy7

    Laggy7 Notebook Guru

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    looks the goods man, i like it how the dell logo is black in the middle youve got a one in a million there!

    ive been looking around for tribal stickers or something to stick on the outside of the case and perhaps book contact to stick on the stainless to protect it from my wedding rings scratching the inside, but the paint looks awesome!
     
  23. r2d2melo

    r2d2melo Notebook Guru

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    thats awesome dude good job,wait one more thing it would look amazing if ya put a Georgia Bulldogs logo instead of the dell :)
     
  24. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    Great job jack53!! :D
     
  25. own3d

    own3d Notebook Evangelist

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    Would it not have been easier to just order crimson red.. And not void your warranty at the same time.
     
  26. allshookup

    allshookup Notebook Geek

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    Would someone explain to me how painting the outside of your lid would void your warranty? You have to do more to your laptop to upgrade the ram or hd.

    BTW I think it looks great! I would like to know about the durability of the paint. The factory paint has a rubbery feel to it does your paint job just feel slick like a gloss?
     
  27. Samuel613

    Samuel613 Notebook Evangelist

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    Though I don't, personally, care for Red, it looks like you did an awesome job, and looks nicer than Dell's red.

    How did you keep a perfect circle around Dell's logo?
     
  28. JimmyJ

    JimmyJ Notebook Consultant

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    Thats awesome
     
  29. jack53

    jack53 Dell XPS 9360 i7 Lover!

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    Well, I had black, but it was like flat black... kinda dull. So I wanted to do something a little different.

    Masking the round Dell logo properly takes time to do it right. I cut small masking strips to go around curves better, then used a exacto knife to trim any excess.

    Some have asked about the durablity of the paint. It is automotive paint and it is suppose to take abuse. BUT, I'm very finicky about my equipment so I only use soft cases to transport it.

    It DOES NOT void the warranty. I just couldn't return it as a exchange, but if something goes wrong "inside" that is covered.

    Some have asked paint type etc. I listed all that in the first thread.

    Did I answers everybody's questions?

    BTW, thanks for all the NICE compliments. :D

    Read my REVIEW and tell me what you think of that.
    http://corvettec3.com/dellXPSm1530review.htm
     
  30. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    The warranty should still be covered since it's only cosmetic. Warranties are usually hardware related. The only problem is if you send in your laptop you might not get it back since they'll just might send you a replacement!
     
  31. SilentException

    SilentException Notebook Enthusiast

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    huh i admit i wouldnt have balls to do something like this :D
    but it turned out awesome. this red color looks even better than the one dell puts on! terrific job.
     
  32. cosrocket

    cosrocket Notebook Evangelist

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    I really like the black circle Dell logo against the red background. The logo matches the color of the battery and gives the top better balance. Dell would be smart to do this going forward.
     
  33. Matt is Pro

    Matt is Pro I'm a PC, so?

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    Nice job. That looks amazing.
     
  34. philly Dog

    philly Dog Notebook Consultant

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    I`m sure I would have screwed it up. You did a great job, how long did it take?
     
  35. Lazy

    Lazy Notebook Consultant

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    hey that looks awesome there,

    if you dont mind me asking, how did you apply the paint ? spray or a brush?
     
  36. jack53

    jack53 Dell XPS 9360 i7 Lover!

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    About 12 hours all told. One hour between each coat and one hour for masking.


    Dupli-color auto areosol spray. Ruby Red Metalic
     
  37. carbrm

    carbrm Newbie

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    waoooo super cool!!!!!!!!!
     
  38. liquidplasma6

    liquidplasma6 Notebook Evangelist

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    amazing work jack53, i know for a fact i would have problems masking around the Dell logo :)
     
  39. nousernameavailable

    nousernameavailable Notebook Enthusiast

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    congratulations! dell should hire you to design laptops!
     
  40. jb1007

    jb1007 Full Customization

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    That looks awesome! I love that shade more than the original Dell ruby red, and with the black logo in the center it looks really sharp.
     
  41. jack53

    jack53 Dell XPS 9360 i7 Lover!

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    Like this below? BTW, I turned my paintjob/wallpaper into a cool AVATAR! :cool:

    [​IMG]
    I was trying to imitate that photo with my custom XPS... pretty hard to do.
    [​IMG]
     
  42. enderbaba

    enderbaba Newbie

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    its realy good job! maybe i ll paint like this after 4-5 notebook painting ;)
     
  43. Lao

    Lao Notebook Evangelist

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    One of the best painting job on the forum. It's nice and clean. Good work!
     
  44. ChevyTrucks

    ChevyTrucks Notebook Consultant

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    I have been searching this website a lot lately i just purchased my very FIRST personal laptop. and I have read all the comments about your masterpiece so I already know that you know it is a very well done piece of work, however i figured with craftsmanship like this I just had to give you props myself. Congrats man the laptop looks wonderfull and ill have to tell you, you got more cahones than I do for a job like this, again looks great man!
     
  45. Firecrak

    Firecrak Notebook Guru

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    Very nice paint job. Now....to see if one can laser etch a 1530. Though the white paintjob is unavailable in Australia, I figure the Black can be somehow accentuated.
     
  46. samerjb

    samerjb Notebook Geek

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    Great job Jack
    How much did it all cost by the way & would you do a custom job?
    You can make a career of it :)
     
  47. th3v0!d

    th3v0!d Notebook Geek

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    Great job. It's obvious this isn't your first time doing something like this. Do you paint cars? home interiors? or paint something? cuz i know for a fact that its hard to get an even layer of paint like that. And the paint you used, "car paint" that should last you longer than the factory paint cuz car paint is made to last through rough weather conditions. again nice job. You gave artists / taggers / air brush painters an idea. =)
     
  48. ryan27406

    ryan27406 Notebook Consultant

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    All that i can say jack is, you got a awesome talent, that looks like it came stock
     
  49. jack53

    jack53 Dell XPS 9360 i7 Lover!

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    Yes, I've painted a few and learned from my mistakes. Mostly it takes lots of patience and a few tricks I've learned. Here is a matching desktop/laptop I did last year:
    http://1-4u-computer-graphics.com/notebookpaint.htm
     
  50. Lazy

    Lazy Notebook Consultant

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    you make it seem so easy! i tried painting a computer case and the paint comes off too easy

    if you dont mind me asking, what is the purpose of adding so many coats of primer?
     
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