The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Custom Ferrari Iphone 3GS Paint Job

    Discussion in 'Notebook Cosmetic Modifications and Custom Builds' started by Joebarchuck, Sep 3, 2010.

  1. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    881
    Messages:
    2,246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I know this section is mainly for notebook cosmetic mods but the iphone is somewhat a small computer and the process I used can be used for any plastic or metal system. I am sure this guide can be useful to people wanting to try notebook cosmetic modifications.

    Iphone 3GS:

    What you need:

    - Sanding sponges (from 600 grit to 1500 grit). (Better than paper for small corners.)
    - Sanding paper: 1500 grit to 2000 grit
    - Screw drivers
    - Primer
    - Spray Paint
    - Patience

    The project took me about two weeks mainly due to curing time in between coats.

    Taking apart the Iphone:

    [​IMG]


    Sanding all the stock coating and plastic protection.

    [​IMG]


    Sanding complete. No more logo nor inscriptions.

    [​IMG]


    I was looking for a way to hold the phone for painting all at once, here is what I came up with:

    [​IMG]


    Once well attached and everything prepared, the primer must be applied. I did three coats and waited the full 48 hours cure time in between each coat to make sure it would hold strong (WET SANDING IN BETWEEN EACH COAT REQUIRED):

    [​IMG]


    First coat of paint, again I did three coats to make sure the paint would be strong waiting the 24 hours cure time in between each coat (WET SANDING IN BETWEEN EACH COAT REQUIRED or you will have some orange peel):

    [​IMG]


    Clear Coat, again three coats and waited the 12 hours cure time in between each coat (WET SANDING IN BETWEEN EACH COAT REQUIRED):

    [​IMG]


    Finished Product:

    [​IMG]


    Finished Ferrari Phone turning on:

    [​IMG]



    Now, is it worth to pay $150.00 to colorwave to do this for you. ABSOLUTELY.

    First of all my phone was down for over two weeks, second the cost of the paint, primer, sanding sponges, acetone, etc came to a total of $84.

    Would I do it again: sure as it was a fun project but though the outcome is close to being a professional paint job, it's not quite there yet.

    Hope this guide on how to paint PC or Phones helps members here.
     
  2. Nick

    Nick Professor Carnista

    Reputations:
    3,870
    Messages:
    4,089
    Likes Received:
    643
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Wow! I don't know many people with the guts to do that to their iPod. Looks nice.
     
  3. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    881
    Messages:
    2,246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Thanks, the iphone is quite nicer this way. :D :D :D
     
  4. balane

    balane Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    100
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Did you clear coat over the sticker or put the decal on top of the clear coat after it dried? It looks very nice. It's hard to tell from the photos, is it a high gloss finish or a matte finish?

    Thanks for sharing your good work with us.
     
  5. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

    Reputations:
    1,312
    Messages:
    3,433
    Likes Received:
    20
    Trophy Points:
    106
    To think I was about to report this thread as spam before I clicked on it... :eek:
     
  6. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    881
    Messages:
    2,246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I put the sticker and then did three coats of clear coats. I originally had planned to paint the logo myself but the work was too big for the amount of time I have therefore I bought some automotive stickers. They should not come off.
     
  7. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    881
    Messages:
    2,246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    :D :D :D :D :D :D

    I am not selling this... It's my own creation.
     
  8. thundernet

    thundernet Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    609
    Messages:
    1,285
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    It looks great.Hats off to you and your patience.
    I was very very surprised that the materials cost you $84.If I had to quess I wouldn't have quessed more than 15-20 dollars for the materials you mention in your post.
     
  9. Nsxrrmaniac

    Nsxrrmaniac Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    34
    Messages:
    530
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Looks pretty good. Too bad it takes so much effort and time, but I guess that's the best part about modding stuff.
     
  10. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    6,705
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Very Nice and innovative! +rep..
     
  11. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    881
    Messages:
    2,246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Well, I made some mistakes and had to buy lots of paint from hobby stores.

    Each can is like $5 and I used 3 for the red coat, 2 for the clear coat and 2 of primer since I first made mistakes and had to sand the first 3 coats...

    Then you need the sand paper and some automotive ferrari logo so it sticks very well on there. Just that was $19.

    If I had to do it today I would just order one automotive spray paint with Ferrari paint in it from automotivetouchup.com.

    Unfortunately I did not know the existence of that site at the time.
     
  12. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    881
    Messages:
    2,246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Thanks for the rep.

    Wait until you guys see the Iphone 4 mod I am working on. It's going to another level. I won't have time for a few months to do the actual work on the phone but I have all the parts tested and working so if I can make it fit in there, we will have the first alienware Iphone with the eyes lighting up... :D :D :D

    I'll keep everyone updated.
     
  13. SAUCE

    SAUCE ★ ★ ★

    Reputations:
    371
    Messages:
    742
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Joebarchuck
    Good paint job well done . ;)