Need professional paintjob help

Hey guys, i have recently decided on getting a Sony VGN-FE690. The problem is, so has my GF

Now me being the kind of guy that is bothered by having matching stuff, especially a 1.5k laptop that we will be using side by side on the couch, i want some variety. I would like to have something really cool painted on the lid of mine, however i dont want some shoddy job. Im looking for something that will actually look like it was made like that, something that does not take away from the beauty of my Sony. What is a place that will do this? and how about pricing?

Also im very open to suggestions as to what should be painted, some things i like are:

Anime
Games (WOW, Doom, Ragnarok, RPG's)
Palmtrees/Sunrises

I would prefer something custom, not just a stock photo sort of deal, but i have no artistic skill whatsoever.

I know smoothcreations does what i am looking for (at least as far as i can tell) i just dont want my whole laptop painted, and i have been unable to find any general pricing. Hope you guys have some suggestions.

Also so you can get an idea of what the lid looks like: (stolen from some reviews on this forum):

 

painting will void the warranty... Are you sure thats what you want?

EDIT:

You might want to try a sticker too... something like what they have here http://www.schtickers.com I am not sure if it affects the warranty. You would most likely want to call sony about that.

 

hmm, now thats a point i hadent thought about.. that kinda sucks.

Are you 100% sure? even if it does not require taking the screen apart at all? That seems lame if thats the case..

 

Very likely it will void your warranty. If your interested in getting a custom system I can hook you up but not your sony. Done alot of anime jobs (my avatar is a ghost in the shell job)

For a really good full paintjob it requires the machine be taken apart and then done. Its possible to just do the lid but a full job looks best

Let me know if your interested in a system.

 

Smooth Creations is the best bar none. I think they can do just the lid without taking it all apart.

Talk to Jim or Chris at Smooth and tell them DarthBeavis sent you

 

Will possibly get a Bleach anime design on mine, but I'd much rather do it myself. At least the sketch or inked version, I have some artistic abilities. As far as painting, I've never worked on a laptop or an uneven surface such as mine...so I'd have to get a professional to do it. Will they take a sent in design and implement it for you, or do they not allow that?

 

I sent a couple high rez jpgs that they painted on my laptop. My desktop they did based of this pic (which they provided):

Here is the ALX at Smooth in progress:

Finished product:

Write up at Smooth:
http://www.smoothcreations.com/order66.html
Pic of both in their native habitat:


The artwork on the lappy is so good it almost looks too good to be airbrush (they painted the laptop itself in color-shifting paint):

 

Looks very good Darth, i think i will go through smooth. I will call sony and find out for sure if it will void my warranty. Im still unsure of what design to put on it. Thanks for the info guys.

 

Darth that is crazy! Looks awesome! That must have cost a lot!

 

I paid in foodstamps and sexual favors.

 

Sent them an email about 3 days ago, no word yet. How long do you think it will take them to reply?

 

Make a phone call first then email once you have spoken with Chris or Jim at Smooth.

 

well, they never got back to me. I sent an email and called once and left a message. (both at least a week or more ago) If they have no interest/time in me then i have none in them. What are my other options?

Does anyone else do laptop customization?

 

I emailed them a link to this thread. They are usually pretty good about responding but they may be swamped. Hold on for a week or so to give them time to get back to me. I will be out of town from Monday to Thursday so I won't be checking the boards then. Be patient, we will get you in contact with them.

 

Thanks darth, im just looking for a quote on pricing right now, I wouldent think that would require much effort in a reply. I am interested though as they do have nice work. Im hoping its under $400 since its just a lid job, and probably only about half the lid.

Thanks, heres to hoping they reply.

 

wow Darth that is a work of art! How much did it cost for your notebook lid ? It looks amazing!

 

Darth looks really nice... Looking for a design to get on dell e1505

 

If you are worried about voiding your warrenty you might have an option .. I know alot of people with Dell laptops will buy alternate chassis parts incase they do have to send it back. Just swap em if need be. The only way to mess somethign up is to be really careless yanno?

 

I will probably get work done on my ms-1039..
What is the prices?
Also I like the white on your notebook! :]

 

DarthBeavis,

Hey I saw your paintjob pics on the smooth creations site! Very cool! I am also looking to get a custom paintjob done on a Thinkpad X60, but have not been able to get a response from smooth creations. It is not super urgent but I'd rather it not take 3 months either...I e-mailed first about 4 weeks ago.

Anyway, if you manage to get a hold of them please add me to the list as one of the folks interested in a job!