Paint Your Laptop - Project: Big Red

Have a new or old laptop? Tired of the way it looks? Wish you could do something to fix those yucky keys and scratches? Look no further!

In this fun-filled instructable, Gnaw will help ease those worries and uncertainties that you may face when expressing your inner-geek. You will unleash your creative and artistic skills as you learn and follow along with Gnaw and his new project, code-named: BIG RED

So, what you waiting for? Take the plunge, let’s get started!

*** Just wanted to squeeze in here a BIG thank you to westfw for sending me a spare key so I could complete my project. THANKS WESTFW! ***

Step 1: Background Story

Grandma gave her ungrateful grandchild (me) $25.00 for his birthday. I didn’t want to waste it on something stupid so I scoured eBay, craigslist etc. for a cheap/used laptop for a Linux box that I've been itching to build.

Behold! An IBM ThinkPad 385ED with a blazing-fast Intel Pentium MMX 166 MHz processor, 80MB RAM (upgraded), 12.1 inch 256 color LCD, 8X CD-ROM and a massive 2.1GB HD! The seller also threw in the bag, a mouse, modem, and Ethernet card for only $25.00!

Alright! Enough bragging, on with the show!

Step 2: The Materials

A great place to find all the materials you need is at any home-depo, building center, or hobby shop.

Here's a list of the materials I used. Depending on what you have in mind, your own list may vary. Just make sure the spray paint can be used on plastics.

Materials List/Tools
Small Screw-Driver set $varies
Exacto knife $varies
Super-Glue >$1
Old Newspaper >$.50
3M sandpaper 360 grade (see picture) >$1
Painting Tape (or masking tape, painting tape is better, no sticky residue) >$2.00
Model Master Spray-Paint (Primer, color, and gloss finish) around $6.00 each
Trim Sheet: Black (high gloss black surface, adhesive sticker used for model planes) $4.50
SuperCal 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" (Printable Water-Slide Decals) $20.00 expensive!

When I was about to pay for all this at the cash I made a joke about how much cheaper everything would be if I had a sponsor. The man at the cash looked at me and asked what I was doing. So I told him about my project and mentioned I was going to make this instructable on it. To my delight, he offered me a discount in exchange for an honorable mention of where I purchased my supplies www.greathobbies.com

I love hobby shops. Just walking around and seeing everything displayed can be quiet inspirational. Most have everything from models to R/C Air-planes/cars, robotic kits, tools and lots building materials. At this particular store, the staff helped me find the proper kind of paint to use on the laptop and made helpful suggestions on the materials I should use for the other things I had in-mind. So thanks to the staff at Great Hobbies.

Step 3: The Real Fun Begins!

Alright! So you have everything you need. Now we start to have some real fun...

The next step is to disassemble your laptop!

*** If you have a newer laptop you may not want to void your warranty by dismantling it! ***
(Especially those of you who bought the 'extened warranty' **chuckle**)

Helpful Tips
- Get the service manual for your laptop model from the manufacturers’ website
- Keep small pieces together with tape and labels (see image 3)
- GENTLY unscrew items (stripping a screw SUCKS! you don’t want to drill it out)
- Use an anti-static strap and proper anti-static techniques when handling electrical components!

Step 4: Mr. Sandman

Ok! You are now ready to prepare the pieces you wish to paint.

Gently sand the surfaces of the parts you wish to paint as best you can. When you finish sanding take a wet paper towel to clean off the dust and then wipe dry. If you look at the picture of the base of my laptop you'll notice I have removed the rubber feet. It's not a good idea to paint over the rubber or stickers/labels. Don’t worry, when you’re finished you can use a small amount of super-glue to stick them back on. Any labels (such as thermal-foil labels) you do not wish to peal-off or pieces of metal (battery leads) should be taped over using your masking or painters' tape.

Step 5: Primed and Ready

Tips:
*** If you have no experience using spray-paint, read the label on the back of the spray-can. ***

*** Wearing a hat is a great way to prevent hair from falling on the painted surface. ***

*** It's better to paint in large open areas or even outside. If the fumes are strong you should wear a mask to help prevent inhalation of the fumes ***

So after you have sanded and wiped away any dust you are ready to start priming/painting. Don’t try to cover all the areas with paint the first time; it will only make a mess. Instead, paint the pieces with multiple light coats; each time from a different angle. This will ensure a smooth paint job as opposed to a runny one. After each coat, inspect the dried piece carefully taking note of any small areas you may have missed so you may eliminate them when you apply the next coat. Most of my pieces needed only two coats. For small pieces, you may want to stick them to your painting surface with some painter's tape (see second image).

Step 6: Adding Some Color

Alright great start!

Notes:
*** Depending on what you had in mind and the type of paint you may have at your disposal, the following steps may differ from what you require. ***

*** Use the same painting techniques you've mastered in the last step. ***

Tips:
*** Bright colors may require a primer with a lighter shade in order to make it more vibrant ***

The color I used to paint my laptop is called Italian Red (Duh). I ended up buying another two cans because I found some pieces needed 3-4 coats for what I had in mind.

Step 7: Final Coat: Ultra Gloss

Whew, that's a lot of work. You’re almost done!

Notes:
*** You may want to use something stronger to protect your masterful paint-job. Maybe something a littler heavier like a laqor or varnish? ***

*** Depending on what you had in mind and the type of paint you may have at your disposal, the following steps may differ from what you require. ***

*** Use the same painting techniques you've mastered in the last step. ***

This glossy semi-protective paint will need a longer period of time to dry before your ready to apply another coat. I waited four hours between each coat, applying three coats in total.

Step 8: Water Slide Decals

Alright, you’re ready to tackle those key! With any luck you've managed not to loose any of them (unlike me). The instructions to use the SUPER CAL sheets of paper is pretty simple. Just read the instructions on the back. Quite simply, you print on the decal paper with your printer. Then you seal the paper with the SUPER CAL spray(I used the ultra gloss stuff and it worked just fine) After they have dried, you soak them in water for 10-40 seconds. After that they should be able to slide off easily from the paper. Once you have applied the wet decal to the key/object let it dry, then give it another quick spray with the ultra-gloss so it doesn’t wear after use.

*** Some Important Tips ***
- When you print them, set your printer to its highest quality and if you can select photo glossy paper.
- After you have printed them, spray them. Do not cut them out before-hand otherwise they will not slide off the sheet properly because they are stuck and you will tear them!
- If you soak them for too long the ink on the paper fade a little, you should make some practice pieces before you attempt to try it with your good ones.

I actually made mine in MS word, I've added the document here for you to use for a template if you like.

Step 9: Time to Reassemble

Sure taking it completely apart was fun, but now you have to put it all back together! This is where that service manual really begins to shine! If you have some 'extra pieces' (screws and other things) don’t worry! The way I see it, you've probably built it more efficiently than the manufacturer and if someone wants to be a smart-ass tell them it was necessary to increase performance. (Like those Dodge Viper racing stripes you see on those hatchbacks with the spoiler that's almost two feet high!)

Note:
*** You should thoroughly test your laptop to ensure everything is functioning correctly. It makes no sense to continue stylizing your beast! ***

Step 10: Make Your Own Sticker!

Alright time to put that high-gloss adhesive sticker to good use.
First I created the image and letter I wanted to make in MS word. Then I printed them out and made sure I cut them as best I could.

The easiest way I found to trace them onto sticker sheet was to lay the cut pieces underneath it inverted and then shade the whole area quickly with a pencil. You should get an outline of the image that should be good enough to follow and cut.

When you’re finished, stick'em on your laptop anywhere you'd like! There you have it, you are now one styling geek!