Mouse Paintjob - Steelers Theme.

[Welshy]

For my dads birthday on May 10th, I plan to give him a Steelers themed custom mouse.

I've started by opening the mouse, and taking everything apart. I have a few questions also. The mouse I am using is very simple, and nothing expensive, so I am not that worried about messing it up.

I have composed a list of what I plan to do to the mouse, I may add some things in the future. Here it is:

Black / Yellow Paint Job
Yellow Scroll Wheel
Yellow Cable
Yellow LED

I also have a few questions I would like to ask:

What is the best type of paint/gloss for this project?
How would I go about painting the scroll wheel if possible, and if not, where would I buy a yellow one?
How about the cable, how can I paint that yellow?
Lastly, how would I go about changing the LED to red, while retaining the functionality of the mouse?


The next post is the start of my work log.

[Welshy]

Here is the main section of the mouse:
http://brendanwelsh.net/mod/topview.JPG

I am probably going to mask off the Grey when I paint the white, and vise-versa when I paint the Grey. I don't plan on taking it off, because it doesn't look possible without messing it up completely.

http://brendanwelsh.net/mod/knobs.JPG

Those Grey little rivets are holding it in, and they seem to be melted so that it won't be removed. Not a big deal, it doesn't look too hard to mask off.

Lastly, here is the board so that you guys may be able to assist me in changing the LED.

http://brendanwelsh.net/mod/led.JPG

[Omega]

For the masking: Cover all of it, then run a knife through the crease. Peel off the side you want to paint, and voila.


I covered a mouse in masking tape while a buddy of mine slept at a LAN Party that way. He woke up to a masking-tape and black mouse. It owned.

[Welshy]

Haha. A bit messed up, but pretty funny!

Two more questions:
Does blue masking tape (painters tape) function the same way as any other color, and do I need to sand it before I paint it?

Man, I am trying to mask it right now, and I can't do it well at all. Its hard to do on a curve.

[Omega]

Haha. A bit messed up, but pretty funny!

Two more questions:
Does blue masking tape (painters tape) function the same way as any other color, and do I need to sand it before I paint it?

Man, I am trying to mask it right now, and I can't do it well at all. Its hard to do on a curve.

Oh man, it's really hard to do on a curve, yeah.

I think we used a hairdryer to make the tape more pliable onto his mouse.

Keep in mind, though, it was easily removed. But it looked cool as hell, man. A tape-blue mouse.

I might do that to my mouse in just a moment.


Anywho, you don't sand masking tape. I suggest sanding the surface of the mouse lightly with 400grit, then priming, then masking and painting.

[Welshy]

Oh, I misunderstood your prank. I thought you actually spray painted it.

I'm going to buy 400grit, primer, and masking tape tomorrow.

I appreciate the help.

While I am out, what do I need to use a stencil, and do I need something different for the cable/ scroll wheel?

[Omega]

Oh, I misunderstood your prank. I thought you actually spray painted it.

I'm going to buy 400grit, primer, and masking tape tomorrow.

I appreciate the help.

While I am out, what do I need to use a stencil, and do I need something different for the cable/ scroll wheel?

You want to paint the cable?

I suggest just getting a new USB cable of the desired color then doing some easy electronics work.

As for the scroll wheel, I'm not sure, but look for Vinyl Dye. It'll get you (and everybody in a mile radius) high as hell if you're not wearing a respirator, though.

Also, get 400, 600, and 800 grit sandpapers. Try to find sandpapers that can be used both for wet and dry.

Make sure the paint and the primer you use are acceptable for use on plastics. You might just go ahead and use Vinyl dye on the mouse itself (but I don't know how masking tape and vinyl dye get along, so don't ask me).


Anywho, good luck.

[Welshy]

You want to paint the cable?

I suggest just getting a new USB cable of the desired color then doing some easy electronics work.

As for the scroll wheel, I'm not sure, but look for Vinyl Dye. It'll get you (and everybody in a mile radius) high as hell if you're not wearing a respirator, though.

Also, get 400, 600, and 800 grit sandpapers. Try to find sandpapers that can be used both for wet and dry.

Make sure the paint and the primer you use are acceptable for use on plastics. You might just go ahead and use Vinyl dye on the mouse itself (but I don't know how masking tape and vinyl dye get along, so don't ask me).


Anywho, good luck.

I'll be getting myself 400, 600, and 800 grit wet or dry sandpaper, black paint, yellow paint, clear coat, and the plastic primer for sure. I don't know about Vinyl Die though. It's a bit pricey and so is a respirator.

Anybody happen to have a black scroll wheel that would fit my mouse? :) Just playing! I just hope there will be a way to color it.

[Spawn-Inc]

this is how i would tape a round edge.

cut the tape about half way and then fold it over on itself.
http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/3504/2529881320100511463S600x600Q85.jpg

and here is how it can come out. i didn't have a line to follow so i made it up.
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/4834/2382340760100511463S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/4026/2663960220100511463S600x600Q85.jpg

[SgtM]

Welcome aboard!

As far as changing the LED goes, just swap them out. Cut out the red one, and put in the Amber (yellow). **VERY IMPORTANT** You need to make sure the LED is at least 2500mcd in order for the mouse to track properly. In my mouse mod, I used 3 5500mcd blue LED's. 1 for the tracking, the other 2 for illumination. I recommend www.lsdiodes.com for LED's. They're inexpensive and ship very quickly.

Some LED info (http://www.theledlight.com/technical1.html)

If you want to see my mouse mod, click on my sig.

[Welshy]

Well, I have a big change of plans. My mom was being a bit mean about me doing this, but I talked to her and instead I am going to make this my main mouse.

I am going to add a small fan in the back of the mouse, and place circular ventilation holes in it. I am also going to buy a color-changing lead, and put that just for color, and change the color of the actual tracking LED to something cool like blue.

I am also going to paint it of course, no idea what colors yet -- but I will hopefully decide soon.

I've never really worked with electronics, but plan to read before replacing the LED, and adding LEDs and a fan. My dad has a soldering iron which will probably work, but who knows. Any good tutorials on adding leds/fans?

Hopefully I can also change the cable color and scroll wheel, as the Grey is just ugly. Where can I buy a cable/scroll wheel?

Either that, or I can just buy a clear-like mouse to mod, but I am low on cash. :(

[SgtM]

:banana: :banana: MODDING IS ADDICIVE. MOD AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AT ORDINARY OBJECTS THE SAME WAY AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ONLY TREATMENT FOR MODDING ADDICTION (ALSO KNOWN AS MA) IS MORE MODDING. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.:banana::banana:

For changing the LED:
It's been my experience that the LED's used are just these type (http://www.lsdiodes.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1). So the old one can be cut out, and a new one soldered in.

For adding LED's, it's a little trickier. I added 2 extra blue LED's in the back of my mouse to make the base glow. What you have to do in this case is, tie in to the USB +5v (red wire) and ground (black wire). Now, since the forward voltage in the LED's is 3.6v, and your source is 5v, you'll need to use a resistor. Here's a really cool article about LED's and resistors. (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=642) To further simplify the LED and resistor values, there are a ton of LED calculators available. I like this one. (http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz) Wiring the LED's in can be a little tricky because of the lack of space available, but eventually, you'll get it. Just make sure that both positive and negative leads are attached together, and that the resistor is in the positive line. For figuring out which is the positive and which is the negative on the LED's, the positive will be the side with the longer lead. Don't worry if you cut the leads (and you'll have to) and forget which is which, there's still a way to figure it out. If you look at the actual head of the LED, you will see a skinny side and a fat side. The skinny side is positive. Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions.

[Spawn-Inc]

:banana: :banana: MODDING IS ADDICIVE. MOD AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AT ORDINARY OBJECTS THE SAME WAY AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ONLY TREATMENT FOR MODDING ADDICTION (ALSO KNOWN AS MA) IS MORE MODDING. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.:banana::banana:

For changing the LED:
It's been my experience that the LED's used are just these type (http://www.lsdiodes.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1). So the old one can be cut out, and a new one soldered in.

For adding LED's, it's a little trickier. I added 2 extra blue LED's in the back of my mouse to make the base glow. What you have to do in this case is, tie in to the USB +5v (red wire) and ground (black wire). Now, since the forward voltage in the LED's is 3.6v, and your source is 5v, you'll need to use a resistor. Here's a really cool article about LED's and resistors. (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=642) To further simplify the LED and resistor values, there are a ton of LED calculators available. I like this one. (http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz) Wiring the LED's in can be a little tricky because of the lack of space available, but eventually, you'll get it. Just make sure that both positive and negative leads are attached together, and that the resistor is in the positive line. For figuring out which is the positive and which is the negative on the LED's, the positive will be the side with the longer lead. Don't worry if you cut the leads (and you'll have to) and forget which is which, there's still a way to figure it out. If you look at the actual head of the LED, you will see a skinny side and a fat side. The skinny side is negative. Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions.

i wouldn't just cut the led out, i would desolder it out. for the 5 volts i personally wouldn't bother with a resistor (becuase i'm to lazy to find them, get the right ones, find them, and then buy them.) it shouldn't hurt the led to to much but you probably should go with it anyway.

here is a picture worth a 1000 words so to speak
http://www.pyrouniverse.com/firingsystems/joepanelext/LEDS01.gif
where it says "flat side" is how remembered which side is which when i wired up my wireless nintendo wii bar.

[SgtM]

oops.. I screwed up on the anode and cathode. Spawn is right. I would recommend the resistor also, even though a 3.6v LED will run off of 5v. It does produce some heat, and will ultimately reduce the life of the LED.

[Spawn-Inc]

yes i also meant to add that putting a higher voltage will work, but will lessen the life of it. but i'm not sure how much.

here is how you should wire up the led's and resistors...

http://crackerdiet.net/pub/resistor-pr0n.jpg

sorry but i found this to be funny

[SgtM]

LOL!!1
What would be awesome is if that circuit actually worked!

[.Maleficus.]

...


ROFL!! That's the coolest thing ever (and possibly the most geekiest.. circuitry pr0n? Uber-geek... haha).