My Plexiglass PSU mod

[Theorem]

Hey everyone.
This is going to be my first MOD post on this forum and I'm fairly excited. TBCS is my new favorite!

Anyways, this mod resulted by me growing bored with something (like all mods), and this time it was going to be my PSU that was getting punished.
I did a really medeocre paint job on it this previous year and got tired of looking at it. Plus, I wanted it to go better with my new color scheme.

I'm going to add a 120mm silver/white Aero Cool fan to this, it'll look nice.

PLAN:

-Take apart PSU
-Measure cutting areas (both PSU casing and plexiglass)
-carefully cut desired areas (both PSU casing and plexiglass)
-Paint PSU (black and clearcoat)
-Sand down the plexi panels to give it a "semi-transparent" look
-Attach panels to PSU casing


....sorry for the blurry pics...to many resolution changes....its barable though


So I begin by showing you my victim...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff039.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff041.jpg

Gotta take off that tacky Spec sticker, but definatly going to save it!
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff044.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff046.jpg

Time to measure (very accurately)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff050.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff051.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff057.jpg

Have to desolder the power connection in order to get everything off of the casing (I think this gun is from back in the 70's...)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff052.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff053.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff054.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff056.jpg

Gonna start off by cutting (breaking rather) the plexiglass into the appropriate sizes with my cool new tool.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff059.jpg

First make a slight and strait leading cut
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff055.jpg

Then go at it with the back edge
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff058.jpg

breaking process
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff060.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff061.jpg

Came out very precise
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff063.jpg

Then for the real cutting!
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff065.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff066.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff068.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff069.jpg

A bit of fun
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff073.jpg

Eeesh..
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff080.jpg

Ahhhh...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff075.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff076.jpg



continue......

[Theorem]

Prep for painting
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff081.jpg

And after a few coats
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff084.jpg




While that was drying I was going to try and give the glass that "frosted" semi-transparent look, which I really dig.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff086.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff088.jpg

It Soon came to me that that method was not going to do, so I made a sanding block which worked quite well.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff093.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff094.jpg

Came out better than I was expecting.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff096.jpg



I let the black coat dry two days before adding the clear coat, and then let it dry for another two days before moving on.



Ready to apply the glass to the casing. I used some type of super adhesive, which worked suprisingly well.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff099.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff098.jpg

I used a mini soda can to weigh down the glass and give it constant pressure.
(this is the only thing I find those damn things good for)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff100.jpg


The resoldering job
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff103.jpg


Oh, and also I thought it would be nice to hide the power connections, so I bought some black 3/4" wire loom at Kragen Auto Parts.
(not my idea)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff104.jpg



And the finished product...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff106.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff107.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff109.jpg


and in the comp.

with my CCFLs off
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff111.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff101.jpg

and then with them on (camera sucks, my cold cathlodes are accualy very purple! and aren't nearly as bright as the picture displays)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff122.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/seethinkexplode/compandstuff110.jpg


Thats it!
thanks for Reading!

Link to original thread (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6350)