The top case and front bezel are quite rough so look like you could just clean them up and spray straight on, but the bottom case and display housing are very smooth, but they are at least sligtly different to the late G4 iBook cases.
Any advice in painting a complete MacBook case? ModYourMac, I'm thinking of you when I ask this question. I'd like the finish to be as durable as possible.
I started my mod today, I took a small step and started work on the screen bezel.
Here is how i'm doing it:
1. rub down with 800 grade wet and dry (wet) 2. Using plastic primer apply two coats. 3. Apply a few layers of paint. (if you get imperfections in the colour coat you can sand down with 100 or 1500 fine grade wet and dry (wet). then respray. I cure the paint with a hair dryer to speed up the process as its cold in England at the moment (its nearly june and it wet and nasty) 4. sand down the colour coat lightly with 1500 grade wet and dry (wet) so that it has a matt finish. 5. Apply sever layers of clear coating.
I am using automotive paint as they are harder wearing.
I'm going to start a log for this some time with pictures showing my progress and how im doing it. This is the first time i've done something like this so i'm unsure as to how it will turn out.
I'd be interested to see the finished product. To be honest, I don't have a compressor or anything, and I have never gotten good results from spray cans. I might just get a quote from a bodyshop.
Hey War, you know you can PM me or email me directly, if you have questions
As far as macbook painting, here's what I would do. First, figure you're gonna have to gut the entire machine in order to get down to plastics. So keep track of where everything goes, make a screw map, and keep it all organized. Do this, and you'll thank me later. I promise.
But, once you're down to bare plastics, I'd scuff them with 800-1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. you dont want the surface all gouged up, you just want to take it down flat and get the gloss off it. Then, mask off things like the bottom feet with masking paer. Mask anything you dont want painted. Then, a good sandable primer would be next. several coats, and then a light sand (dry) with 800 grit, justy to smooth it, an pull off the dust. Wipe down with a tack cloth as well.
Once your primer is smooth, if you're using spray paint, you should be able to go straight to your color coats. However, if you're using something semi-transparent, I'd spray on a flat white automotive first. Likewise, if you want some sparkle, get one of those transparent sparkle coats and spray that over your white, and under your color coat. If you're going with just a solid opaque color, dont worry about it. When spraying, read the directions on the can, shake the can constantly, and work in even strokes. You'll want to put several coats on with appropriate flash times, so the paint can build up. Once the paint has cured for the full drying time (24-48 hours at least) I would wet sand it with 2000 grit, in order to get it super smooth. Then, clear coat your color. Same as paint, give it plenty of drying time. Then wet sand with 2k grit, and use a good rubbing compound to polish it out. 3M makes a good compound in a black bottle. You'll be amazed at the shine you get. I promise.
War, if you want more detail, email me directly at [url=mailto:info@modyourmac.com]mailto:info@modyourmac.com[/url]
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Electricity tastes good. No, seriously.
It was all going well until we had to remove the keyboard to double check everything. the connection didnt come off properly and destroyed half the pins.
Its 10 to 12 at night so im giving up until morning. Will try and solder the pins back on.
If i cant solder it i'm going to need a new English topcase. It's going to be very hard to find one.
I have stacks of case parts for MacBooks Especially top cases. They are discoloured so have been removed, but many work just fine. PM me if you want one Eul. Won't cost you much.
As for screw diagrams, thanks for the tip MYM, but I could gut one of these in my sleep. It was your painting expertise I was after. I have never used clear coats on anything, but I have heard the term bandied about in various places and figured this would be a job where one (or more) would be required. Can I accomplish a good finish with off the shelf cans of auto paint?
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