Hello,
I am airdeano, I have been modding PC's for a bit and have started a project "Carbon Isotope 690".
This has all started as an old school case of Cooler Master's CM 690. Plain jane basics of a black
painted exterior, plastic front bezel and top panel, and unpainted interior. I do have the windowed
side panel with that ugly fan spot.
I had started CI 690 back in September as a notion, but with some research online and lurking in
OC3D and other forums, I'd decided to further the idea.
First, gotta field dress the case with all the older components. Disassemble the case, drill and
remove the drive cages and optical bays, top and rear supports, and i/o service.
Next, clean, sand/debur and prep metal surfaces. This was fun and tedious.
Then came the disaster. After applying the etching primer, I started to apply the top color coat in
light coats. After the fourth (waiting 10-15min flash-off) the last cover-coat was applied.
Then it happened, the paint was cracking and lifting in spotty areas. Mainly in high-view areas.
I had to wait 48hrs to view the carnage. broke out the sander and 80grit and it was coming off
in large flakes.. The areas not effected were stubborn and attached, but the layers was too
great to "fill" the gaps. So I had asked a powder coater friend to blast the case to bare. $45.00
later it was done. He graciously offered to coat the frame pieces for material cost. so that part
is done. Now to further the completion. The white 3M Di-NOC is on order along with some other
vinyl knock-offs to compare finish, ease of application and asthectics.
So where are we?, I will assemble the case together without the HDD cage, optis are in danger of
not making it either. motherboard tray has been updated with a cpu cooler cut-out, psu pass-through
and will be fiber-wrapped. The topand front panels have been deribbed behind the mesh. Mesh color
is undecided to remain black or color them white. fthe psu area will need to be smoothed and consider
radiator support. The top of the case has had the "grille" area removed for either the 240 or 360 radiator
support. I have 120.2 and 120.3 radiators for comparison and fittment. Up till now I haven't really sorted
the manufacturers of this build, but as "things fit" into the case i will then show manufacturer support.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm loving this hobby and wanna share..
any comments, questions or suggestions are gladly appreciated.
airdeano
I am airdeano, I have been modding PC's for a bit and have started a project "Carbon Isotope 690".
This has all started as an old school case of Cooler Master's CM 690. Plain jane basics of a black
painted exterior, plastic front bezel and top panel, and unpainted interior. I do have the windowed
side panel with that ugly fan spot.
I had started CI 690 back in September as a notion, but with some research online and lurking in
OC3D and other forums, I'd decided to further the idea.
First, gotta field dress the case with all the older components. Disassemble the case, drill and
remove the drive cages and optical bays, top and rear supports, and i/o service.
Next, clean, sand/debur and prep metal surfaces. This was fun and tedious.
Then came the disaster. After applying the etching primer, I started to apply the top color coat in
light coats. After the fourth (waiting 10-15min flash-off) the last cover-coat was applied.
Then it happened, the paint was cracking and lifting in spotty areas. Mainly in high-view areas.
I had to wait 48hrs to view the carnage. broke out the sander and 80grit and it was coming off
in large flakes.. The areas not effected were stubborn and attached, but the layers was too
great to "fill" the gaps. So I had asked a powder coater friend to blast the case to bare. $45.00
later it was done. He graciously offered to coat the frame pieces for material cost. so that part
is done. Now to further the completion. The white 3M Di-NOC is on order along with some other
vinyl knock-offs to compare finish, ease of application and asthectics.
So where are we?, I will assemble the case together without the HDD cage, optis are in danger of
not making it either. motherboard tray has been updated with a cpu cooler cut-out, psu pass-through
and will be fiber-wrapped. The topand front panels have been deribbed behind the mesh. Mesh color
is undecided to remain black or color them white. fthe psu area will need to be smoothed and consider
radiator support. The top of the case has had the "grille" area removed for either the 240 or 360 radiator
support. I have 120.2 and 120.3 radiators for comparison and fittment. Up till now I haven't really sorted
the manufacturers of this build, but as "things fit" into the case i will then show manufacturer support.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm loving this hobby and wanna share..
any comments, questions or suggestions are gladly appreciated.
airdeano
