Aurora Storm Trooper mod.

[alienware]

Not often I would chop up a chassis worth a fortune, but this one cost me bugger all really.

I originally set up Nfenix with Quad SLI to run my three screens (pictured here)

But alas the Core 2 Duo was choking it badly.

So a mate of mine sold me an Alienware for peanuts. Do note, the inside isn't going to be pretty. Firstly you can't rewire it as it has three electronic boards that control the case.

So I took my pair of Co ops and drooled for a bit.

Pretty, aren't they? Any way, threw the rig together.

Quick Vantage.

lmao. Onto some small mods for cooling.

And in.

It's tidier now, and I have a fan for the back (cheapo Arctic F12. Again I will repeat, the inside ain't going to be pretty. Trust me, when you pack a pair of co ops next to each other what it looks like doesn't matter. This is the front. The horrid "Just doesn't fit" fan controller is only there to fill a hole. It does have the time and date on which is kinda useful.

Now onto the not very fun part.

Break down.

Bit of cutting.

One hour of burning your hands, blistering your fingers rubbing out bubbles and lots of swearing later.

Will get onto the small bottom part in a minute.

 

[thestepster]

looks good man i loveeee that carbon fibre vinyl used it load and its not expensive really makes that 3M stuff stupid expensive

 

[tinytomlogan]

Does look lush on those curves dude!

 

[KiiYzOo]

awesome

where did you get the vinyl from?

 

[thestepster]

awesome

where did you get the vinyl from?

ebay mate its cheap as hell £10 to do all the work thats going into this mate

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-Fi...paper&var=&hash=item61ccaebcb6#ht_7446wt_1002

 

[alienware]

HORRIBLE BURNING FINGERS

There's no way I'm doing the other side today now.

Any way, pulled off the small part.

Then it kinda goes something like this.

Burn, ouch, stretch, ouch, pull, ouch, rub, ouch, slice pinky finger open, ouch, ouch ouch.

And finally.

It was almost worth it.

The dark side in "Join the green team" shocker.

 

[alienware]

awesome

where did you get the vinyl from?

Poobay. £8.

Cheaper than spray, and you can do it in any weather.

But it's really, truly horrid.

It will be two days before the burns and blisters go away.

 

[KiiYzOo]

lol, I'd love to use some

 

[alienware]

I'd try and get some one to help you. Seriously, it's not much fun, at all.

 

[KiiYzOo]

lol, I could get my dad

 

[alienware]

Yeah that would help.

You need to heat it with a hair dryer. "pros" apparently use a heat gun, but then you have to keep spraying it with water to wet it.

Hairdryer softens it properly, but as soon as you pull it in one direction it creases in another. So you continually have to keep letting it cool, lifting it, then re stretching it.

The large panel took about an hour and I must have stabbed and rubbed out about 50 tiny bubbles. There's no doubt still some on there, but you go boss eyed after a while due to the weave pattern.

 

[Hay11Mac]

Looks good fella, I love that effect.....

 

[Solidarity]

It looks great.

 

[Azurite]

Looks good to me.

 

[alienware]

See this is why I never usually start things like this, because I tend to be unable to stop.

First job was removing the opposing panels. This is a real sod on these cases because the screws are all hidden. Good thing Dell sent me a shop manual then.

Basically there was more marking and cutting like before, but this just pissed me RIGHT OFF.

They want to be more careful bloody rolling it up.

Any way, with the large piece cut I began peeling out the backing and rubbing it down with a cloth.

Certain parts need heat, but getting to this part is kinda easy.

Then cut in some relief cuts. However, you need to be super super careful when stretching as if you pull too much the relief cuts will rip and it's game over.

Flip it back over and begin heating and pulling.

It's then that the fun begins. Peel back, heat, stretch, repeat about ten times. I will say this though I am not a noob with this stuff. Years ago I used to buy manky old arcade machines from a friend of mine up in North London and then through a contact I would buy huge rolls of vinyl before recovering them and selling them. They used to look amazing, but looked like crap when I got them. Any way, once you're all stretched around you simply flip it over and begin heating, pulling and trimming. Ends up looking like this.

Little while later and we are done.

Now we can address the bubbles. Simply pop and rub hard.

Some bubbles may need two holes, or you'll simply rub and make another bubble. Trim the edges closely.

And put back together.

And some stuff I decided to do after.

 

[Azurite]

Voila and you got a new case with great looks. Well done m8.

 

[alienware]

It hides the scratches nicely

Think I prefer painting though. It's probably less hassle.

 

[yassarikhan786]

That looks really good.

 

[alienware]

I've got the bug now. Will have to be careful, everything will end up wrapped

Must.Not.Touch.Other.Alienware.Lunar.Shadow.Rocks.....

 

[sheroo]

Lovely job, looks like an absolute bitch to do though - I admire your patience.