Tutorial: How to cut and paint your case

Lethal_NFS · 09-02-2007, 05:01 PM

Here is my guide to cutting your own modded case.

To start I suggest you get the following tools:
1. Dremel 400 XPR (5,000-35,000rpm) You will need all 35,000rpms to make the best cuts.
2. 1/16 and 1/8 chizzel bits
3. (40-60), (120), (500-600) grit sandpaper

First get a design picked out. After you choose your design you will want to draw it on the case with a pencil. The pencil wipes off easily if you mess up. To draw the image on the case I printed out a my picture and cut it out. Here is the image I chose.

Now after cutting it out I taped the cut image to the case and traced it out with the pencil.

Now for the outer ring of the logo I chose the 1/8 bit to chizzel out the plastic. And for the "3" I used the 1/16 bit. (click on link up top to see image of the chizzel bits)

After your cuts you will want to use some Bondo to fill in the grooves and divots you might have made. You can also fill in the "Xbox 360" and "Microsoft" areas of the case.

After your done with your cuts you will notice that it doesnt look too great. Thats okay because you have lots of sanding to do.
Start with the coarse grit paper first. The 50-60 grit is used to get the shape your looking for and to flatten out the grooves you made while cutting. After you are done shaping out the image you will want to switch over to the 120 grit paper to smooth out the marks you made with the 50-60 grit paper. After your done you can use the 500-600 grit as needed to make the scrapes dissapear.
Now you have your cut made and sanded. Now its time to flip the case over and prepare the back for a window.
You are going to want to chizzel away any parts that will be in the way of the plexiglass window you will install later if you choose to do so. In the first picture is a shot of a normal back case. The 2nd picture shows our cut and where I chizzeled for the window to fit.

Now we are off to paint! Make sure you prime the case before painting. I also used masking tape to cover the clips to both sides of the case. After priming be sure to use your 500+ grit paper to sand it down and make it nice a smooth. I am assuming that most people will use aerosol paint. The best paint that I found is Krylon Fusion Paint
Add 2-3 coats of paint to the case allowing 30mins in between each coat. Wait a few hours and apply a clear coat. Any aerosol laquer will do.
MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PAINT IN COLD TEMPERATURES!!!! This will result in orange peel and separation.

Now for the finished product!

sLux · 09-02-2007, 05:04 PM

Zomfg, nice read!! I think this will help many people, i wont do it myself tho

Catalyst · 09-02-2007, 05:22 PM

nice, but i won't be doing this one either

Dnasty777 · 09-02-2007, 05:24 PM

I bought a refurbished system and there's no warranty I know of so I might be doing something like this

Lethal_NFS · 09-02-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dnasty777

I bought a refurbished system and there's no warranty I know of so I might be doing something like this

Well dont hesitate to ask any questions. I love to help members create their own custom cases.

Foxracer1 · 09-02-2007, 05:39 PM

^^awesome case mods

Beefjerky01 · 09-02-2007, 05:43 PM

Shweeeet!!

BTW: Anyway to possibly mod the 360 with a better fan or something that will keep the interior from becoming too hot? (Newbie at modding, obviously.)

Lethal_NFS · 09-02-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefjerky01

Shweeeet!!

BTW: Anyway to possibly mod the 360 with a better fan or something that will keep the interior from becoming too hot? (Newbie at modding, obviously.)

Of course you can. In fact I highly recommend it. The stock fan is not good enough to cool this system. Thats a fact. I have a high speed XCM adjustable blue LED fan in my console. I can change the speed of the fan with the digital LCD monitor attatched to the back of the console. It also shows the temps of the GPU and CPU.

http://www.divineo.com/cgi-bin/div-us/zz-360-highsp

Beefjerky01 · 09-02-2007, 05:48 PM

Does modding the 360 with the recommended product void any warranty on the 360?

Lethal_NFS · 09-02-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefjerky01

Does modding the 360 with the recommended product void any warranty on the 360?

Opening the case voids warranty right away. But on the plus side. I have had my Xbox 360 since April 06. I put those fans in and took the dumb tin shield out of the case and I have never had a single heat problem since Ive had it.