Case Mod & PC build for "Battlefield 3"

[MonsterMawd]

Here is the "BF3" theme case mod in anticipation of Battlefield 3: BF3 release on 10.25.2011 by Electronic Arts. Fractal Design's Arc Mid tower case was chosen for the project.

Fractal Design new "Arc" Midi Tower Case.

Fractal design Arc Mid tower fully dismantled for custom paint.

The name badge in the bezel was filled with Evercoat's Everglass" Fiberglass "short hair" filler.

After sanding the filler with Medium Grit sandpaper..

Scuffing surface of steel chassis parts, plastic bezel with Red Scothbrite Pad, to create paint adhesion for the Primer.

Dissected and Magnified each segment from camouflage pattern on 8.5" x 11" paper. Each segment was traced and cut in cardboard for individual stencils.

RUSTOLEUM Specialty series "camouflage" paints. I purchased these from Home Depot

Camouflage paint job is finished.

Camouflaged motherboard tray? Yes, the entire interior was painted.



For a rugged military look, we chose these recessed PC case handles, http://www.mnpctech.com/BlackRecessedHandle.html

The recessed PC handles are ready for installation and spring loaded, so they don't flop while transporting your PC.

Using stencil included with handles along with measuring square to determine exact location for the recessed PC handles

Using 1.5" Dremel reinforced cutting wheel to cut opening for recessed PC handles

Using 1/4" drill bit for mounting holes of the recessed handles.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Cutting 3/16" thick aluminum Diamond Plate to use as accent plates for the handles.

Khaki base coat applied to the Diamond Plate accent plates.

Recessed PC handles and diamond plate installed and painted.

Airbrushed effect of side panel being peeled back by Mnpctech custom painter, Brad Galvin.

Brad's weapon of choice, Iwata's HP-CH airbrush gun.

Glowing effect airbrushed on the BF3 Marine.

Black outline airbrushed on BF3 Marine. A flat clear will be applied over the finished mural.

with Brad's guidance, I airbrushed the bullet holes and scratched paint effects on the access panel. I started with the easy task of filling the BF3 stencil on the left side panel.

To create bullet holes in the cast acrylic PC window sheet, using #9901 Dremel Attachment Tungsten Carbide Cutter for Engraving

Using Dremel to create bullet holes...

The illusion of bullet holes, created in the custom paint and made in the cast acrylic PC window sheet

Just a few more details to take care of, then we can install the system!

 

[ncc74656]

very very nice work. I wish i was able to do art . im fine with all the sheet metal but when it comes to a brush i might as well finger paint. excellent case tho, grats. now i can only pray that BF3 lives up to the case you have built for it...

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thank you for the kind words!

regarding the window frame, it's upcoming modular billet kit for http://www.mnpctech.com/casemodstore.html ...hopefully be avail in few weeks

 

[ncc74656]

i love modded cases, i use to build high end liquid cooled comps with cases that had been hand painted. just amazing detail in the case, i cant wrap my mind around how people can do this even after working with them. the cases are often worth 2 or 3 times that of the components inside them. one of the places ive worked with http://unrealdream.com/custom_painted_cases.htm

 

[MonsterMawd]

Very cool! and Yes, it's amazing how this market has grown. I would have never imagined there would be $300+ retail cases on the market...now we're seeing $600+ retail prices for Silverstone and TT....

Painting the machined aluminum bullet thumbscrews to look more authentic.

The surface is first prepped, using red scotch brite pad to scuff the bare aluminum

Is that a "cribbage board" for thumbscrews?, drilling holes in a piece of wood, works great for holding thumbscrews for paint. The threads were taped off.

For maximum paint adhesion, we use SEM brand self etching primer for the base coat

A couple coats of grey self etching primer

for holding the bullet thumbscrews, tape the bullet thumbscrews to paint stick

Paint entire bullet first copper color first, mask off the tip after cured, then paint the shell brass color.

After the paint has cured, I dry brushed the shells with "Antiquing Gel" by Home Decor. "Dry brushing" means you are painting with a brush that is almost 100% dry. It's an easy way to create a weathered effect or highlights. These are machined aluminum bullet thumbscrews

After 2 hours, the "Antiquing Gel" had cured. The final coat is a "Flat" Clear coat aerosol paint by KRYLON

 

[ncc74656]

if you dont do this already you need to start offering to mod peoples cases. the cases i worked with were just air brushed and we charged 1K per case. the level of modding you are doing is well above that. you could make bank...

 

[MonsterMawd]

Yes, I would expect $1K and higher for Patrick's work....this build is for Fractal's booth at CES.

 

[MonsterMawd]

More detailing ahead..

I'm adding lil weathering beneath rack handles

rack handles for bezel, give it more "field equipment" look

I torn-up scotch-brite pads are great for adding blotchy or speckled paint effect..

After I airbrushed over the Orange paint areas.... I also shaded over the "BF3" text...

Ok, now it's Break time, Who is open at 11pm? hmm White Castle SLIDERS!

We need more Billet Bullet Thumbscrews! these will be lodged in the window holes...

Painting the machined aluminum bullet thumbscrews to look more authentic.

 

[ncc74656]

dude... amazing! do you have a website where you can be contacted by others who want this level of work done? if you dont then as soon as you finish this you need to make one. I know many people who would be willing to pay good money for such extreme and perfect case mods... what you have is a bloody talent that needs to be shared with all for profit.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thank you, will you be at CES? private message me Today, I painted the Asus Sabertooth P67 "tuf shield" camo, to match interior & exterior of the Fractal-Design Arc Midi

exterior...

 

[MonsterMawd]

Stealthed Blu-Ray drive face, painted and installed fan speed controller...

 

[bdizzle11]

That looks amazing so far, wish I had the skills/tools to get into modding. Keep us updated!

 

[samuelspark]

Oh snap! Very nice case. I love how your so deticated. I would pay 2k-3k for your custom made cases if I had the money.

 

[Cygnus x-1]

Very nice... On a side note, curse Dice for making BF3 so addicting.

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thank you for commenting! I will keep you updated

 

[MonsterMawd]

For the top exhaust fan, I'm painting this 120mm "Sniper billet fan grill, http://www.mnpctech.com/MnpctechBilletFanGrill.html

 

[FinneousPJ]

Wow that's amazing!

 

[ncc74656]

your ability to blend paint from menards never ceases to amaze

 

[pdxoutdoors]

Incredible work. How many hours would you say you put into this?

Every done a Star Wars theme?

 

[MonsterMawd]

@FinneousPJ, Thank you for tuning in and commenting

@ncc74656, saves time & money over House of Kolor...haha

@pdxoutdoors, not yet and haven't counted. thanks for post!

 

[MonsterMawd]

While I'm still waiting for the system hardware to arrive,
I'm adding final details to the interior, like these 140mm Honeycomb Fan Grills for the exhaust and floor intake, I've painting them camouflage, to match the painted interior.

http://www.mnpctech.com/120mm_Custom_FanGrill.html



Supplies in order of Use.
1. Red Scotch brite Pad to scuff the surface of the grills
2. Tack Cloth to clean
3. Red Primer (any color is fine)
4. Apply Rustoleum "Specialty Series" Camouflage Paints
5. Apply Matte Clear

 

[Lfluxx]

Dude! This is insane! I've never seen anything like this, its truly amazing. Keep up the awesome work, I wish I could do stuff like this. I was impressed by my little cable management mod but this has just blown that out of the window

 

[MonsterMawd]

Thank you! and Sorry for lack of updates. ..I'm working on 3 other custom builds for CES, and it's getting down to crunch time.. The system hardware for BF3 has finally started arriving, so I could update you! First was Intel's i-7 2600 and Prolimtech Genesis cpu cooler. I was initially concerned about space for install / uninstall of the Patriot memory modules (w/ heat spreaders), but there is plenty of space! I bumped the asus sabertooth optional 50mm fan hole for cooling the P67 chipset to 60mm...and camouflaged the fan too! Final detail was cover the Apevia "Green blade" cooling fans with 120mm billet "Sniper" fan grills

 

[IceBloodedZero]

Astonishing. I didn't know that people were out there that modded Cases to look so unreal. I think I've found something new to watch closely. Thanks for sharing your work MonsterMawd!

Cannot wait to see the final product!