NETWizz
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
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A friend of mine has a Dell XPS Inspiron 15 that she wants to be painted bright pink on account she is a breast cancer survivor and it would be meaningful to her.
She asked if I would give it a try, and I indicated yes. I told her it will be no charge (she is a friend of the family), but I forgot how expensive it is to do the job right, lol. I informed her it would take about a week. I used to work for a chain of body shops doing IT work and KNOW exactly how to do their job because I was curious and a friend trained me... and they did excellent work, so I took this as a challenge.
What I bought:
1. I called several PPG stores that sell some of the world's best Automotive paint and they can mix up rattle cans right there. I had them mix up a bright-pink 1K type can... They mixed it up as plastic bumper automotive paint /w flex agent, so it should never peal or flake. It was $22! I also bought a can of PPG automotive primer adhesion promotor that is suitable for use on plastic parts. Ironically this stuff is clear. It was $17.
2. Then I went to Pep Boys and bought some Grey Scuff pads ($10), Tack cloths ($5), Prep-Solvent in a spray can ($9), quart of 3M Bondo ($18), Tube of 3M Bondo Hardener ($7), plastic spatula ($4). Sandpaper 220, 320, 400, 600, 800 1500, 2000, 3000 (9 gritts @ $4 each), and 5000 ($6). A Sanding block ($5).
3. I then got on the Internet and ordered a Can of the Eastwood Ultra-High-Gloss 2k Clear because it is virtually the only true automotive clear coat in a spray can that yields chemically hardened/catalyzed paint that is chemical resistant and does not yellow. I repeat... do NOT buy those 1k clears in a spray can. 1k means one component (no hardener). The 2k stuff you have to smash a plastic piece in the bottom and shake it for about 5 minutes.. .then you have to spray right away or it dries/hardens in the can!
4. Lowes Respirator $30
Here is the plan:
1. Break it down to paint the LCD bezel, cover, and palm rest properly... Taping is NOT the way to properly do any type of paint work. Tape over the logo on the lcd cover.
2. Clean it with the prep solvent.
3. Apply some Bondo to fill scome heavy scratches, chips, etc.
4. Sand the Bondo lightly with 220 and 320 and 400.
5. Clean it with prep solvent
5. Resand the entire laptop with 600 and 800 and wipe down with dry rag wearing gloves.
6.Wipe with solvent again. Hang each piece with fishing line attached by tiny dab of super glue from inside (will never be visible when laptop is assembled)
7. Wipe with tack cloth.
8. Two (2) light coats of PPG primer.
9. At least three (3) coats of the PPG Base Coat... or one more than full hiding (whichever is more).
10. At least three (3) but probably five (5) coats of the 2K clear.
Final work...
Should be dry in a couple hours... Wait 24 hours
1. Wet sand with 1500 until ALL orange peal is removed.
2. Sand again with 2000, 3000, and ultimately 5000. At this point it should only be slightly hazed.
3. Use a Foam pad and DA with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to remove sanding haze/swirls
4. Use Polishing Foam Pad with DA and Meguiar's #205 to Polish to brilliant shine.
5. Use a Finsihing Foam Pad and DA with Meguiar's Ultimate Polish to go above and beyond making a showcar finish.
Re-assemble laptop.
It should be extremely glossy, chemical resistant, chip resistant, etc. You should see your reflection in it if done right.
She asked if I would give it a try, and I indicated yes. I told her it will be no charge (she is a friend of the family), but I forgot how expensive it is to do the job right, lol. I informed her it would take about a week. I used to work for a chain of body shops doing IT work and KNOW exactly how to do their job because I was curious and a friend trained me... and they did excellent work, so I took this as a challenge.
What I bought:
1. I called several PPG stores that sell some of the world's best Automotive paint and they can mix up rattle cans right there. I had them mix up a bright-pink 1K type can... They mixed it up as plastic bumper automotive paint /w flex agent, so it should never peal or flake. It was $22! I also bought a can of PPG automotive primer adhesion promotor that is suitable for use on plastic parts. Ironically this stuff is clear. It was $17.
2. Then I went to Pep Boys and bought some Grey Scuff pads ($10), Tack cloths ($5), Prep-Solvent in a spray can ($9), quart of 3M Bondo ($18), Tube of 3M Bondo Hardener ($7), plastic spatula ($4). Sandpaper 220, 320, 400, 600, 800 1500, 2000, 3000 (9 gritts @ $4 each), and 5000 ($6). A Sanding block ($5).
3. I then got on the Internet and ordered a Can of the Eastwood Ultra-High-Gloss 2k Clear because it is virtually the only true automotive clear coat in a spray can that yields chemically hardened/catalyzed paint that is chemical resistant and does not yellow. I repeat... do NOT buy those 1k clears in a spray can. 1k means one component (no hardener). The 2k stuff you have to smash a plastic piece in the bottom and shake it for about 5 minutes.. .then you have to spray right away or it dries/hardens in the can!
4. Lowes Respirator $30
Here is the plan:
1. Break it down to paint the LCD bezel, cover, and palm rest properly... Taping is NOT the way to properly do any type of paint work. Tape over the logo on the lcd cover.
2. Clean it with the prep solvent.
3. Apply some Bondo to fill scome heavy scratches, chips, etc.
4. Sand the Bondo lightly with 220 and 320 and 400.
5. Clean it with prep solvent
5. Resand the entire laptop with 600 and 800 and wipe down with dry rag wearing gloves.
6.Wipe with solvent again. Hang each piece with fishing line attached by tiny dab of super glue from inside (will never be visible when laptop is assembled)
7. Wipe with tack cloth.
8. Two (2) light coats of PPG primer.
9. At least three (3) coats of the PPG Base Coat... or one more than full hiding (whichever is more).
10. At least three (3) but probably five (5) coats of the 2K clear.
Final work...
Should be dry in a couple hours... Wait 24 hours
1. Wet sand with 1500 until ALL orange peal is removed.
2. Sand again with 2000, 3000, and ultimately 5000. At this point it should only be slightly hazed.
3. Use a Foam pad and DA with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to remove sanding haze/swirls
4. Use Polishing Foam Pad with DA and Meguiar's #205 to Polish to brilliant shine.
5. Use a Finsihing Foam Pad and DA with Meguiar's Ultimate Polish to go above and beyond making a showcar finish.
Re-assemble laptop.
It should be extremely glossy, chemical resistant, chip resistant, etc. You should see your reflection in it if done right.
