The Mother Board

[Mnpctech.com]

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 [URL="http://www.mnpctech.com/BlackRecessedHandle.html"]recessed PC handles
[/URL]



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



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!

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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

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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 [URL="http://www.mnpctech.com/Bullet-Thumb-Screws.html"]bullet thumbscrews[/URL] to look more authentic.







More to Come.......

[Mnpctech.com]

Today, I painted the Asus Sabertooth P67 "tuf shield" camo, to match interior & exterior of the Fractal-Design Arc Midi











exterior...

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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

[Mnpctech.com]

Camouflaged the EVGA 560ti fan shroud, to match the painted interior of the PC.





I chose PATRIOT MEMORY for our system memory and solid state storage!

[url="http://patriotmemory.com/"]Patriot Memory[/url] WILDFIRE



[url="http://patriotmemory.com/"]Patriot Memory[/url] Division 2, VIPER EXTREME, DDR3

[Mnpctech.com]

Here are the final photos from the photo session this week. The PC will be at Fractal-Design's booth at 2012 CES.

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Fractal-Design's Video of my recent Battlefield 3 Case Mod for Fractal-Design NA... "Arm your Rattle Cans for Camouflage Action!"

http://youtu.be/7jjBGAett2g

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ThinkComputers.org dropped by my booth at CES for video of Battlefield 3 PC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZO9H1Qs8Zs

[timeDrift]

that is nice job you did with you case keep up the good work I am sure the brothers in arm will like that case you build