modding an intellimouse 3.0

[sysxtem]

hi everyone, im new to the forums, but have been searching around a lot to get the right information on how to mod my mouse.

so heres what ive done:
1: taken apart the mouse
2: picked up some DUPLI-COLOR VINYL & FABRIC COATING
3: and started painting.

now my results so far are not that of good results. i dont kno if i let it dry to long or not, but the paint hasnt hardened so now im going to wait awhile until it does. on the bottom part of the mouse, the dark grey area(or the frame) that i painted, has these ridged edges on the bottom. im thinking i sprayed too much paint, and didnt let it sit long enough.

so could anyone else give me some tips on how to paint it? im trying to do light, small increments of coating. to answer all your questions, no i did NOT sand it, as i have read you COULD sand it, but then the paint would not absorb into the plastic.

anything would be helpful, as this is the 1st mouse of 2. i cant screw up on the next one.

 

[jreffy]

no i did NOT sand it, as i have read you COULD sand it, but then the paint would not absorb into the plastic.

I don't know where you got your information from, but I have never heard that sanding plastic prevents the paint from absorbing in. You sand before painting because you want a rough surface for the paint to cling to. Even if you do sand it, I have no idea how that would prevent your paint from seeping into the plastic, it's still the same plastic, it didn't suddenly change when you sanded it.

There are some specialty paints out there, I don't remember the name but I know Krylon and Dupli-color both make a specific type for painting plastics. You might want to try those. as well as reading several painting guides, and mouse-modding guides/worklogs that are already out there.

 

[sysxtem]

yes, as i said i picked up DUPLI-COLOR VINYL & FABRIC which is what most people recommended, besides the KRYLON FUSION. its a vinyl dye. and doesnt require sanding, and has been said by other users that sanding could make it worse, and you would have to use a primer.

and now im just waiting for the mouse to dry a bit more. so if anyone has any suggestions plz fill me in.

thanks in advance.

 

[gregnash]

When you say you did small increments of coating, did you put down alot of paint. The easiest way to get a good, even, smooth coat is to put down very LIGHT coats. Do numerous ones of these and you will get the best results. As for the rest of the ridges and stuff, post some pics so we can see what you are talking about. Might be that the area you painted in was just to cold, you did not give it enough flash time......etc. Best bet is that if you are now unhappy with the painting, sand it down to the plastic again and then start over. One quick recommendation would be to heat some water on your stove till its good and hot, not boiling, turn off the heat and then put the can in the water for a few minutes. This loosens the paint inside and "liquifies" it better. Then do light coats, when I say light I mean you do not have to have every inch covered if you can still seem some of the original color then that is fine. Let it dry for a good 15 or so minutes and then do another coat the same way.