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Ive been lurking long enough on this forum so I figured it's time to contribute!
I would also like to thank the community as a whole for the help, inspiration and ideas.
My build is nowhere near the complexity of some other builds, but none the less I am performing some modifications and making it the way I want it.
Its been 4 years now since I upgraded. So I am building a completely new rig.
Here is a direct link to my second post regarding the build: Lighting and Insulation
Here is a direct link to my third post regarding the build: Wire harness fabrication and rocker switch installation.
Here is a direct link to my fourth post regarding the build: The actual build
So here I go:
The case:
I went with the Mini because for starters its a kick ass case, also im limited in terms of size (no longer than 19.5")
First mod to do is put a window in:
My Work area:
Here is a shot of my chicken scratch on paper in terms of window dimensions. I felt strongly about only having the guts showing (no drive bays). Also I would like to mention, after viewing the different window kits available and the end result I chose to do it my own way. Also, for the rounded edges i went with a lid for a container laying around my garage, i figured the red bull can was to sharp of a bend for my molding.
Got some painters tape:
All marked up and ready to cut:
So yah, regular cut off wheels were a no go, had to make a run to the hardware store:
Half way threw the cutting:
The final hole:
Next is the Plexi's turn!
Marked and cutting:
All done:
Next up after removing the burs off the side panel, I chose to paint the bare metal to prevent any possible rust / corrosion.
Cant go wrong with Rust-oleum flat back:
Shot of the bare metal:
Decided to use a sponge to apply the paint:
Another shot of the panel:
While I was waiting for the panel to dry, another light bulb went off: Why not paint the Fractal Design logo on the front panel:
I had the exact paint in mind for it: Mopar touch up paint for my mothers jeep.
The color is a cherry metallic red. For reference here is a shot of the jeep:
It has a needle applicatior, which worked fairly well on the "fractal" part. All I had to do was push and let the ink fill in:
The "design" was much harder. I had to whip out the tools. Some small picks, and tooth picks. I had to use the picks and slightly dab paint into the wanted areas. It was very time consuming:
End result, it came out alright, not to much "leakage":
It was windy out when I was doing this so I figured why not use mother nature to dry my stuff. Behold my makeshift drying setup:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting back the following day after allowing the paint to dry (the Rust-oleum takes forever to dry), Time to finish up the window
Here is the molding I used. Available at almost any auto parts store:
Close up:
Panel in the vice again, makes installing the mold easier:
All done:
Close up of the molding:
To Attach the window I am using Automotive grade 3M adhesive tape, you can get it either online or at an auto body supply place:
Adhesion promoter from 3M. Its a sponge that's filled with a promoting chemical, you apply it to any surface you want the 3M to really stick to. Once again either online or from an auto body supply place:
Here is a shot of 3M tape without using the promoter:
Here is a shot of 3M tape with using the promoter:
As you can see in the first pic, the tape peels off without much effort. In the second pic I had to really scratch at it just to roll up the small part i got there. The adhesion promoter works wonders for making a permanent bond.
A pic of the window area already applied with the promoter:
And here comes the 3M tape, with a beer
:
I had to layer up the tape to bring the window out a bit because of the molding. I went a total of three layers high:
This is how the window will be attached. I also mocked up where to apply the Adhesive promoter on the actual plexiglass:
Window attached:
End result:
I think it came out great! Better than the kits that use the big ugly seal or bolts to hold it in place. Also after adhering the window the panel feels even more stiff than it was prior to cutting it up. There is no way in hell that window is coming off, not unless i feel like damaging the panel it self.
Last pic for the first post of this WL. I used a Mr. Clean Magic eraser and softly rubbed the front panel that i painted. It removed some of the bleed out I had.
Stay tuned for more!
I would also like to thank the community as a whole for the help, inspiration and ideas.
My build is nowhere near the complexity of some other builds, but none the less I am performing some modifications and making it the way I want it.
Its been 4 years now since I upgraded. So I am building a completely new rig.
Here is a direct link to my second post regarding the build: Lighting and Insulation
Here is a direct link to my third post regarding the build: Wire harness fabrication and rocker switch installation.
Here is a direct link to my fourth post regarding the build: The actual build
So here I go:
The case:
I went with the Mini because for starters its a kick ass case, also im limited in terms of size (no longer than 19.5")
First mod to do is put a window in:
My Work area:
Here is a shot of my chicken scratch on paper in terms of window dimensions. I felt strongly about only having the guts showing (no drive bays). Also I would like to mention, after viewing the different window kits available and the end result I chose to do it my own way. Also, for the rounded edges i went with a lid for a container laying around my garage, i figured the red bull can was to sharp of a bend for my molding.
Got some painters tape:
All marked up and ready to cut:
So yah, regular cut off wheels were a no go, had to make a run to the hardware store:
Half way threw the cutting:
The final hole:
Next is the Plexi's turn!
Marked and cutting:
All done:
Next up after removing the burs off the side panel, I chose to paint the bare metal to prevent any possible rust / corrosion.
Cant go wrong with Rust-oleum flat back:
Shot of the bare metal:
Decided to use a sponge to apply the paint:
Another shot of the panel:
While I was waiting for the panel to dry, another light bulb went off: Why not paint the Fractal Design logo on the front panel:
I had the exact paint in mind for it: Mopar touch up paint for my mothers jeep.
The color is a cherry metallic red. For reference here is a shot of the jeep:
It has a needle applicatior, which worked fairly well on the "fractal" part. All I had to do was push and let the ink fill in:
The "design" was much harder. I had to whip out the tools. Some small picks, and tooth picks. I had to use the picks and slightly dab paint into the wanted areas. It was very time consuming:
End result, it came out alright, not to much "leakage":
It was windy out when I was doing this so I figured why not use mother nature to dry my stuff. Behold my makeshift drying setup:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting back the following day after allowing the paint to dry (the Rust-oleum takes forever to dry), Time to finish up the window
Here is the molding I used. Available at almost any auto parts store:
Close up:
Panel in the vice again, makes installing the mold easier:
All done:
Close up of the molding:
To Attach the window I am using Automotive grade 3M adhesive tape, you can get it either online or at an auto body supply place:
Adhesion promoter from 3M. Its a sponge that's filled with a promoting chemical, you apply it to any surface you want the 3M to really stick to. Once again either online or from an auto body supply place:
Here is a shot of 3M tape without using the promoter:
Here is a shot of 3M tape with using the promoter:
As you can see in the first pic, the tape peels off without much effort. In the second pic I had to really scratch at it just to roll up the small part i got there. The adhesion promoter works wonders for making a permanent bond.
A pic of the window area already applied with the promoter:
And here comes the 3M tape, with a beer
:
I had to layer up the tape to bring the window out a bit because of the molding. I went a total of three layers high:
This is how the window will be attached. I also mocked up where to apply the Adhesive promoter on the actual plexiglass:
Window attached:
End result:
I think it came out great! Better than the kits that use the big ugly seal or bolts to hold it in place. Also after adhering the window the panel feels even more stiff than it was prior to cutting it up. There is no way in hell that window is coming off, not unless i feel like damaging the panel it self.
Last pic for the first post of this WL. I used a Mr. Clean Magic eraser and softly rubbed the front panel that i painted. It removed some of the bleed out I had.
Stay tuned for more!
Last edited:
