A different kind of project..

[thrill me]

I'm starting a project on tuseday (hopefully), its kind of strange, its not car modeling but I thought I'd post it here since u guys know alot about painting and cutting plastic.

I'm moddin' a mobile phone, a nokia 8210
A pic of it is available here

Main reason for posting here is to get tips on what type of paint i should use, the phone will be used every day and I dont want the paint to peel off. Any tips on how i should paint it, tips on color schemes are welcome too

Other tips on how to mod it are welcome as well.
The things I am planning to do with it this far are:

* Changing the LED color of the display (haven't decided if I'll do it myself or if I'm gonna let experts do it.)

* Painting the buttons (maybe two tone, for example the middle row of buttons would be gunmetal and the two outer rows will be silver.)

* Painting the front (Two tone.)

* Painting the back (got no ideas)

* Upgrading the software (will cost lots of money tho =/)

* Moddin the speaker holes (They are placed as a wave, I want them to be placed as a curve, hard to explain)

Got no other ideas at the moment but ill think of more.
So if u have ideas just bring them on

(If any of u mods think this thread is too non-model related please move it to the off topic forum or delete it.)

[daggerlee]

Cool idea, when I installed an Afterburner kit into my Gameboy Advance I also painted mine.

Things to consider:
What kind of plastic is it? Is it ABS, Polystyrene, or something else?

Use automotive lacquer paints with an automotive lacquer primer, these are generally the toughest paints out there.

I wouldn't recommend changing the LED unless you have a good understanding of electronics.

Even if you get a really good paint job, be VERY careful handling the phone! You really don't want to chip it or scratch it, because touching up the paintjob will be a PITA.

Good luck, modeling skills will be very helpful.

[thrill me]

Is there anything I can do to prevent scratches besides taking it easy with the phone?

[Wishmaster]

Clear coating the whole phone adds another layer of protection and if that one chips first, at least your paintobisn't ruined directly.
Good luck

Greetz
Stefan

[ShOrtyOC714]

No offense but, Isnt this a modeling forum last time i was here???

[thrill me]

The part I'm most worried about is the keypad, if i paint that the color will be gone after a few days right? Dunno how to do it..

[thrill me]

Originally posted by Shorty4859
No offense but, Isnt this a modeling forum last time i was here???

yeah.. it is.

edit: this is less off-topic then the digicam threads tho.. anyway report it to a mod if u feel offended by it or for any other reason want it deleted.

[daggerlee]

Originally posted by thrill me
Is there anything I can do to prevent scratches besides taking it easy with the phone?

Store it in a protective pouch when you're not using it, make sure you don't put it together with anything metal that can scratch it. Also, use a lacquer clearcoat like Wishmaster says.

For the keypad, depends on the material. Is it hard plastic or rubber? If it's rubber, don't bother. I was going to paint the buttons on my GBA, but the Start/Select buttons are rubber, so it wouldn't look right to have everything painted except those two.

I used the Duplicolor Mirage colorchanging paint, comes with primer, color coat, and clear coat all in one. Is pretty good. I just chipped the battery cover ( tiny bit) so I'm going to spray some color into a can and touch it up with a brush.

[thrill me]

hmm, shall I sand it first? before I paint it.

[daggerlee]

Sand it with 400 wetordry sandpaper, to give the primer something to bite into. Some cell phone cases have "bumpy" texture, if you want a smooth glossy paintjob, you had best sand all the bumps down until it is smooth.

[thrill me]

ok, well the painting part will be the last thing I do anyway..
I have another problem tho, if I paint the keypad all the numbers will go away.. I've thought of this and painting them by hand is out of the question..

I'm short on ideas on what else to do with the phone too, there are lots of things to do, just can't think of any

[thrill me]

yay, got the phone today i think i'll put the project on hold in lack of ideas tho =/

[integra818]

Get the clear cover and paint it from behind like an R/C car.

[Forhod]

Won't the heat from the phone melts the paint if sprayed behind the cover?

[thrill me]

Good idea about the clear cover! ill try that.. dont think the phone gets so hot that the paint will melt.