Painting your Amiga in 10 easy steps.

[Mick_AKA]

I've been seeing allot of pics all over the place of poorly sprayed amigas and ones with peeling paint and cracks.

As my Amiga's paint job has been good for over a year I thought I would share exactly how I went about it.


I have sprayed 5 Amigas now using various methods, although you may think yours looks great with just a few coats of spray over it your paint job is not going to last for any good length of time.


What you need:

x1 Amiga
x1 Philips Head Screwdriver
x1-2 Cans of Low Build Plastic Primer (if you cant get this High Build is ok but use sparingly)
x1 sheet of fine (but not the finest) carbon/sand paper available.
x1-2 cans of your desired colour in Auto Spray Paint
x1 can of clear auto spray lacquer.




IMPORTANT NOTE
For a really professional finish you should spray the inside edges of your casing, this should always be done BEFORE spraying the outside of the case.



Step 1. Dismantle your Amiga down to the bare outer casing, this may seem pretty obvious but allot of folks try and mask the keys and ports off which just gets messy and gives your a terrible finish.
Don’t forget to remove the badge (carefully without bending it) and the case LEDs.


Step 2. Gently rub the entire case with a very fine grade of carbon/sand paper, this will initially give your casing a rough feel and allow the primer to key properly to the surface.

If you have any custom holes you want to cut into it for drives or ports NOW is the time to do it.


Step 3. Clean the outer casing thoroughly, I left mine in a bath of soapy water and scrubbed it before rinsing it off any drying it out overnight.
If you spray it with any dirt/dust or plastic particles from the rubbing present your paint will flake in these areas.


Step 4. Spray with a coat of low build plastic primer, spray with the can a couple of feet from the casing in long horizontal sweeps.
Make sure you spray from several different angles.
DO NOT try and totally cover the surface yet, this is just the first coat and if you spray on too much your paint will run and/bunch.


Step 5. Leave until touch dry in a clean area, when spraying dust and insects are your enemy!


Step 6. Spray with second coat of primer paying attention to any areas missed with the first coat, leave until touch dry.


Step 7. Apply a coat of your chosen colour to the casing, remember just get a rough coverage.
Leave for 10-20 minuets and repeat.
Leave for another 10-20 minuets and repeat again paying attention to any areas you missed or did not cover sufficiently with the last two coats.


Step 8. Leave your casing to dry overnight, again you may think it has dried in a couple of hours but it needs to harden overnight.
Your case flexes slightly when reassembling so doing so before the paint has hardened could ruin your paint job.


Step 9. Apply a liberal coat of the clear lacquer and leave until touch dry.


Step 10. Re-Assemble your Amiga carefully, try not to knock your new paint work with any of the metal internals.



NOTES

You should now be left with a great looking and robust paint finish as high quality as on the bodywork of a car and it should last just as long.


Spay smaller parts such as buttons or keys individually at a distance of about 5 feet! any closer and the force of the spray can blow the parts around and you risk applying far too much paint to the surface.


Re-apply your original/custom Amiga badge to the casing with double sided tape NEVER EVER use super glue or epoxy on your paintwork.



Mick_AKA :)

[laser]

nice guide but you forgot to add some pics...
please add them

[keropi]

I was always wondering how you paint an amiga (computer) ... thanks! :spin

[Zetr0]

@Mick_AKA

Great Overview!!! :great


the longer you leave it between coats the better the finnish... a good 60mins in a dishwasher at 60c works wonders and really cleans and opens the plastic!

a good air dry for a couple of hours and its ready for Mick's Step 4

[DrF]

In a Amiga mag years ago there was a fluorescent super mega brite green A500. It really did look odd.

[P-J]

nice guide but you forgot to add some pics...
please add them

Too right! Pics or it never happened!

:D

[Mick_AKA]

The are already in another thred chaps, but here they are again for your ammusement, the finished article (yes I am aware the fucking keys are filthy!)...

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/amigausers/3029.jpg

The drive button was done with a spray called 'Just Meatalics' I was quite pleased with the aluminium like finish.

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/amigausers/miga2.jpg

Badge done in photoshop, printed on photo paper and laminated.

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/amigausers/miga1.jpg

Showing off the USB

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/amigausers/3055.jpg

My VERY messy study desk, you know you want that wallpaper ;)

Unfortunately I took no 'during' pics back when I sprayed it, but if I decide to do the A600 I will provide a step by step in pictures, or perhaps enter the 21st century and make a YouTube video! :shocked

[alkis21]

That looks awesome Mick.

[P-J]

That does look pretty fuckin' cool! Not a colour scheme I'd have thought of but it just, well, works!

[laser]

great work! I like that colors

also I see that you have replaced original keys by a cdtv keyboard or something like that

original A1200' keys were made by a bad quality plastic ....are now yellowed on most computers

and you can't combine the yellowed keys with others colors




btw, you forgot to mod your computer's table....bad finished and ugly


bye

[Paul_s]

Keys could do with a clean :lol:lol just kidding :cheese

Great work though :D

[Bloodwych]

Flippin' awesome A1200 Mick!!! :lol

I bet that would fetch a fortune on ebay, not that you'd ever part with it.

[P-J]

Also-- What's with the USB ports in the side. How does _that_ work??

[alkis21]

Also-- What's with the USB ports in the side. How does _that_ work??

I reckon he's using SUBWAY (http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=29059&highlight=subway), a fantastic piece of hardware that adds USB ports to your Amiga.

[Mick_AKA]

I am indeed :)

[Rebel-CD32]

Great work there, I love the CDTV keyboard in there, looks way better than a yellowing A1200 keyboard.

I've painted quite a few Amigas and other computers and consoles before, and have another method if anyone wants to try it.

I use Penetrating Vinyl Dye, which is in a spray can which you use the same as paint, except you don't need to sand back the plastic or add any primers. Just wash the case and make sure it's dry, then spray it in several coats, waiting for it to dry a bit between coats like any other paint.

The great thing about vinyl dye though, apart from not requiring sanding or priming, is that it actually sinks into the plastic and changes the colour rather than just coating it. This way, the paint won't build up around the embossed bits or cracks, like around the HD, Floppy, Power text near the LEDs, it looks like the plastic was that colour from the factory.

The best brand I've used so far is VHT, and is available from auto parts stores. If you live in Australia, there's a new brand that is apparently just as good, is cheaper than VHT, and comes in a longer can. I'll try that out next time I paint a machine.

I've used VHT vinyl dye in car interiors too, both on the vinyl and plastic bits. I've never had any cracks or scratches on any computers or car interiors that I've painted. Just make sure if you try this method, don't scratch the case within a day or so of painting it, as like any paint or dye, it takes a little while to sink in and become permanent. I usually paint a case or car interior and put it back together only minutes after it being touch dry, but I'm careful, so I won't say it's impossible to scratch or anything.

I took a photo of my A1200 after a fresh coat of Charcoal Grey (or Gray, whatever...) but when I tried to clean up the photo in Paint Shop Pro (because it was a grainy, bad photo) it tinted the photo blueish. I'l take better photos of both my A1200, my girlfriend's A1200, our CD32 and its keyboard, all of which are dark charcoal grey now (same colour as the CD32).

Here's the crappy pic- http://www.spin.net.au/~amiga/RebelsA1200.jpg

[Zetr0]

@Rebel

Looks Awesome! I will be keeping my eye out for this vinyl dye!!!

can you composite colour with them ? say if i added blue and red would the result be a purple?

what about if the item is already painted via acrylic spray paint?

[CU_AMiGA]

fuckin awesome pics. well bloody done old chap! :D

[Rebel-CD32]

I've never tried mixing colours, although I have painted a previously blue Amiga dark grey now, and it looks exactly the same as the dark grey one that I painted on a fresh case, so at least I know older dyes won't show through, but I don't know if it will penetrate the plastic if it already has a sealed coat of paint on it.

The one big drawback of vinyl dye is the limited colours available. There are no yellows or greens in VHT's range, for example, and their blues aren't very nice.

[Genghiz]

Hey Rebel -

Have you tried out the vinyl dye on the keytops? Does it cover up the printing?

I really like your vinyl dye approach to 'restoring' the looks of a badly discoloured case. I had been thinking along the lines of a silver or grey metallic auto finish, but now I have to see if I can get your Aussie vinyl dyes here in Godzone - maybe Bunnings has them.

Nice job BTW - looking forward to seeing the 'better photos'.

[Genghiz]

... a good 60mins in a dishwasher at 60c works wonders and really cleans and opens the plastic!

:great You're pulling my leg!

[blade002]

Hey MickAKA !!!, whats that monitor your using in those pictures !?.

Is it any good for Amiga Gaming, does it handle all screen modes, and if so, how much did you pay for it and whats the model number ????????????????

Going by the WB screen on display, it looks AWESOME !!!.

And that CD drive as well ??. wow :)

[Charlie]

@Genghiz:
Keys:
Not sure about the vinyl dye, but I've used Dylon material dye to change colour of plastic keys ( so retaining the key tops ) - just simmer the little buggers in a pan with the dye until cooked to taste!
Test first - the colours don't always come out as expected! ( See my moded A3000 thread )
( much less effort than painting & re-doing the tops )
-There's some evil stuff called Rit-dye which works more reliably, but never seen it in the UK-

Dishwasher:
Zetro's not pulling your leg - it works! I've never been brave enough to go for 60c... Just me, I'm sure if Zetr0 says so, its fine.

My plastic cleaning method:
-Kitchen sink
-Vanish OxyAction Multi spray ( or similar )
-PVC window cleaner ( the white creamy stuff )
-Warm soapy water
-Plastic pan scowerer cloth thingy ( not a brillo pad!!! )
-Wife's toothbrush ( well I wouldn't use mine obviously )
-Lots of cold water

-> Squirt on the Vanish, leave for a bit.
-> Squirt on the PVC cleaner, go @ it with plastic cloth thingy ( DON'T GO MAD - no need )
-> Wife's toothbrush for the nooks & crannies.
-> Wash off with soapy water.
-> Rinse thoroughly!

A complete A1200 ( inside & out ) takes about 10 mins not including drying.
( Don't forget to disassemble first :rolleyes )
I've yet to come across a computer that doesn't come up looking new after such treatment. :cool
( keyboards may take more work, poss the CAREFUL addition of some bleach )

One of my A1200's was given to me by a pot-smoking friend who used it in a sunny room regularly for about 10 years. Gange-stains, coffee-stains, unidentifiable-stains, yellowed-plastic, multicoloured keys... you name it...
...Now looks like a 'kept forever in the box' collector's item!

[Rebel-CD32]

I'd like to point out that a girlfriend's or sister's toothbrush will do the job as well, but again, don't use your own.

As for the keys, I've never attempted to dye them because I don't have a spare Amiga keyboard here, although I'm going to pick up a PC keyboard next time I'm over at the junk shop and test some vinyl dye on that.

Does anyone know how hard it is to remove and replace each individual key on an Amiga keyboard? I'd like to try it with an A1200, A500 and A2000 keyboard.

[Pyromania]

Nice paint job!

[Mick_AKA]

Hey MickAKA !!!, whats that monitor your using in those pictures !?.

Is it any good for Amiga Gaming, does it handle all screen modes, and if so, how much did you pay for it and whats the model number ????????????????

Going by the WB screen on display, it looks AWESOME !!!.

And that CD drive as well ??. wow :)


The monitor is a normal 8ms Samsung TFT, the amiga is running through a VGA box which is hanging down the back of my desk in that shot.

[Sid]

Nice pics, and some great information. Well Done lads (& lasses)

Pics of my Amiga whilst cleaning:
http://www.ko-gathering.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=13559&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=13


I now want to make the Amiga Black to match the AV equipment it sits with under the plasma... I like the sound of the penetrating dye...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2590/phase178paintedshelvesmw8.jpg
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2185/phase179paintedshelveshe5.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5449/phase183completexi5.jpg
(my new amp has replaced the silver one, and is black. The PS3 has replaced the silver PS2, and Sky+ will get rreplaced with SkyHD soon, which are all pre-dominantly black)


VHT SP942 BLACK SATIN DYE: £8.50
http://www.usautomotive.co.uk/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=353


I would love to get the CDTV keys (can't see any on eBay?)
... or use any other colour of dye.
http://www.usautomotive.co.uk/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=59


Keys:
Not sure about the vinyl dye, but I've used Dylon material dye to change colour of plastic keys ( so retaining the key tops ) - just simmer the little buggers in a pan with the dye until cooked to taste!
Test first - the colours don't always come out as expected! ( See my moded A3000 thread )
( much less effort than painting & re-doing the tops )

Did you really put the pan on the hot hob?? I presume sticking them on a quick wash in the washing machine with the Dylon Dye would also work?
http://www.inest.co.uk/range.asp?typeid=468&sizeID=

..or even submerge the Amiga casing in the kitchen sink with this dye????
:confused

[alexh]

I want a black A600, so I am in the process of getting the CD32 keyboard keys as we speak.

Question: Does painting the Amiga case, using whatever method, always feel cheap and "homemade"?

[Mick_AKA]

Not using the method I described, looks and feels great.

I used to custom spray laptops for a living using the same method.

[Sid]

Not using the method I described, looks and feels great.

I used to custom spray laptops for a living using the same method.

where are you based? wanna do my Amiga'? lol

[Zetr0]

I want a black A600, so I am in the process of getting the CD32 keyboard keys as we speak.

Question: Does painting the Amiga case, using whatever method, always feel cheap and "homemade"?

Nope, used to spray professionally, so i make sure the jobs always done right. besides, why would you want a black one, everyone has a black one... ;) :D

Not using the method I described, looks and feels great.

I used to custom spray laptops for a living using the same method.

Central heating pumps for me, both domestic little things to ones you couldnt fit in a hallways for oil rigs... ahhh such was my youth!

we had this sepcific mix of metalic paint, where it would take nearly a week to cure... in that time it was like rubber... ugh... ass nasty it was... f*cking toxic as hell.... i think i would of been healthier to chew asbestos!

[Mick_AKA]

where are you based? wanna do my Amiga'? lol

I think I lack the confidence and equipment nowadays to spray other people's hardware, I would have to do it from cans and I find this increases the 'Mick is an old bastard and will balls it up' factor.

The last thing I sprayed for someone was a Dell Inspiron last year and I did make a good job of it, has the same paintjob as my old P233 laptop, gloss black then dusted with metalic silver before being laquered.

I think some people would also be shocked at the cost of spraying an Amiga, when I did laptops I got paint in bulk at trade prices, now you're looking at:

1 can of plastic primer, 1 large can to do the main coats (if only one colour wanted) and a further can of laquer meaning at least 15 quid just for paint, then if you want detailing like the meatalic floppy button on my A1200 then another 3 quid for a pot of model paint.

Plus a few quid for my time and P&P both ways.

Gets pricey :nuts

[Charlie]

@Sid:
The Dylon dye I used was the stuff that comes in the little metal tins (for tie-dye hippie-types) - boil in a vat.

I went for that because I wanted more control over what I was doing and my better half may well have had a dikie-fit if I'd messed-up important bits.
NB
Plastic in washing machine = Salvador Dali I suspect.
NNB
I wanted Rit Dye but it's not sold in any country that gives a monkey's about planet Earth.

This (http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=29733&highlight=modded+a3000) thread will give a good idea of the good (and bad) of using Dylon Dye.

Yes, I did give the keys a good simmering & they were fine. An interesting point is most plastic can take a good bubbling, but heat in the oven results in goo.

[Methanoid]

Not sure about the vinyl dye, but I've used Dylon material dye to change colour of plastic keys ( so retaining the key tops ) - just simmer the little buggers in a pan with the dye until cooked to taste!
Test first - the colours don't always come out as expected! ( See my moded A3000 thread )
( much less effort than painting & re-doing the tops )
-There's some evil stuff called Rit-dye which works more reliably, but never seen it in the UK-

I guess that won't make them black though and even doing so would make the lettering black on black (ie. useless)??


I want a black A600, so I am in the process of getting the CD32 keyboard keys as we speak.

How will you make that fit or will you remove each key and replace into the A600 keyboard? Are the keys all the same size?


Does anyone know how hard it is to remove and replace each individual key on an Amiga keyboard? I'd like to try it with an A1200, A500 and A2000 keyboard.

I seem to recall they were springs underneath so should be fine but how will you keep the lettering intact?

[Sid]

I think I lack the confidence and equipment nowadays to spray other people's hardware, I would have to do it from cans and I find this increases the 'Mick is an old bastard and will balls it up' factor.

The last thing I sprayed for someone was a Dell Inspiron last year and I did make a good job of it, has the same paintjob as my old P233 laptop, gloss black then dusted with metalic silver before being laquered.

I think some people would also be shocked at the cost of spraying an Amiga, when I did laptops I got paint in bulk at trade prices, now you're looking at:

1 can of plastic primer, 1 large can to do the main coats (if only one colour wanted) and a further can of laquer meaning at least 15 quid just for paint, then if you want detailing like the meatalic floppy button on my A1200 then another 3 quid for a pot of model paint.

Plus a few quid for my time and P&P both ways.

Gets pricey :nuts

£18 for paint ... ok, how much for your labour time?
What region are you based in?

Ta

[Haakon]

I now want to make the Amiga Black to match the AV equipment it sits with under the plasma... I like the sound of the penetrating dye...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2590/phase178paintedshelvesmw8.jpg
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2185/phase179paintedshelveshe5.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5449/phase183completexi5.jpg


DAMN! :shocked The look of that!!! How much space into the wall do you have? Is it a room behind?

[Mick_AKA]

£18 for paint ... ok, how much for your labour time?
What region are you based in?

Ta

I'm in Staffordshire, would only say a fiver for the time tbh

[Christian]

Great guide, thanks :great

I'm actually toying with the idea of painting a TFT tv to match my 1200. Bit pointless I know, but I don't like it when screens don't match the system and they only seem to be available in black or silver.

Any tips on the colour to buy? My amiga is pretty white with no yellowing of keys, etc. I think it's the original colour as it matches the commodore monitor I got from elsewhere exactly.

It's a beautiful amiga btw, limited edition Comic Relief pack, box in nearly new order, all polys, bags, manuals, disks and packaging, etc. I felt bad breaking the warrenty seal to put a harddrive in but you know... WHD is soooo cool :)

If I do this, I may even attempt a logo badge for the screen too .... maybe