Page 2: Break apart, mark and cutting, ready for painting
<B>Step 3</B>: Break apart the case
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/layout.jpg">
Most case skins will come off pretty easy</center>
You'll most likely need just a screwdriver for this. Take apart every side you want to paint. If your going for a two tone look, all the better. In my case, I'm leaving the front the original color, but painting the drive holders. Lay all the parts out and then go from there.
<B>Step 4</B>: Mark and cut the window
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/pilothole.jpg">
Pilot hole made, notice the pencil circle</center>
With whatever tool you are going to use to cut, you'll first need to draw a stencil of it to follow. Use some type of circular object (a plate is good) or any other thing you may think would look good. Once your done with the trace, cut a pilot hole (assuming using a jigsaw) about an inch away from the line inside the window area. You'll want to try to go tangential to the circle then follow it. Don't worry if you can't make it too even, just get the general idea. The molding will take care of most minor sloppy cutting mistakes. When you finish, you'll want to sand down some edges just in case they are too sloppy.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/cuthole.jpg">
I sanded it down after to make it a better circle</center>
<B>Step 5</B>: Get ready for painting
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/beforepaint.jpg">
See the drive plates in the upper right, I'm painting those too</center>
This is an important step. You'll want to be in a well ventilated room, or outside preferably. The sun outside gives you the best lighting in my opinion. Make sure no one is going to bitch at you if you mess up and get paint all over. You can prime the parts if you want, I just used some light sanding. Get something to put the skins and sides of the case on to paint. I used wood like you see above. I just took a few nails and hung the parts on them. Make sure the surfaces you are painting are clean!
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/layout.jpg">
Most case skins will come off pretty easy</center>
You'll most likely need just a screwdriver for this. Take apart every side you want to paint. If your going for a two tone look, all the better. In my case, I'm leaving the front the original color, but painting the drive holders. Lay all the parts out and then go from there.
<B>Step 4</B>: Mark and cut the window
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/pilothole.jpg">
Pilot hole made, notice the pencil circle</center>
With whatever tool you are going to use to cut, you'll first need to draw a stencil of it to follow. Use some type of circular object (a plate is good) or any other thing you may think would look good. Once your done with the trace, cut a pilot hole (assuming using a jigsaw) about an inch away from the line inside the window area. You'll want to try to go tangential to the circle then follow it. Don't worry if you can't make it too even, just get the general idea. The molding will take care of most minor sloppy cutting mistakes. When you finish, you'll want to sand down some edges just in case they are too sloppy.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/cuthole.jpg">
I sanded it down after to make it a better circle</center>
<B>Step 5</B>: Get ready for painting
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/easycasemod/beforepaint.jpg">
See the drive plates in the upper right, I'm painting those too</center>
This is an important step. You'll want to be in a well ventilated room, or outside preferably. The sun outside gives you the best lighting in my opinion. Make sure no one is going to bitch at you if you mess up and get paint all over. You can prime the parts if you want, I just used some light sanding. Get something to put the skins and sides of the case on to paint. I used wood like you see above. I just took a few nails and hung the parts on them. Make sure the surfaces you are painting are clean!