Custom Nintendo DS Lite

[Vital]

My latest project is creating a custom Nintendo DS Lite that will be sold on ebay, with 20% of the profits going to Paul Newman's Hole In The Wall Gang Camps for kids with terminal illnesses.

Currently the project is only in the planning stages, and I would like people's suggestions, and comments before I go ahead and buy the materials.

Basically I plan on painting the whole case a House Of Kolor Kandy Blue and will be masking off dragon scales which will have a lighter blue tinge. I will be doing this with an airbrush. And will finish with a House Of Kolor After Gloss. Will automotive paint work on plastic?

On the back of the top of the case I will be drilling a hole in the center and will be wiring two Super Bright Blue LEDS, and will be connecting those to a sound activated microprocessor, http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LM386.html.

Also on top of the back of the top of the case I plan on attaching a dragon head pendant, which will be painted a gold, I will be punching out the eyes, and the LEDS will be inserted into the eye holes. Underneath the pendant I will be installing a click switch, http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8720, so that essentially you press the pendant in to turn the LEDS on and off.

I am having trouble finding a dragon head pendant, so if you have any suggestions please post them.

I will be posting some concept images soon, and some 3D models.

Thanks,

Jake Brooks.

All suggestions are welcome.

[nevermind1534]

I will be waiting for your renderings. It's nice to hear that it's going towards a good cause.

[Vital]

I was inspired by the Zelda DS Lite Mod. And if you have any suggestions, especially for the pendant, let me know.

[nevermind1534]

Automotive paints should work on plastic; check this (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcustomnesguyQQfrppZ50QQfsopZ32QQfsooZ2QQ rdZ0) guy out. It may require some additional surface preparation, though.

[Vital]

I will take a look thanks.

[Vital]

Hey, can a moderator move this to the idea zone, until I actually get some of the parts.

[mittelmeier]

Have you checked at Spencers for a dragon head pendant? I got one there for someone a while ago but it also had a cross on it. I think they had some without crosses but I'm not sure.

[SgtM]

Yes, automotive paint will work on plastic. 90% of that paint job will be in the prepping though. Sand the surface with 400 grit, prime, sand again to remove any dirt nibs, paint your base, then graphics, then clear. Wetsand your clear with 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit, being sure not to remove any layers of clear. Once you're done wetsanding, buff with some 3M fine cut rubbing compound. Wait about 45-60 days, and then use a good automotive wax on the clear to keep it shining.

[Vital]

I heard a 600 grit to start? But thanks for the great painting tips. Can I buff it by hand since it's such a small painting surface?

[SXRguyinMA]

you certainly can, just need to take it slow and take extra care around all the button holes, etc.

this should be a neat mod :D

[Vital]

I don't need to worry about the holes very much, as I purchased a replacement shell for the DS to work with.

And for the pendant with the LED Eyes:
http://www.dragonweave.com/images/gothic/diabolis-dragon-skull-lg.jpg

Favorite one that I have found so far. I plan on painting it pure gold, as well.

[SgtM]

I've always started with 400 when prepping plastic. Gives the primer a little more to grab on to. Since you're using HOK which is a urethane based paint, you could probably get away with 600 when you wet sand your primer. I use auto air in my brush, and it likes a little more tooth so I prep with 400. The cool thing is I can lay this stuff right down on plastic and not worry about adhesion.