Cell Phone cover mod

[SgtM]

The wife and I have a Sony Ericsson Z520a (http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/13/sony-ericssons-z520a-fashioney-phone/) cell phone. I got a new cover for mine a while ago, but I'm starting to get bored with it. So, what does a modder do? Well, personalize it! I took the back, painted a black base, and then masked out some flames. I went with an orange to red fade, but relized later that I had white that I could have thrown in. There are some imperfections, and the clear didn't set as I expected, but it's a nice start. I'm going to sand this down after a few days, and start over. Anyway, here's a picture of the first run so let me know what you think.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/DSCF1978.jpg

[DuroMentis]

Pretty slick for a cell phone cover,you still going with a flame for the next paint job after the sanding?

[jdbnsn]

I think it looks cool, the rough edges kind add a look to it that I like. When you re-do it however I would wrap the base of the flames around that notch.

[SgtM]

Good advice guys. I do have to do something about making the flames a little bigger next time. It was a bitch to cut out and get it right. I think that's why the edges aren't as smooth as they should be. I have 2 coats of clear on right now, and I have to let that cure before I can start sanding it off. I'm going to see if my wife will draw up some flames for me. She's pretty good at pencil art. Till next time...

[cbelmo159]

I used to have that phone and i loved it
but now its gone and i have a cheap LG from verizon.

[SgtM]

Version 2. Believe it or not, I usually can't draw ****.. I actually drew these flames freehand. I put down the paint last night. Basically, I used Crimson's technique for blending the paint from his mouse mod for Doom3 (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2277&postcount=22). I have some finish sanding to do in a couple of areas, but this is how it looks right now. I put the paint down last night, and I'm going to give it a few more hours to cure before wet sanding everything with 600 grit. Thoughts?

cblemo159 - Yeah, we like this phone too. Esp the fact that Cingular didn't lock us out from transferring mp3 ringtones and pictures to it like Verizon did with their LG phones.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/DSCF2032.jpg

[SgtM]

So I got everything sanded, and 1 coat of clear down. The orange cracked all over the place. Not sure why, it's never done that. Looks like I have to start from scratch again.

[Bucko]

Not too bad an effort for someone who doesn't draw flames.
If you are going to redo it, maybe adjust the flames a little to something like this:

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/5811/dscf2032na5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The other ones looked a little fat and didn't really flow.

[SgtM]

That actually looks better than what I have Bucko. +rep for the suggestion.

[Bucko]

That effort of mine isn't that good due to MS Paint, but if you like I could draw a few up and scan them.

[SgtM]

That effort of mine isn't that good due to MS Paint, but if you like I could draw a few up and scan them.

Yeah man, I'd love to see what you can come up with.

[Bucko]

Here's a couple of quickies. I thought yours really needed a bit more in the centre.
The longest bit was reinstalling the drivers for the printer/scanner. I didn't realise I hadn't done it yet since the new HDD went in.

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/5185/flame1my0.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/5575/flame2id1.png (http://imageshack.us)

[Bucko]

One more, using Paint to combine and modify the ones above into this:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9831/flame2tl9.png (http://imageshack.us)

[SgtM]

One more, using Paint to combine and modify the ones above into this:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9831/flame2tl9.png (http://imageshack.us)

I like this one best. Hopefully I can start on it tonight.

[Bucko]

Good luck with it this time!

I'll post one more set of flames. This was a quick one I painted on the back of my Vespa:

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/7753/00002308dunz3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Bucko]

How did you go with redoing the phone?
Or are you still at it?

[SgtM]

Still at it. I'm doing a fade from white to orange to red tips. The white has bubbled in a couple of places. I'm gonna sand again in a minute and put down another coat.

[Bucko]

Did you end up using my flame design?

[SgtM]

Well, a variation of it. I couldn't fit all 3 flames in like I wanted so I went with a double. I'll put up a progress pic in a min.

edit:
Thanks to you, I've been drawing flames between phone calls at work. I knew there was something off with the first ones I drew, I just couldn't put my finger on it.

[SgtM]

Progress pics:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/DSCF2066.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/DSCF2065.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/DSCF2064.jpg

[SgtM]

update.. ok.. so I have new (very light) coats of paint down, white, orange and red.. I think I've got it. I'll find out tonight after work. That should give the paint enough time to dry so I can pull the tape off.

[Ironcat]

I hope it turns out well...

I (and 3 of my friends) also use the Z520a, so hopefully you'll prod me into making mine stand out.
Usually when we have a get together, everyone takes all the crap out of their pocket for comfort and the 4 of us have to check contact lists to see whose phone is whose...

[SgtM]

Paint before clear. Thanks to Bucko for the flames inspiration.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/DSCF2121.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/DSCF2119.jpg

[Bucko]

Looking good!

Lets hope the clear doesn't f*ck it this time.

[SgtM]

Thanks Bucko. I have 2 very light coats of clear on atm.. seems to be ok.

[SgtM]

update: clear seems go be going on without any issues.. I have 3 light coats down now. I should be able to wet sand after work, and lay 1 or 2 more coats down and be done.