Wii-volution [Archive] - TBCS Community Forums

Monsterbox

03-02-2007, 04:08 PM

So, the time has come for me to mod my Wii. Aside from a certain Laptop, I haven't seen any cool Wii mods yet. As such, it is time for me to go to work! Never happy with anything factory, I have set about to void my warranty in as spectacular a fashion as possible. Well, maybe not that spectacular...

Anyway, the Wii needs to be repainted and chopped. Why? Well, because I want it to be, that's why. I've always enjoyed those mods where people have it set-up so you can see the discs spinning, so the Wii needs a window. I also love red. So, the Wii must now be red. Not just red, but Candy Apple, hot rod flames, make your momma weep, RED.

So, I picked up a can of Duplicolor "Vinyl Red" (HVP100) and am getting myself psyched up to do this. If I can get the casings apart this weekend without the specialty screwdrivers, then I should be able to take care of the painting this weekend. Otherwise I will have to special-order the tri-wing screwdrivers and wait until they come.

Anyway, using my (lack of) Photoshop skills I created this mock-up of what I have in mind. Hopefully the painting will start this weekend. (I know that I'm going to have to repaint when I cut the hole, but I want it red to start with and will need to get in some practice with the dremel before I take it to my Wii.)

Here we are:
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/wii_recolor.jpg

Let me know what you think.

Drum Thumper

03-02-2007, 04:10 PM

Cool, I've always enjoyed console mods!

+Rep, good luck and keep up up to date!

Ichbin

03-02-2007, 04:11 PM

Gotta watch out with the hole bit mate. You dont wanna be cutting into the slot loader or anything..

Pull it off though, and itll look shiznit!

NocturnaL

03-02-2007, 04:40 PM

Hey, great name man, Very creative. And the idea you have looks great. You ever think about changing the LED for the CD slot? A friend of mine modded a bass beat LED in his, so the LED blinks with the beats and tunes in the games he plays along with the music in the games. Very cool mod, hope yours turns out nice :)

Monsterbox

03-05-2007, 08:03 PM

The project is being postponed a little bit due to inclement weather. I can't use this stuff in the house (the paint) and outside it's below zero, even in the garage. If things warm up in the near future, I should be able to take care of it (forecast for this weekend looks pretty good) but for right now the painting will have to wait. I blame the lakes.

Anyway, I shall be taking the thing apart (it amazes me how small this unit really is...) and get everything prepped. I'll have some pictures once it's been disassembled...

SgtM

03-05-2007, 09:11 PM

Who doesn't love voiding warranties? Good luck with the mod man. I like the concept.

Monsterbox

03-06-2007, 10:57 AM

UPDATE: My girlfriend's father is loaning me his Kerosene heater this coming weekend. My GF is working all day and the kids are at the ex's so I have the whole house to myself. I'm going to back the car out of the garage, close the door and run the heater for a few hours to warm the place up so I can apply the paint properly. So, perhaps things will go forward after all. Just need to pick up a mask at the store. I'll check back in when I've got more info.

Intrance

03-06-2007, 11:24 AM

A molecule of happiness.

N2OC10H12 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7278028@N08/412635018/).

5-Hydroxytryptamine or 3-(2-aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol.

The idea is cool and good luck with the heater, looking forward to further updates.

Nagoshi

03-06-2007, 01:45 PM

Who doesn't love voiding warranties? Good luck with the mod man. I like the concept.

Me... LOL. If I ever want to send back my original XBox to EBGames to have some credit on a new console, it must not have been voided :(

Nice idea, can't wait to see how it's going :) You may want to change the small fan in the back of the Wii, my bro's friend got a Wii and his fan was dead when he got it, it was running so hot the wii shutted down a couple of times before I found out it was the fan, so we placed a bigger fan behind the unit as a temporary solution.

mellojoe

03-06-2007, 02:26 PM

I really love modded consoles. Maybe because I've never done one.... who knows?

Good luck! Keep us posted.

Monsterbox

03-08-2007, 09:13 PM

So, the test has been made. I took of the smaller of the two panels on the side (which covers the GameCube memory card slots) and gave it a dose of the paint. I absolutely love the way it came out. The red is darker than I expected, but I think I actually like it more than what I originally had in mind.

Here's a pic after the first coat: (This stuff goes on crazy, but comes out fantastic)
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/coat1.jpg

And here's one after drying (about 45 minutes) and being reattached to the unit:
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/testFinished.jpg

Looks damn near factory if you ask me. With luck, the rest will be painted this weekend. Didn't work out getting the girlfriend's father's heater, so I have to hope for warmer than advertised weather.

Spawn-Inc

03-08-2007, 10:24 PM

do you know how scratch resistant that paint is? if you move it from the vertical stand often then it will scratch i think. on my wii its scratched a bit. but it does look good from what i can see. got a close up picture of the memory card cover? also are you going to take apart the wii to paint?

+ rep for risking a bad paint job on your wii, or is that a - rep?? lol. i went with +

Ichbin

03-08-2007, 11:21 PM

wow, very factory (as you sad.) Looking great mate!

Monsterbox

03-08-2007, 11:34 PM

also are you going to take apart the wii to paint?
Yup, the whole thing is coming apart for the final paint-job. I actually had it apart earlier to help with brainstorming possible mods. I put it back together for that pic. The Triwing screws on the bottom still aren't back in the console, but I'm not too worried, with the ones in the faceplate, it still holds together well enough until I can get the painting done.

Thanks for the rep. :)

DaveW

03-09-2007, 06:49 AM

A molecule of happiness.

N2OC10H12.

5-Hydroxytryptamine or 3-(2-aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol.

Umm...wtf?

Good luck with the mod man, you got balls to go with your Wii. (I apologise to everyone who's just read that. I know a good humour therapist if you need one.)

-Dave

Monsterbox

03-09-2007, 08:57 AM

Umm...wtf?
I believe he put that because I have the molecular formula for Serotonin in my signature. It's the neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy. :D

Good luck with the mod man, you got balls to go with your Wii. (I apologise to everyone who's just read that. I know a good humour therapist if you need one.)

-Dave
Thank you very much for the kindness. Wait till you see what I do with the next one... ;)

Monsterbox

03-09-2007, 11:20 PM

A few more pictures for you.

Not for the faint of heart. ;)

Topless!
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/coverRemoved.jpg

Slot-loading Drive Removed
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/driveOff.jpg

Bagged and Tagged
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/partsBaggies.jpg

All ready to paint tomorrow:
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/readyToPaint.jpg

Spawn-Inc

03-10-2007, 01:25 AM

Nice. don't forget to replace the stock thermal paste with some AS5!

Omega

03-10-2007, 03:14 AM

Change the blue LEDs in the slot loader to red. That'd be awesome.

NocturnaL

03-10-2007, 03:56 AM

Nice progress. The best thing i love about the Wii is its cheap as hell. If you break it, put out 250 some odd dollars for a new one, better then replacing a 400-600$ console like the 360 or PS3. Hope the paint job turns out well my friend. PS. I love red <3

Drum Thumper

03-10-2007, 05:29 AM

I sure hope that's an anti-static bag you're using there...

Monsterbox

03-10-2007, 08:42 AM

Nice. don't forget to replace the stock thermal paste with some AS5!
Is this the "grey gunk" that was on the antenna chip when i took the shield off the MoBo?

I sure hope that's an anti-static bag you're using there...
The screws and faceplate are in Ziplocs, the electronics and drive are in anti-static.

Change the blue LEDs in the slot loader to red. That'd be awesome.
I was considering doing yellow for that 30's HotRod kind of feel. Depends on how the whole thing looks while red. I also have no idea where to buy those flat little LEDs that they use in the faceplate electronics. If anyone has a link to the type, I'd appreciate it.

Another pic for you. I decided to go whole hog and paint a set of controllers as well. So, now we've got the Wii, a remote and a Nunchuk all ready for a little paint. In an hour or so when the garage warms up enough it'll be painting time. In the meanwhile...

http://monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/ready2Paint.jpg

NocturnaL

03-10-2007, 03:09 PM

You can find those little flat LED's on ebay for like 20 cents a piece. Theyre called surface mount LED's, a simple search and you should find some =)

DaveW

03-10-2007, 04:08 PM

Again, good luck with this man, looking hopeful so far!

-Dave

Spawn-Inc

03-10-2007, 06:59 PM

Is this the "grey gunk" that was on the antenna chip when i took the shield off the MoBo?

not sure. i tried to take my wii apart but i don't have a real triwing screwdriver, i tried to make my own. it works okay but its to big for the small screws. also i don't like peeling of those stickers to get to the screws. the farthest i got it apart was the disc slot was loose.

Monsterbox

03-10-2007, 07:08 PM

You can find those little flat LED's on ebay for like 20 cents a piece. Theyre called surface mount LED's, a simple search and you should find some =)

Awesome! I will do a search and hopefully order a couple at the beginning of the week. Anybody have any suggestions as to which color? I was thinking yellow or orange to go with the whole hot rod theme, but any suggestions would be awesome.

Again, good luck with this man, looking hopeful so far!

-Dave
Thanks very much! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Update Pictures!

Post-paint. I'm liking the way it's looking so far. I plan to let it cure overnight and then reassemble it tomorrow morning. So, the difficult part is yet to come...

http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/postPaint01.jpg

http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/postPaint02.jpg

SgtM

03-10-2007, 07:46 PM

d_stilgar

03-10-2007, 07:46 PM

Wow. I'm too poor and scared to risk breaking my Wii. Maybe in the future I will got on it. Thanks for showing me that it can be done though. +Rep for that.

Good luck and looking good.

Omega

03-10-2007, 09:02 PM

Dude. If I ever get a Wii, I am so going to paint it (except I'll do mine a dark blue/silver/black color scheme like I have planned for SilverDawn).

Monsterbox

03-10-2007, 09:06 PM

The paint looks good man. Old hot rod look would be cool. That red is perfect for some yellow to orange flames with a dark blue pinstripe outline.

Kinda like this:
http://members.cox.net/fastcars/images/Fast34.jpg
Pretty much what I was thinking. Going to see what I can wrangle to make it look all shiny and fun.

Speaking of shiny:

Remote and Nunchuck are back together

http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/remoteNunchuck01.jpg

Spawn-Inc

03-10-2007, 09:11 PM

nice wiimote and nunchuck, hope that paint won't ware off due to sweat... did/are you going to clear coat?

that the new wrist strap too!??! did you order 4 from nintendo, i did.

Monsterbox

03-10-2007, 09:20 PM

nice wiimote and nunchuck, hope that paint won't ware off due to sweat... did/are you going to clear coat?
No clear coat. This type of paint says it doesn't need it. Though, if I do notice some wear, I will likely repaint it and clear coat it. I've been playing with it for a little while making sure that it still works and haven't run afoul of any unseemly smudges, streaks or other signs of the paint coming loose.

that the new wrist strap too!??! did you order 4 from nintendo, i did.
I'm actually not too sure. I grabbed one of the remotes at random. I think this is one of the ones I got for my Birthday in early January. I haven't received any replacement straps yet, but I'm also pretty careful with the 'mote. I don't twirl it around like a loon risking it coming free. I've actually never even had it come out of my hand. (By the way, flicking your wrist while playing Wii tennis works WAY better than huge arm movements.)

Thanks for the feedback. 8)

Spawn-Inc

03-10-2007, 10:22 PM

No clear coat. This type of paint says it doesn't need it. Though, if I do notice some wear, I will likely repaint it and clear coat it. I've been playing with it for a little while making sure that it still works and haven't run afoul of any unseemly smudges, streaks or other signs of the paint coming loose.

i can't tell from the pictures but is this a matt or gloss finish?

but I'm also pretty careful with the 'mote. I don't twirl it around like a loon risking it coming free. I've actually never even had it come out of my hand. (By the way, flicking your wrist while playing Wii tennis works WAY better than huge arm movements.)
Thanks for the feedback. 8)

that does look like teh newer strap to me. http://wiimedia.gamespy.com/wii/image/article/751/751205/get-your-new-wii-strap-20061215112742906.jpg
as for flicking your wrist, that works for me too, sometimes. but i do sometimes try and swing/bowl hard, but not enough to let it go.

Monsterbox

03-11-2007, 03:28 PM

Well, here are the final images of the thing. This portion of the mod is complete. Hopefully someone got a kick out of it. I reassembled the Wii this morning then went out to breakfast and took care of a few things around the house, so I'm just getting back to posting now. Was also playing a bit of Twilight Princess earlier to test everything out.

Without further ado (or adieu for that matter):

Reassembly finished
http://monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/final01.jpg
For some reason I have 1 screw left over. It is a long phillips head (the guts of the Wii use two different lengths of silver phillips head screws) that I cannot find a spot for. I double checked every place I could see and found nothing without a screw.

Sitting in the Base
http://monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/final02.jpg

In Base with Painted 'Mote and Nunchuck
http://monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/final03.jpg

Action Shot! Yes it still works. :)
http://monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/finalWorking.jpg

And just for the sake of being totally random.

Beef Jerky!
http://monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/beefJerky.jpg

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading about my first real mod. I sure did have a fun time doing it. This isn't all that is in store for this Wii (or for consoles in general) but this stage of Wiivolution is complete. Thanks for taking a look!

Cagedconnerman

03-11-2007, 06:32 PM

WOOO! GO JERKY!!!!!!, nice wii too :)

armadilloben

03-11-2007, 06:53 PM

Topless!
http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/coverRemoved.jpg

show me your resistors baby rofl

NocturnaL

03-11-2007, 11:17 PM

I like the paintjob, it turned out nicely. The red and white scheme looks pretty nice. As for the LED sugesstion, maybe an ultra-violet LED? I think that would look pretty cool :)

Spawn-Inc

03-12-2007, 12:41 AM

ya looks great, nice job. you should mod it to keep the blue light in the disc slot on. so instead of just flashing it stays on.

luciusad2004

03-12-2007, 01:16 AM

Great work. +rep

xRyokenx

03-13-2007, 01:16 AM

Quite cool... about the wrist straps, I've never had a problem with one, it seems to me as though it's just people with problems a) no motor skills or b) don't know their own strength. Come to think about it, I haven't even touched the Wii or any accessories since about Christmas... hnh... almost a waste of $450... ah well, it keeps the rest of the family out of my hair, although, the only one playing on the thing lately has been my 7 year old neighbor... /OT

About the slot light, as I'll call it, you should make it glow red or orange to go with the color, that would be cool...

meticoeus

03-13-2007, 03:25 AM

Nice paint job! (+rep!)

Have you considered painting the base?

Monsterbox

03-15-2007, 08:29 PM

Wiivolution complete:

http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/finish_chrome01.jpg

http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/finish_chrome02.jpg

http://www.monsterb0x.com/images/mod/wii/finish_chrome03.jpg

Hard to tell from the images because of the reflections, but the faceplate is all chrome. ;)

luciusad2004

03-16-2007, 02:16 AM

Great work. Id +rep but it wont let me give you any more until i give some to some other people.

Spawn-Inc

03-16-2007, 03:09 AM

what kinda crome was that?!?! it looks rippled you shoulda kept it red. everything else looks great though don't forget the power supply !!!! i was thinking of getting some blue leds and putting them in the bottem and have them shine on the clear base part. you know the clear part. i want the blue light to shine through it around the edge. like a fiber optics kinda thing...

Monsterbox

03-16-2007, 07:33 AM

what kinda crome was that?!?! it looks rippled
It only looks rippled because it is reflecting the pattern on the counter, and every other damn thing in the area. It's much smoother in person, I promise. I'm having a friend of mine take a professional-style photograph of it on Tuesday, I'll post that up when I have it. He told me it was going to be tough to shoot after I told him I wanted to make it chrome, now I know why.

-EDIT-
Negative rep because I "overdid it"? Are you kidding me? (To whomever it was that gave negative rep.) I can understand if it's "too much" for somebody, but is that a reason to give me negative rep? Come on now...

simon275

03-16-2007, 08:00 AM

That is one sexy wii.

I love the Chrome.

If you put it in side a white box and take a picture looking down we should be able to see the sweet chrome.

mellojoe

03-16-2007, 10:46 AM

Looks good!

FPMachine

03-16-2007, 09:10 PM

Wow cool. it's not 100% my personal taste but it definatly has some flare to it. I also think its gutsy to be modding a Wii but mainly because I cannot yet afford one. but all in all very good job.

chaksq

03-16-2007, 09:14 PM

I like the chrome. Also good work on the paint. Not a personal fan of the skulls but it's your project so enjoy it.

progbuddy

03-17-2007, 12:00 AM

show me your resistors baby rofl

XD

Spawn-Inc

03-17-2007, 12:05 AM

It only looks rippled because it is reflecting the pattern on the counter, and every other damn thing in the area. It's much smoother in person, I promise. I'm having a friend of mine take a professional-style photograph of it on Tuesday, I'll post that up when I have it. He told me it was going to be tough to shoot after I told him I wanted to make it chrome, now I know why.

ahh then in that case i think i would like it more. its one of those cases of photos can't do it justice. can't want it see it.

-EDIT-
Negative rep because I "overdid it"? Are you kidding me? (To whomever it was that gave negative rep.) I can understand if it's "too much" for somebody, but is that a reason to give me negative rep? Come on now...

someone actually gave you a negative rep beucase they didn't like it... thats very sad on there part. at least leave your name if your going to leave a negative...

SgtM

03-17-2007, 12:57 AM

+ rep because this is cool. 'nuff said.

Monsterbox

03-17-2007, 10:03 AM

Thanks very much for all the kind comments and suggestions. I may be back with more of this, but for right now, I think the console is as "Wiivolved" as it's going to get. ;)

I picked up some LEDs yesterday to try and further mod the controller, but I think that is for a different thread.

Thanks again for all the ideas/suggestions/responses! I look forward to your feedback on future projects.

Spawn-Inc

03-17-2007, 04:44 PM

well not sure if i should tell you and then you go ahead and do it before i get a chance to, but what the hell. i want to put some blue led's in the base of the wii and have it shine on the clear plastic disc so its like my ps2 stand.
http://www.chipsbits.com/mmCHIPS/Images/804926076466-072-srgb.jpg i've already taken the base apart i just need to get some led's and decide where/how to place them and what kinda battery i will use. also i need to find a spot for the switch.