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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: TjLaZer on April 12, 2008, 07:19:02 AM

Title: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: TjLaZer on April 12, 2008, 07:19:02 AM
Ever since I saw this pic:

(http://www.amiga.org/gallery/images/3063/1_3376.jpg)

I have wanted a black A500!  Well yesterday I went to RePC in Seattle as I heard they had some A500's.  I wanted to buy one with the sole purpose to paint it black.   But I have been holding out for a chicken lips case as it would be better for painting.  I found one!  $12 and listed as DEAD.  No problem!  It has the case I want and it looked ok.  Just a bit dirty.  Well here some pics on how it looked:

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5390918548_e90150da04_b.jpg)
Found her in the "as is" dead parts bin for a mere $12.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5390918504_326170e116_b.jpg)
Yes Mehdi Ali, it's the rare C= Chicken Lips edition A500!  ;)


---
Fired her up to see what she does.  White screen and drive is clicking!  Hmmm.. Where is Dave Haynie when you need him!

Checked memory card as they are notorious for battery leakage.  Yep batt leaked!  Removed card.  Still no juice.

Took her apart and pressed on all the socketted chips.  Tried again and she fired right up!  YEAH!!

I took the MB out and cleaned the cases and started painting it black.  More coats tomorrow!  Once I am done I will use the keys on my CDTV keyboard!  It is going to be NICE!!!
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: Damion on April 12, 2008, 07:36:02 AM
Nice, that style case is a little hard to find. What kind of paint are you using? (Dye works fantastic if you want to keep a factory look, plus no runs or dust inclusions to worry about.)


Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: rja4096 on April 12, 2008, 07:38:33 AM
Hi, I've been thinking of doing this too - any idea what you would have done if you did not already have some black keys to stick in, how do I write the ket letters on in white?

thanks, Rick
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: TjLaZer on April 12, 2008, 07:49:42 AM
Krylon Fusion Satin Black is what I am using.  Should work ok...

I would of not even thought of attempting this if I did not have a CDTV keyboard.  It will just look tacky.  You could spray the keys and get some generic white keycap lettering to put on the keys...

I assume the key caps from the CDTV keyboard will simply pop off and I can pop them on the A500 keyboard right?

Looks like the keyboard on this one is bad, as far as the F1 key is loose.  Seems to work just will rotate left and right!  I might take it apart to see what the deal is but I do have a spare KB I plan on using.  This thing will be straight off the meat racks!!!
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: Crom00 on April 12, 2008, 01:32:18 PM
You can actually paint the keys black. Run the keyboard keys through the dishwasher. YOu can then plug them back into the keyboard.

As for the paint, use automotive paint as it actually bonds to plastic, some colors don't even require primer. I've used krylon, but their nozzles are sub par. I use an airbrush and compressor, it provides such a fine stream that a spray can could never match.

To relabel the keys you can get white water slide decal paper and on a PC or MAc in Adobe illustrator use a cool foont like Eurostyle or CGFURUTA and type out the keys. You want white keys on a black background.

The waterslide decal works like the model kits out there.

Then use testors dull cote or another MAtte or satin finish. To match the Amiga keyboards a little better use satin finish.

I ran a model shop paint dept for 10 years. Works like a charm.

Now what's this I hear about using die? I thought about using india ink as a base as that stuff is impobsible to get out.
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: klx300r on April 12, 2008, 03:07:51 PM
I did the exact same thing to my Rev6A machine last year except I painted it Royal Blue...my advice for a quality finish is a minimum of 3 light coats for a duarble/scratch free coating..i used krylon paint for plastics (no primer needed)

good luck with your project :-D (...ill try to dig up some pics of mine later)
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: TjLaZer on April 15, 2008, 06:14:15 AM
I am done!!!  Had to do a good 3-4 coats with the Krylon Fuzion Satin Black to cover everything.  Even sprayed the insides too.  Else it looked cheesy.

Swapped the keys from the CDTV keyboard this evening and put her all back together!  Will take some better pics during the day...

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5390918228_95eef6d4b2_b.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5390918274_9e66d89f24_b.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5390310891_d9e90480d2_b.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5390310827_080d35aab6_b.jpg)

Ignore the cat!!  
 :lol:
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: clemenza on April 15, 2008, 07:24:01 AM
Great job! But, IMHO the truly hard part is obtaining a CDTV keyboard!
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: rkauer on April 16, 2008, 04:48:59 AM
Quote

TjLaZer wrote:
--snip--

Swapped the keys from the CD32 keyboard this evening and put her all back together!  Will take some better pics during the day...

--snip--


 CD32? You use a CDTV kb or a CD32 one? Those CD32 keyboard are rare as hens teeth! :-?
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: TjLaZer on April 16, 2008, 05:23:37 AM
Sorry no I meant CDTV keyboard!!
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: trekiej on April 16, 2008, 06:17:32 AM
Looks good. :bow:
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: jmbattle on April 16, 2008, 09:56:15 AM
Looks terrific, nice job! ;)

I'm inclined to think that you deliberately angled the last shot to capture your cat, or worse still, picked him/her up while sleeping, and plonked them in front of the food bowl.

Cheers,
James
x
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: mauidj on April 17, 2008, 11:55:11 PM
What's a Chicken Lips case?
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: kolla on April 18, 2008, 12:07:39 AM
"chicken lips" refers to the commodore logo.

The first A500 on the top of this page has a stcker on it, the one TjLaZer painted now has the "chicken lips" ingraved in it.
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: rkauer on April 18, 2008, 12:07:42 AM
Quote

mauidj wrote:
What's a Chicken Lips case?


 Look at the first two pictures: you'll notice the first (black) A500 have a badge and the original have a Commodore logo (also known as "chicken lips").

 The C= cases are the older ones, and hard to find in Europe. I have 4 of those cases in home, and not a single one "badged"... Go figure.
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: Darrin on April 18, 2008, 12:13:20 AM
Looks great.  Nice job.
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: mauidj on April 19, 2008, 06:26:08 PM
OK I gotta find me a lips case for my 1200.
I really want to do the custom thing too....but I'm guessing the CDTV keys are hard to come by.
Yes really well done job.
I actually prefer it to the carbon 1200 from Germany. That one seems over embellished to me.
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: RRunner on April 20, 2008, 12:19:37 AM
Looks terrific! Great work!
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: gedrr on April 20, 2008, 01:39:13 AM
Hello,do you have a working Amiga 500 for sale.
If so please give the price you are selling it for.
Where are you located?
Are I allowed to show my email address?
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: amigadave on April 20, 2008, 02:07:27 AM
Beautiful!  I think I need two black CDTV keyboards now, one to use with my CDTV and another to put inside my A500.  I will have more painting to do though, as I will also need to pain my GVP A530 to match the black A500.

I see only one CDTV w/keyboard on eBay at the moment and its keyboard is black with beige keys.  How rare are the CDTV keyboards with the black keys?  I don't want to make black keys with stick-on key faces.

Again, great job, it looks really nice.
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: Damion on April 20, 2008, 02:47:53 AM
Looks great! I've never used it myself, but my understanding is that Krylon Fusion acts more like a dye (leaving the original texture intact, as opposed to leaving a "paint" coating). Pretty cool!

I have a yellowed A600 and A500 case I've thought about dyeing... not sure what colors yet, but probably some funky blue or purple. ;)

 
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: TjLaZer on April 20, 2008, 02:52:34 AM
Thanks all!  I am really happy with the results.

Today I added a Minimegs 512k RAM card and took some more pics.

Ordered a belly cover and hopefully soon I will have a CDTV mouse to hack for it!

I am using a Supergen SX to use the composite out to my TV.

(http://www.vintagecomputercafe.com/pics/amiga/black500/black5004.jpg)
(http://www.vintagecomputercafe.com/pics/amiga/black500/black5005.jpg)
(http://www.vintagecomputercafe.com/pics/amiga/black500/black5006.jpg)
(http://www.vintagecomputercafe.com/pics/amiga/black500/black5007.jpg)
(http://www.vintagecomputercafe.com/pics/amiga/black500/black5008.jpg)
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: Jeff on April 20, 2008, 03:23:34 AM
@TJLazer

Looks Great! Now you need a black A1411 and 1084 to go along with it:-D

-Jeff
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: a-pex on April 20, 2008, 09:32:03 AM
Maybe you want to put it in the a1k.org showroom. ;)
Picture upload up to 1024x1024 is possible on our server...

http://www.a1k.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13

I think we have now more than 100 tuned and pimped Amigas in all categories!
 
This iy my A1200
http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6646

and this iy my A4000 (still in progress)
http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6852
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: mauidj on April 21, 2008, 12:06:32 AM
Woohoo!
Just bought a CDTV keyboard on ebay.
So it's off to Home Depot for some black paint.

I can't believe Im actually doing this.
Look what you guys have created....another Amidiot ;-)
Title: Re: Black Amiga 500 project
Post by: mauidj on April 27, 2008, 08:52:49 AM
If anyone is interested there is a CDTV black kb on ebay right now.

Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190217505294&_trksid=p3984.cWAT.m240.lVI
)