How to paint your psp

xpsychox · 12-10-2006, 09:01 PM

How to Paint Your PSP!

DISCLAIMER: paint your psp at your own risk. I will not be held accountable for any screwups that make your psp look like shit.

items needed:
-primer (somethign for the paint to stick to and give base color)
-paint
-clear coat paint (so you will get a nice shiny finish, and a protective cover to prevent scratches)
-very very fine grit sand paper (so the primer will stick to the psp better)
-masking tape or screen protector
-razer blade/ xacto knife etc...
-eye glasses screw driver (to remove faceplate)
-small bowl of some sort (to put any small pieces in)

Step 1 remove faceplate
-take your psp faceplate off using this tutorial http://www.pspmod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8793 (need your advice)

-note: make sure to put all small pieces in the bowl

Step 2 tape
-tape off your PSP screen on both sides of the face plate.
-use the razorblade to cut away any tape that may be sticking to far off the screen...you want the tape to just cover the screen. Also make sure that you stick the tape on very very good cause you can bleed the paint onto your screen.
- you can also use a screen protector if your willing to paint on it...make sure that its on very good to help prevent paint from getting under it onto the screen

note: make sure you do both sides to prevent overspray on the screen..it sucks...trust me.

Step 3 sanding
-gently sand the entire area of the psp faceplate in one direction (you don't have to do it in one direction but i like to cause it looks better)

Step 4 primer/base coat
be careful not spray to much at one time, it could make the paint run and that looks terrible(if this happens on accident just sand it and try agin)
-lightly spray primer from 10 to 12 inches away to get a very very light coat of primer on the psp
- repeat this about 2 to 3 times
- let dry about 10 to 15 minutes between each coat

note make sure you do very light coats, i cant stress that enough, and never hold the can to close to the psp, it will make the paint run

Step 4 paint
-Basically the same exact thing as the primer
-lightly spray from 10 to 12 inches away to get a very very light coat of paint on the psp
-repeat until you get the desired color
- let dry about 10 to 15 minutes between each coat

note make sure you do very light coats, i cant stress that enough, and never hold the can to close to the psp, it will make the paint run

Step 4 clear coat
- Basically the same exact thing as the primer and paint
-lightly spray from 10 to 12 inches away to get a very very light coat of clear on the psp
-repeat about 3 to 4 times
- let dry about 10 to 15 minutes between each coat

note make sure you do very light coats, i cant stress that enough, and never hold the can to close to the psp, it will make the paint run

Step 5 remove tape and detail
- CAREFULLY remove the tape from the top and bottom of your psp faceplate
-if there is any paint around the edges of your screen, CAREFULLY scrath the paint off with the razor blade

Step 6 cure
- it would be a good idea to let your newly painted faceplate sit for a night just to let the paint cure(harden)

DISCLAIMER: paint your psp at your own risk. I will not be held accountable for any screwups that make your psp look like shit.

this is how my psp turned out after this basic tut, followed by a little airbrushing and clear coat

sorry if the pics are a little blurry...took from my helio

tut by xpsychox

psp · 12-10-2006, 09:05 PM

hmmm maybe you should post pics, unstead of using tape cant u use a screen protector?

xpsychox · 12-10-2006, 09:10 PM

i don't have a digital camera at the moment

and the screen protector is a good idea...ive never used one but i think it might work...ill add it to the tut

xPsychopatic · 12-10-2006, 09:22 PM

You Should Use Pictures So It Will Show How The PSP Turns Out To Be.
How'd You Take Your Default Picture? O_O

xpsychox · 12-10-2006, 09:24 PM

that wasn't my camera

xPsychopatic · 12-10-2006, 09:27 PM

LOL
Ok Ok Ok. But It Would Be A Lot Helpful If You Did Have A Camera. Lol

xpsychox · 12-10-2006, 09:28 PM

i know...im working on it

jrmdb3 · 12-12-2006, 12:51 AM

Once you get pictures, be sure to post it up! Im curious to see how it'll turn out

n8thegr8 · 12-12-2006, 01:16 AM

nice tut, although I would also like to add, make sure to use a high grit sandpaper such as 400 or so, too low and you'll leave deep scratches that the paint won't cover up. I'd also recommend sanding the primer before applying the basecoat. This will help the basecoat stick better and prevent it from orange peeling. I'd also recommend letting the basecoat cure for at least an hour or two before applying the clear to provide maximum protection and shine, as well as using automotive paint for both the basecoat and clear. Up some pics when you get a chance, I'd also like to see how it turns out. I've painted a bunch of consoles, but never really thought the psp would turn out too great because of all the labels being covered up. also, if you want to mask off the led's on the faceplate, rubber cement and a fine tip paintbrush'll do the trick.

Rob1231 · 12-12-2006, 01:55 AM

ooo..i wonder how well this turned out for yah..I'd like to see some pics...

xpsychox · 12-12-2006, 05:07 AM

i painted it when i first joined the forums...i just now got around to writing a tut. i have to find my camera and screwdrivers before i can post up any pics.

btw: thanks for the suggestions n8thegr8

EDIT: some pics of my psp after i finished with everything in first post

justinisloco · 12-12-2006, 07:02 AM

how does it feel though? fingerprints show alot? does it feel like it could peel after a while... can you scratch the paint off? (if i did this i want to know if i could out mine through heck and still have the shit looking hot

xpsychox · 12-12-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinisloco

how does it feel though? fingerprints show alot? does it feel like it could peel after a while... can you scratch the paint off? (if i did this i want to know if i could out mine through heck and still have the shit looking hot

it feels smooth, there are no finger prints on mine at all, its as hard as plastic(automotive paint). if you did it right i doubt you would be able to scratch it off easy, i would recommend a little practice at spraying before you start though(just in case)...mine goes everywhere with me. its been painted for a week or two and it hasn't got scratched yet

n8thegr8 · 12-12-2006, 09:05 PM

nj with the airbrush. I don't have a steady enough hand to mess with stuff like that, lol.

xPsychopatic · 12-12-2006, 11:24 PM

Great Tut. And Nice Paint Job.
It Helped Me A Lot With Painting My PSP.