Custom Colored Dreamcast Shells

[myshtuff]

Anyone know where I can get relatively inexpensive alternate color Dreamcast shells? The hinge on mine has been broken for a while and I want to replace it. However, if the cool color ones aren't too expensive then I might use one of those. The ones on eBay are kinds pricey so other sites to check out would be neat.

[Raithos]

Your best bet, and most likely your only one will be eBay. Most of that sort of stuff isn't manufactured anymore, so what you do find will be left overs someone bought in bulk back in the day. The only ones I know that are still made are absolute trash quality and aren't worth the cost to ship them

[myshtuff]

Damnnnnnnn. Oh well. I may look into them at some point. Maybe I'll make my own.

[Raithos]

It's pretty easy to paint them, I've done it in the past with rattle can spray paint from Walmart lol. Just make sure and take all the electronics out first, don't try to tape off/cover the ports. Its not worth it to take the chance of messing something up. You can sand it down if you want, the paint will stick better as its plastic but its not a necessity if you clean it good enough first. Just use real thin even passes and it'll turn out pretty decent. Here's the one from DC Junkyard that made me paint mine in the first place.

[myshtuff]

Thats not too bad. I haven't opened up my dreamcast. Is it pretty easy to take everything out? Also, maybe I might make some stencils and try a design or something. The main issue though is still that the hinge is busted.

[Bambi]

This is mine, it's just a cheap one from eBay but the quality isn't too bad I don't think. I am going to have a go at customising one of my broken units some day.

[Raithos]

Oh yeah its real easy. You would have to take it apart to replace the case with a colored one anyway. You can always get a cheap as dirt "for part or repair" one from eBay. That way you can practice taking it apart first, and also have a replacement hinge/lid if you decide you don't want to paint your working one. The one Bambi posted is like the green one I got from eBay. Those are really nice. A lot of the ones you'll find (and ones I have bought) from other places have cheap brittle plastic. I think I got mine for 30 bucks, but the shipping was more because it was from Venezuela or some thing. Totally worth it though

[myshtuff]

Anyone know what type of paint is good for custom painting your dreamcast shell? I have heard vinyl dye is good.

[shengoro86]

I know a guy who does custom DC work in PHilly USA. Pm me for details. He does painting, plastic work, and hard mods (on board VGA, BIOS region unlocking etc)

[myshtuff]

So I bought a shell off someone for $8 which isn't bad. Just stopped by the local hobby shop to get some enamel spray and paint. I am in the middle of painting it now. Once its finished and I hopefully assemble it back correctly I will post some pics.

[myshtuff]

Well I just finished the paint job and it miraculously turns on too after re-assembly. I think it turned out ok for my first ever attempt. The enamel paint I got made it turn out glossy and nice too. Let me know what you all think.

http://imgur.com/a/tIA4W

[IrishNinja]

pretty cool idea, ive seen some awesome (but pricey) variants - what'd you have in mind, specifically?

[myshtuff]

Well I just painted mine as shown in the pictures above so I am good for now. I may try a different down the line some day.

[Nahovil]

Courtesy of KnuxBrent07

phpBB [video]

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Extraordinary.

[Mitsuzuki]

Have you tried your local retro shops and classifieds?

I was lucky enough to pick up a Dreamcast in a lime green case (exactly like Bambi's pic, but green) through a listing in Kijiji.