Fixing what's broken (well, more like ugly)

[CronoTriggerfan]

Some of you guys may remember this portable that I made last summer. I was trying to make a new portable for MGC, but needless to say, the timetable didn't exactly work out, so I'd like to bring that one to show off. Problem is, the Genesis portable is a bit out of commission; the LCD screen switch got bashed in (easy fix), but the worst damage was to the case after my cousin dropped it on a hardwood floor. A chunk of bondo broke off of the base of the screen piece, and the areas around the controller and battery pack began to crack. I know I can simply re-bondo and sand down these areas, but I have NO idea how to go about painting this damn thing now.

The back of the case isn't too big a concern, as it can simply be detached, parts removed, and re-painted (I'm thinking red ). The front, however, becomes problematic; the button pads are glued down, and I don't wanna screw with 'em. So after I re-bondo, what's the best way to go about painting this again?

I was thinking I should just spot-paint the sanded areas, but it'd look kinda funky if I did that, and I can't think of any spot paint that would bond to plastic well. I would say a new coat of spray paint, but how? The buttons are immovable, and there's some components on there that would be a hassle to shove back in. What would you guys do?

[bacteria]

Here's an idea, how about making the cracks a "design feature"? Design ziggied lines along the casing, especially along the repairs and cracks you refer to, with hot glue, and paint them with a brush. That way you can make it look unusual and also re-inforce the areas you need to.

This might not sound ideal, but is probably better than the alternatives.

[Life of Brian]

Perhaps you could just put some masking tape on the top of the buttons. The sides might get paint on them, but the tops won't so no paint will rub off. Just use light coats so none drips down into the portable itself.

[CronoTriggerfan]

Good suggestions, guys, I may end up going with one of those.

Brian, yours was how I thought about tackling it, but now I'm not sure. I was hoping I might be able to find some brush-on black paint, and then some clear brush-on enamel or clearcoat, but Home Depot had nothing of the sort. Checking my local Ace tonight, but I doubt the story will be much different.

If all else fails, I'll just have to go fugly and do it bacteria's way. Better than having nothing at all done!

[Kurt_]

Y'no that one I sold you? (Sorry about that, I wouldn't have sold it if I knew it was gonna get so f'ed up afterwards) I painted that after everything was on it, which you may or may not have noticed. The SNES buttons had enough of a gap that the smallest screwdriver in that set that everybody has (the one from the dollar store) can easily push down masking tape onto the sides of the buttons. (Later I got lazy and just masked the top, but it worked well on the sides) The screen I cut pieces of paper up (about a quarter/third of the screen size) and slid them underneath the case and above the lcd, and layered them a few times, taping them down so they wouldn't slide.

The genesis you have looks like it would be a tighter fit, but it's worth giving a chance, no?

[CronoTriggerfan]

That's a good idea on the buttons, I think I'll try that. The screen, though, is what worries me more. I can't exactly put tape on it, can I? I was thinking paper (or cardboard?) cutout, but I'm just a bit paranoid about something going wrong, I guess.

[Kurt_]

Both scotch and masking tape peeled off the screen fine, with little to no residue. Nothing a little diluted rubbing alcohol didn't fix.