Tutorial written by : David Beirne
Last edited: August 31, 2003

I will start my first tutorial by saying that I give no guarantees that the following process will not damage your Xbox, if you follow this tutorial, do so at your own risk. Be aware however, that this tutorial does not involve opening up and messing with the insides of your Xbox, it doesn't involve cutting, drilling soldering, sanding or using neon tubes and biro pens. If you want that kind of thing check out the other tutorials. if you want your Xbox to look like this:

(Chair and messy room not included) then keep reading... :-)

You may think that this looks like a simple paint job but believe me it is more difficult than it looks. It took me more than one attempt but the outcome is more than worth the time spent. Now that all the "Its not my fault" crap is out of the way lets get down to modifying your Xbox!

Before we begin here's a list of things you'll need:

1-2 cans of Plasti-Kote Brilliant Metallic Spray Paint. This comes in bonze silver and gold as well as a few less-conventional colours. I chose silver because the buttons and text on the Xbox console are already silver so this prevents clashes.

1-2 cans of Plasti-Kote Clear Acrylic Spray Paint. Note that although the cap is a cloudy white colour, the actual paint is clear.

1 roll of masking tape

1 scalpel, craft knife or Stanley knife

some Blutack or Pleistocene

a few sheets of paper (optional)

Lets get started.

1. The first thing you need to do is cover up the parts that you don't want painted. You want to cover the reflective parts of the console with masking tape, or a combination of masking tape and paper for the larger areas (such as the sides). If you're using paper, make sure that there are NO GAPS spray paint can get into the smallest space and ruin the whole effect. The diagrams below show which areas to cover (in WHITE).

Front/Side View

Back/Side View

remember to cover the vertical sections around the edges of the triangle sections at the sides, front and back of the console.

2. Now you have to cover the difficult parts. To Cover the control ports, make a four small balls of Blutack or Pleistocene and push them into the control ports. Make sure the balls are fairly large so that a hemisphere is sticking out of the control port - this will let you remove them later. Do not push the Pleistocene or Blutack in too hard but make sure there is an airtight seal around the control ports. Make sure that the Pleistocene or Blutack does not cover any plastic around the control ports or you'll have black patches after you spray.

3. Covering the Jewel may be tricky. Either carefully mould Blutack or Pleistocene over the whole jewel or cover it with straight strips of masking tape in one direction. If you chose to use the masking tape, you'll have to use your scalpel, craft knife or Stanley knife to cut around the edge of the jewel. When cutting the tape press the blade into the edge of the jewel, you should feel the groove which runs around the jewel - follow this circle. Be careful not to press too hard when cutting the tape, you don't want to cut into the plastic. Finally make sure there are no gaps around the edges, you may have to put a circle of tape around the edge.

4. CHECK THE TAPE, PAPER, PLEISTOCENE / BLUTACK FOR GAPS. PATCH ANY GAPS FOUND. THE COVERING SHOULD BE AIRTIGHT.

5. Now its time to start painting. Remember always paint in a well-ventilated area and cover any surfaces in the parameter of the spraying area. Avoid spraying in the open as particles from the air will often be incorporated into the paint, ruining the finish. Try to find a place such as a garage or a well ventilated, well covered room to spray in. Always ware the correct protective clothing/gloves/mask as advised. Always read the can and never breath in the fumes. If you have never used spray paint before, remember to practice on something else before you start on your Xbox. If the paint runs you are spraying to closely or too heavily in one place. Remember that several thin coats are always better than one heavy coat.

6. Hold the can 200mm from the surface while spraying and move can from left to right holding the can parallel to the surface you are spraying at all times. Spray an even coat of Plasti-Kote Brilliant Metallic Spray Paint all the way around and on top of the Xbox.

7. Leave the coat to dry thoroughly - this will take a minimum of 2 hours so go and do something else. DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO TOUCH THE PAINT AT ANY TIME.

8. Because you waited at least 2 hours (you better have!) the first coat should be dry. For the best finish, repeat steps 5, 6, 7 as many times as possible, remember the golden rule: "several thin coats are always better than one heavy coat".

9. If you touched the paint when it was wet, you'll have to make the best of a bad thing. You have 2 options:

a) try covering the ruined area with another coat of pain
b) try using a fan-heater or low heat setting of a hair dryer to melt a smooth surface onto the wet paint.

If you didn't touch the paint congratulations go to step 10

10. Because you're patient and didn't want to ruin your Xbox, you probably repeated steps 5, 6, and 7 at least 3 times and skipped step 9 completely. WELL DONE :-). Your Xbox is BONE DRY and Now your ready to use your can of Plasti-Kote Clear Acrylic Spray Paint.

11. Read Step 5. Again, just in case you forgot. This time you have to hold the can 300mm from the surface of the Xbox. This will give you a wider range and a thinner coat; so do some practice first. When your happy that you can use the Plasti-Kote Clear Acrylic Spray Paint, spray an even coat over the whole Xbox. Strangely the Acrylic Spray can give no indication of drying time but from experience, it takes much longer than the silver paint. I left my first coat overnight to be safe.

12. When the coat dries, you will have a clear, reflective surface. do a few more coats for good luck remember: "several thin coats are always better than one heavy coat".

13. Now that your console is absolutely dry, peal of the masking tape; take out the Blutack or Pleistocene. and enjoy your new shiny Xbox!

Any problems, questions or comments can be sent HERE

This tutorial and all pictures & diagrams are 100% original content by David Beirne for exclusive use by the readers of http://www.xbox-scene.com/. Please do not copy this tutorial or any part or subset of this tutorial without expressed permission. Anyone can press copy and paste. It’s not big or clever. Following this tutorial may void your Xbox warrantee. Thank you for reading my first tutorial.