botched window

GoldenMouse · 19-December-02, 03:14 PM

I did my first window mod a few months ago and have been moderately pleased with the whole thing. The problem is, I go to LANs and more than once have had my epoxy-glued window pop off or make disturbing creaking sounds promising me that something is coming loose. So here I am, a few repairs later, with a window that seems precariously perched onto my side panel and some evidence in the visible area of the window of the epoxy holding it on. Is it possible to clean off all the epoxy with some sort of chemical and then rivit it on? Also, where would I be getting these rivits?

BZA · 19-December-02, 03:34 PM

rivets come from home depot (or other home improvment store), as do the rivet guns.

Epoxy is like stone once it hardens, so chipping it off from the inside would work the best.

if you very carefully insert a small flat-blade screwdriver in between the window and the case/epoxy in a spot where the 2 have separated and GENTLY turn it and move along the seam, you MAY be able to keep the plexi from cracking and ruining the effect. If cracks start, then you are pretty much done, i removed my window which was double-stick taped to my case and the thing went into a hundred pieces. So i have to pick up another small sheet of plexi.

good luck

GoldenMouse · 19-December-02, 03:47 PM

So you're saying that double sided tape works well?

BZA · 19-December-02, 03:55 PM

did for me, damn hard (read impossible) to get off

*edit* Rivets would work very well also, but i didnt want to spend the money on a rivet gun and all, so i bought a $5 roll of foam centered double stick tape made by 3M. small sections surrounding the interior of the window, plexi laid on top of it, perfect adhesion. if the edge of your window cut is rough, you can use some door trim from an auto parts store to clean up the edge as well.

wait for other opinions, as im sure others have somethings to contribute on this subject.

FunkyFresh · 19-December-02, 04:51 PM

I've used that foam tape for my stealth drives; works very well for me. It's nice cause it flexes a little without letting go (good luck getting it off).

Others (DW, for one) have suggested using sticky-backed velcro to hold windows. Haven't tried it for a window myself, but the only thing I'd add is that the velcro often has more stick power than the adhesive backing.

Fu3lman · 19-December-02, 05:25 PM

you might want to make sure your window (inside) isnt pressing against the rear flush (that area at a right angle to where you put your side panel screws in...and parallel to the screws themselves) of your case...that could also be causing problems and it wouldnt be obvious...

Lokie · 19-December-02, 05:43 PM

I used clear silicon for project colt88 in the gallary all u have to do is mask off any area that you don't want silicone to stick to.clear is the strongest and most forgiving.

GoldenMouse · 19-December-02, 06:35 PM

I'm still hunting for some double-sided tape. I'm also thinking about putting some sort of applique on it, maybe.

One of the problems is that last time I repaired this, the epoxy didn't set quite right and now I have a line going more or less straight down the middle of semi-hard epoxy. Should I take a razor to that, or what?

sniper3 · 19-December-02, 08:44 PM

can anyone tell me where to get some UV sensitive loomz..i gots all black cc's

BZA · 19-December-02, 09:56 PM

I think the "clear" loom is UV sensitive, if not, then they make UV paint that you can buy from www.coolerguys.com that sprays on clear and reacts to UV in MANY colors. CHeck it out.

Sportbilly · 19-December-02, 11:54 PM

Double-stick tabe (and the associated goop) comes off pretty easily with generous doses of lighter fluid. (Yes, child, that means no smoking

)

You can dribble it into the crack between the case and window, and it should soak in making for relatively painless removal. The goop will take a little longer, you'll need a bunch of shop towels, I like the pretty bloo ones...

Sport...

Sportbilly · 20-December-02, 12:04 AM

Oh, and test on a concealed spot, on both the window *and* the case, you never can be too sure when dealing with solvents...

Sport...

Cyphre · 20-December-02, 12:09 AM

You know it's funny...they've started expanding a little at CompUSA with their mod supplies. The other day when I was there, they now have spray cans of UV reactive paint. Imagine that! Catering to us even more! Especially with adding that other brand 'PCToys' which is probably off some website or something previously...but certainly better than CompUSA brand crap.

Good old epoxy may not be the best thing...and if there is that extreme different in temperature between outside and inside your case, it may cause your plexi to warp and flex because of it. Since well, epoxy doesn't really move or anything.

HoJo · 20-December-02, 12:56 AM

I used industrial strength velcro to attach my window. Hasn't budged an inch and it can be removed. Only thing is you can't mount it flush, so if you dont have door edge molding or something around the edge of the hole the window will have a gap.

putwig · 20-December-02, 01:16 AM

Plumber's Goop ....... the demon spawn of Epoxy and Silicon.

GoldenMouse · 20-December-02, 01:39 AM

I got the window off; all it took was to twist the sidepanel. The rest of it I just peeled off. My window now has only little traces in the visible area, and a small mess where it used to adhere. The problem with the expoxy was the fact that it would pop right off when the stresses were wrong (doesn't move, after all).

I just tried some double-sided tape. It was more of a scotch variety than a foam, and it could barely hold the weight of the plexi. I'm going looking for some plumber's goop now. I think we have some lying around.

DuckWarrior · 20-December-02, 03:32 AM

I use hot glue, the gun is 3$ and the glue sticks are 1.50$. They are very forgiving and can hold a lot.
The windows on the Romeo DX, from the review are held on with Hot glue. Something to think about

vladimir · 20-December-02, 07:14 AM

double sided foam tape all the way

u can also try velcro

19-December-02, 03:14 PM		#1 (permalink)
GoldenMouse Apex Techie I	botched window I did my first window mod a few months ago and have been moderately pleased with the whole thing. The problem is, I go to LANs and more than once have had my epoxy-glued window pop off or make disturbing creaking sounds promising me that something is coming loose. So here I am, a few repairs later, with a window that seems precariously perched onto my side panel and some evidence in the visible area of the window of the epoxy holding it on. Is it possible to clean off all the epoxy with some sort of chemical and then rivit it on? Also, where would I be getting these rivits?

19-December-02, 03:55 PM		#4 (permalink)
BZA Semin-Hoe-Le Supp-Hoe-Ter	did for me, damn hard (read impossible) to get off edit Rivets would work very well also, but i didnt want to spend the money on a rivet gun and all, so i bought a $5 roll of foam centered double stick tape made by 3M. small sections surrounding the interior of the window, plexi laid on top of it, perfect adhesion. if the edge of your window cut is rough, you can use some door trim from an auto parts store to clean up the edge as well. wait for other opinions, as im sure others have somethings to contribute on this subject. Last edited by BZA; 19-December-02 at 04:01 PM..

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19-December-02, 03:34 PM		#2 (permalink)
BZA Semin-Hoe-Le Supp-Hoe-Ter	rivets come from home depot (or other home improvment store), as do the rivet guns. Epoxy is like stone once it hardens, so chipping it off from the inside would work the best. if you very carefully insert a small flat-blade screwdriver in between the window and the case/epoxy in a spot where the 2 have separated and GENTLY turn it and move along the seam, you MAY be able to keep the plexi from cracking and ruining the effect. If cracks start, then you are pretty much done, i removed my window which was double-stick taped to my case and the thing went into a hundred pieces. So i have to pick up another small sheet of plexi. good luck

19-December-02, 03:47 PM		#3 (permalink)
GoldenMouse Apex Techie I	So you're saying that double sided tape works well?

19-December-02, 04:51 PM		#5 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	I've used that foam tape for my stealth drives; works very well for me. It's nice cause it flexes a little without letting go (good luck getting it off). Others (DW, for one) have suggested using sticky-backed velcro to hold windows. Haven't tried it for a window myself, but the only thing I'd add is that the velcro often has more stick power than the adhesive backing.

19-December-02, 05:25 PM		#6 (permalink)
Fu3lman Light My Fire	you might want to make sure your window (inside) isnt pressing against the rear flush (that area at a right angle to where you put your side panel screws in...and parallel to the screws themselves) of your case...that could also be causing problems and it wouldnt be obvious...

19-December-02, 05:43 PM		#7 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What?	I used clear silicon for project colt88 in the gallary all u have to do is mask off any area that you don't want silicone to stick to.clear is the strongest and most forgiving.

19-December-02, 06:35 PM		#8 (permalink)
GoldenMouse Apex Techie I	I'm still hunting for some double-sided tape. I'm also thinking about putting some sort of applique on it, maybe. One of the problems is that last time I repaired this, the epoxy didn't set quite right and now I have a line going more or less straight down the middle of semi-hard epoxy. Should I take a razor to that, or what?

19-December-02, 08:44 PM		#9 (permalink)
sniper3 Apex Techie Wannabe	can anyone tell me where to get some UV sensitive loomz..i gots all black cc's

19-December-02, 09:56 PM		#10 (permalink)
BZA Semin-Hoe-Le Supp-Hoe-Ter	I think the "clear" loom is UV sensitive, if not, then they make UV paint that you can buy from www.coolerguys.com that sprays on clear and reacts to UV in MANY colors. CHeck it out.

19-December-02, 11:54 PM		#11 (permalink)
Sportbilly Apex Tech Maniac	Double-stick tabe (and the associated goop) comes off pretty easily with generous doses of lighter fluid. (Yes, child, that means no smoking ) You can dribble it into the crack between the case and window, and it should soak in making for relatively painless removal. The goop will take a little longer, you'll need a bunch of shop towels, I like the pretty bloo ones... Sport...

20-December-02, 12:04 AM		#12 (permalink)
Sportbilly Apex Tech Maniac	Oh, and test on a concealed spot, on both the window and the case, you never can be too sure when dealing with solvents... Sport...

20-December-02, 12:09 AM		#13 (permalink)
Cyphre Apex Tech Maniac	You know it's funny...they've started expanding a little at CompUSA with their mod supplies. The other day when I was there, they now have spray cans of UV reactive paint. Imagine that! Catering to us even more! Especially with adding that other brand 'PCToys' which is probably off some website or something previously...but certainly better than CompUSA brand crap. Good old epoxy may not be the best thing...and if there is that extreme different in temperature between outside and inside your case, it may cause your plexi to warp and flex because of it. Since well, epoxy doesn't really move or anything.

20-December-02, 12:56 AM		#14 (permalink)
HoJo Review Pimp, but still Jo's Ho	I used industrial strength velcro to attach my window. Hasn't budged an inch and it can be removed. Only thing is you can't mount it flush, so if you dont have door edge molding or something around the edge of the hole the window will have a gap.

20-December-02, 01:16 AM		#15 (permalink)
putwig Dr. Hydro Pimp	Plumber's Goop ....... the demon spawn of Epoxy and Silicon.

20-December-02, 01:39 AM		#16 (permalink)
GoldenMouse Apex Techie I	I got the window off; all it took was to twist the sidepanel. The rest of it I just peeled off. My window now has only little traces in the visible area, and a small mess where it used to adhere. The problem with the expoxy was the fact that it would pop right off when the stresses were wrong (doesn't move, after all). I just tried some double-sided tape. It was more of a scotch variety than a foam, and it could barely hold the weight of the plexi. I'm going looking for some plumber's goop now. I think we have some lying around.

20-December-02, 03:32 AM		#17 (permalink)
DuckWarrior Retired Admin In Charge of Death and Destruction to All those Who Oppose My World known as PimpRig	I use hot glue, the gun is 3$ and the glue sticks are 1.50$. They are very forgiving and can hold a lot. The windows on the Romeo DX, from the review are held on with Hot glue. Something to think about

20-December-02, 07:14 AM		#18 (permalink)
vladimir Pimp PHP Pro	double sided foam tape all the way u can also try velcro