I hate to give my next original idea away and/or hint at it....but I need a solution, I have been racking my brain over this.

I want to attach Fabric to a Small Form Factor Compaq Despro EN Computer, it's for someone else, over the metal caseing. For those that are aware of the small form factor pc's, I cannot wrap the Fabric up and under the two sides since that is where the metal caseing attaches to the base. Using Screws or Rivits would not interfere with the closing of the metal caseing.

I need the fabric to be pulled tight, really tight and hold into place. There will not be much of a Glueing area on the top of the metal caseing which also causes some concerns.

Anyone have any solutions?

few coats of some spray adhesive, or some sore of paint on contact cement

velcro or hook and loop fastener

Napalm...spray adhesive would be a cleaner/smoother look. The question is now, what type of adhesive would work and would I have to strip/sand the original paint off the caseing?

I guess it's time for me to start hitting the craft stores. Thanks Napalm!

id say you shouldnt have to strip it taz. but maybe to be on the safe side you should.

vacuum- drill lots of tiny holes in the case then create a mega vacuum to hold the fabric in place

or magnets glued to the case and to the fabric

Quote: Originally posted by Maverick id say you shouldnt have to strip it taz. but maybe to be on the safe side you should.

I think it will depend on the type of adheasive. I might get away with just sanding it down...but one never knows! I'm going to try to hit the crafters place tomorrow...still if anyone knows of a spray adheasive that will hold fabric to metal please chime on in.

me_john85, velcro would not give a clean enough look and would not allow me to keep the fabric tight.

Spc. Forces Bob...I don't think they would lay fabric on a PC Case....but if they did would they charge by the foot?

The_Lost_Monkey...LMFAO Monkey! I like the Magnet idea, however I would guess it would be like the velcro and unable to keep tight.

ive seen 3m spray addhesive for fabric im not sure if it would hole to metal but im sure it would, anyway it shoudl say on the back of the can. if you dont get to the store by tomorow i will check for ya they ahve like 4 diffnt kinds at my work

3M spray adhesive will glue just about any fabric to anything. My dad owns a body shop, so it's just like a headliner. Take the part to be covered, and lay it on top of the fabric. Measure around it, to ensure a tight fit. Then, spray the case, which does not have to be sanded, unless it's absolutely mirror finished. You will want some overhang arond the edges, to ensure a good fit. If necessary, file the inside of the case around the edges to give the clearance for a single layer of the cloth on the backside. That way, the seams will be nonexistent, providing the cleanest look possible. You do know how to make good corners, right? Cut a square out of the corner, up to the tip of the case. Fold both sides over, and then measure the triangle of overlap. Then, remove the overlap so that the edges butt together perfectly. Then, spray the back of the cloth and fit them. Voila-perfect one-layer fabric job on the case. PS-try on a POS first-it needs some practice...

KayinStorm...thanks for the information....very informative (including the clean corners)! I do have another case of an earlier model that I can try it on without destroying the original. The case is not a mirror finish and is not smooth...so I will give it a try.

I really hope this works since this process is the only glitch to a very "simple" and unique mod.

BTW...I actually got the idea from watching While You Were Out and Trading Spaces. There are so many good ideas on those shows that can be applied to PC Mod's.

the 3m glues part number is 77 or it might be the model number anyways the can has a big 77 on it or did at least last time i used it

The_Lost_Monkey....You are very correct...I finally found it at the 3m website...

"High tack, high coverage and fast drying for permanently attaching foils, carpeting, paper, cardboard, felt and, cloth to painted or unpainted metals, wood and hardboard."

I seems as though I will not have to sand down or strip the paint off!

Thanks all for the information and help!

That's the stuff.

Be sure to clean up around where the case fits, or it will scrape your expensive and fun mod work right off. If in doubt, file a bit, because the fabric will still keep the dust out. You'd rather push a bit of metal than ruin a mod. that stuff's a royal b**** to get off.

(no worries guys, I censor myself.)

Keep me posted, why don't you-i'm really interested in how this one turns out.

yeah my grandma had that stuff to put up her celing on her old car the fabric was coming down and we just shot some stuff up there and problem solved

KayinStorm...this time I will be taking pictures from the first step to the last and final outcome. The idea of it will be intriguing and should provide a new way to mod your computer and I will be providing other options when I post the process. However, the design that I have come up with Will Not appeal to most since it is being desinged for a 2nd grade Teacher and her students.

ok trivia whats 3M stand for? no going to the 3m site to search

great deal. I'd even do it for you if I was in Cali, but I'm across the nation...

Quote: Originally posted by The_Lost_Monkey ok trivia whats 3M stand for? no going to the 3m site to search

I have no clue...maybe someone will answer that question.

I did find something really stupid on the website...if you go to choose the Country...Alaska is listed and is not part of the United States. Can you say someone at 3m does not know that Alaska is part of the United States!

its not to the people from the land of 3m or 3m land wouldnt be the northern most state

Quote: Originally posted by The_Lost_Monkey ok trivia whats 3M stand for? no going to the 3m site to search

easy one, my 3 "hobbies"... mods, motors, and muffins

as a side trivia note, Alaska is also the easternmost AND westernmost state in the country