I just posted a new blog entry: [drupal=108]Worklog: Dark Sci-Fi Themed Qmicra2 SFF PC[/drupal]

Quote: In 2006, PCDesignLab's owner, Dave LaLopa introduced himself and his american made Qmicra SFF case to me. ...

You can find the [drupal=108]full post here[/drupal].

Sweeeet! The Qmirca is one of my faorite cases of all time and it's going to be awesome to see what you can do with it.

Shame it's so expensive though.

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Shame it's so expensive though.

Yes, you do pay for "Custom Made in America" products.

Heres the pre-production sample of the Qmicra I received.

Arriving naked, in it's bare aluminum skin makes it a good canidate for Diy painting tutorial.

Before paint begins, I'd like to give more breathing room. I like blowholes, they remind me of motorcycle fuel caps.. I'll also open the factory exhaust.. The ring pictured here is a blowhole kit I make and sell.. btw: Guru from PlanetAMD just got the last one I made. I'll have more avail in a few months. The cnc mill is tied up with other production parts for the time being..

Bare skin aluminum Qmicra



Positioning Mnpctech machined blowhole to nail location of 120mm fan hole

As you could tell from my review, I'm fond of the Qmicra.

Glad to see this case in the Master's hands.

Quote: Originally Posted by mnpctech_guy Arriving naked, in it's bare aluminum skin makes it a good canidate for Diy painting tutorial.

Its almost a sin to paint over such a beautifull aluminum,with some polished accents bits here and there, a brushed exterior it would look very nice.

Welcome to PCApex Ashraf!

@ Wordbiker, Daves flying into Minneapolis next weekend to mod another Qmicra2 alongside me in the shop. We're gonna record the project along with other fun stuff for YouTube I need to have this one done before his arrival so he can install a killer gaming system!


For cutting 120mm fan holes, I use a Greenlee Knock out Punch
Greenlee part # 730EBB-120 Last time I inquired, they were around $450 in the states + Large 3/4" socket wrench, and 2" socket. I wouldn't use anything less than 19" long socket wrench. Estimated purchase price of $550 new. Watch Ebay because these punches do periodically appear!


Threaded shaft of Knock-out punch


Knock-out punch blade


Ready to cut hole.


You need leverage. Using 19" Socket wrench to draw in knock-out punch blade


Since I'm making this hole in the cover of the Qmicra, I need to make a pilot hole for the bearing shaft of the punch dye.

I've placed the Qmicrav2 cover on wood blocks to avoid bending it


Here I'm using a 2" hole saw attachment for a Power drill to make the pilot hole.


I've postioned the Greenlee punch inside the 2" pilot hole in the cover. Now I just crank the ratchet to make the hole.


Clean cut!


For making the fan screw mounting holes, the quickest method is a Roper Whitney No. 5 Jr Hand Punch kit available here
Hand punch (estimate $60 new)




Faster than a power drill and no burrs!

Great to see another project on the way Bill! I really gotta get me one of those whole punches when I can afford one!! would make My life a hell of a lot easier

I'll be watching this one as I do all your projects

I remember when they contacted us before they started mass production of their original Qmicra. I thought then that the design was innovative and functional, but they were so new they only had a few cases available. At that time they couldn't allow us to have the case indefinitely so the review didn't happen. I was glad to see that Wordbiker was able to get his hands on one after they went into production. I still think there is no other case out there that can equal the design.

If there is anybody who can improve upon a manufacturer's design, it's Bill. I still have the signed Prototype #2 of his SC195 and the custom painted Tsunami Ultra sitting behind me right now. Both are daily drivers for das Frau and kids. I can't wait to see what he comes up with for the Qmicra2.

Ebay is the place to get the tools...

I got a Roper Whitney punch for I think it was $35.00. It was a complete kit and in good condition.

I got a 19" Craftsman socket wrench for $25.00.

2" socket was about the same price.


I picked up a new in box 79.4 mm (w/draw stud), a slightly used 89.9mm (with draw stud) and slightly used 115mm (with draw stud and bearing nut) all for about $300.00.

I still have yet to use any of it though since I bought it all over two years ago as college and this stupid home remodel has taken over all my spare time... I cant wait though, I have been slowly working on a mod in my spare time and am at the point to where I need to get some sheet aluminum to replace some sections that I cut out to put in custom sized fans. Hopefully I will gitterdun soon!

Hey Gang, Thanks for the replies!

tbh, theres really not a lot you can do to the Qmicra to improve it. Removing the rear exhaust grill is easiest solution for better airflow. If anything else, I'd replace the front grills with larger ventilation holes, but I actually like the stainless steel grills "as is"

For this mod project, I wanted to concentrate more on aesthectics and have fun! Maybe inspire existing and future Qmicra owners to mod their cases. Thats also why I'm doing the paint video tutorial.

btw: (Dave) and I wll be launching another Qmicrav2 worklog in just a couple weeks, we're planning a dark Sci-Fi theme. We're going to record the build for YouTube too!

Back to v2 Hot Rod, some of these photos are screenshots taken from the video guide to "Modding The Qmicra" I'm making

Painting The Qmicra

I had to first, sand the seam in the cover by hand with 600 grit sandpaper


Black & Decker "Mouse Sander" armed with med grit sandpaper


Front of Qmicra after sanding


Rear of Qmicra prepped for paint!


Using Tack Cloth to remove dust particles before applying primer coat


Masking off Qmicra's Floor Before Painting..



Video screenshot: "Safety First, Wear a Filtered Canister Respirator"


SEM Brand Self-Etching Primer


videoscreen shot: Applying the Self-Etching Primer coat (best adhesions to bare metal)


videoscreen shot: Cleaning the surface again with Tack Cloth, after applying 2 coats of Self-Etching Primer


videoscreen shot: After 30 mins, I apply the color coat, Plastikote Gloss Black Engine Enamel




I applied 5 coats of Engine Enamel with 5 minute drying time intervals


Shots of Finished Paint Coat Before I Start Wetsanding..


This is the Dual 120 Radiator Grill!


Before Wetsanding..


Rear of Qmicra



Next Stage Is Wetsanding The Black Enamel Paint...

Bill, you doing anything to keep the dust at bay in your shop?

Quote: Originally Posted by FeRaL Bill, you doing anything to keep the dust at bay in your shop?

The paint stages from the video were done in my garage with exhaust fans, but before each stage of painting, I always wipe the surface with a Tack Cloth

Looking good Bill!!
That is one sexy case and I'm looking forward to see you bring it alive!
You always make case-modding look easy, this is something I've noticed
consider me subbed

Cheers MOBEUS!

Before I cover wetsanding the Qmicra's enamel finish,

Wetsanding paint is easy to learn. However, you must use your own judgement on how much of the finish needs to be wetsanded.
I'm not there to see how many coats of paint you applied, how it was applied or conditions like dust and humid/cold temperatures.
So it's really difficult for myself or others here to give advice by looking at bad photos of goof-ups.

My best advice is to practice on something you don't care about first!

Facts about Bill's wetsanding preferences and why?

1. For mirror-like paint finishes, I will only use Gloss Enamel Paints.
Enamels provide the best durablility and the best shine. However, Enamel paints are more fickle to apply than Laquers.
The nozzles tend to spit enamel paint more as the can's pressure drops. Enamel paints also need longer cure times. I tell people to let enamels "air dry" cure for at least one week before wetsanding. 2 weeks is even better! If you don't wait, you're more likely to scratch the paint as you're wetsanding.

2. The best Gloss Enamel paint brands I've used are made by Duplicolor & Plastikote

3. For a mirror-like finish, I always apply a minimum of 5 color coats. Between each coat, I allow 5 mins of dry time

4. Always paint in a dust free and ventilated enviroment with temperatures ranging from 65 -72F.

5. Wear a filtered canistor respirator approved for professional painting

This is a video demonstration of my technique for applying a coat of enamel paint to a side panel ..and then my wetsanding technique



For the Qmicra's finish, I'm using 3 different 3M Automotive WET/DRY sandpaper grits in this order.. 600, 800, & 1000 grit.
btw: You can get even more in depth with your own project and continue wetsanding with 1200, 1500, 2000.


As I demonstrated in the video above, use a hand cloth to wipe away excess water and survey progress, and clean your wetsanding block, A piece of dirt or debris trapped under your sanding block could be disaterous! it will make deep scrathes in your paint!!



Rubber sanding Block (for wetsanding panels)


I use tap water w/ 2 or 3 drops of dish washing soap. The soap helps keep your sandpaper from getting clogged with paint.
Use this bowl frequently, to clean off any paint your sanding block.



More of the actual westanding will be shown in the Qmicra video.

Start with the 600 grit.. For small details like the border around the Qmicrav2's bezel, you can wetsdand with small pieces of sandpaper instead of the sanding block.





Heres what your finish should look like after wetsanding the entire case with 600 grit sandpaper. Repeat again with 800 & 1000 grit.



Heres an example of the stages when I wetsanded another case with 800,1000,1200,1500,2000




Next will be buffing the finish for a luster shine with Perfect-IT II fine cut rubbing compound.

So since you used 5 color coats, do you not need a clear coat? I am actually painting a case right now, and I have only primed and will begin color coats tonight. Awesome job so far!

Dave Lalopa from PCDesignLabs rides a Harley.. (j/k Dave)

After some modification, this HD gas tank badge will make a cool Bulgin switch plate

That is awesome work Bill I'm envious of your talent and nice tools. Makes things so much easier / faster!

Keep up the great work and I will be keeping an eye on your blog.

Hi Jess! Good to see you.

I love collecting motorcycle and car badges. I won't go into details about my junk yard and recycle bin diving days I think it looks much better on the case than the tank.

btw: I'm picking up Dave Lalopa today, he flew in from NY to mod another case with me over the next 3 days. We have no real plans yet other than it will be dark and evil Sci-Fi theme.

Hi Everybody,

While Dave was in town, we recorded this video overview of the Qmicrav2 and the steps involved in painting it