My original XBOX's logo glows.

Hello all,

I have been modding XBOXes for quite some time, and started when I was 14, in 2004 doing little things like softmods and console lighting with LED's. Nothing serious. I recently took interest in this system all over again when I popped out my Halo 2 LE XBOX with an X3 and X3cp. So I wanted to build another system, and do a little more to the cosmetics to a stock case that I normally had never done. I came across 2 modded XBOXes that a guy was dying to get rid off on XBOX-Scene for $70. One softmodded, and the other with an older Xenium [I hate Xeniums]- both with stock cases.


I haven't any plans for the XBOX with the Xenium yet- so it'll sit for the time being. The softmodded box's bios color settings had been configured to boot up with the start animation purple and blue. I decided to make a very subtle lighting scheme that matches the boot sequence, along with giving it a restored stock look.



I started by removing the jewel with "the hair-dryer method", and then the paint and double-sided tape that applies the jewel to the system with acetone, specifically, my girlfriend's industrial strength nail polish. I read up on a tutorial on how to clear a jewel, as I've never done it before, and all went pretty well. I cleared the jewel and was going to frost it to defract light nicely. I kept reading on in that tutorial and saw how people were complaining about how the silver "XBOX" lettering was coming out along with the jewel's green paint. So I decided I would do that, and paint around the lettering by hand, and have the logo glow instead of the same same ol' lit jewel.



So, next I moved on to the case. I wanted to keep the original gloss finish intact on everything but the X on the case lid, and down to the faceplate. After removing the jewel, I dremmeled out a hole where I thought I'd be doing the full frosted jewel, but that works as well, as I'll only be lighting the lettering. I went on and painted the X black with a Krylon black gloss, so it would come out darker than the unpainted plastic.



See that white dot? The previous owner over tightened a screw and it warped that part of the plastic. The refinishing was iminent- there were a boat-load of scratches on the surface as well. Some sanding, wet-sanding, and some careful spray layering brought back the black.



The [hopefully] second to last coat is now drying and the next post of progress will be the jewel set in the lid, with a little teaser at the lighting. With the color of the lights, I decided I'd do Ultra-violet.


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Update:
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Here is a preview of the XBOX logo and it's clarity. Finally sealed all of the little holes and transparent parts of the black on the jewel. The case top is placed in front of my laptop screen to show it's visibility. Keep in mind my final goal is Ultra-violet.

 

Always like these work-log type threads. Can't wait to see the final product!

 

Nice man! Glowing text is something I haven't seen done to the jewel before...

 

Update #2 is edited into original post!

 

Same- as I mentioned above, people were posting in this other tutorial about how their jewel was "fucked up" becase the lettering came out. Reading that, I wondered how I could use it to my advantage. The idea came to me pretty quick. I'm sure it's been done before, but I, along with you, haven't seen it done. Searched around too. I plan on making it look by far the cleanest and simplified.

I've already placed the U/V lights behind the jewel to get the final idea, and it looks awesome; almost like it's how the box should have came. I think with the other box I might do the same thing but with green lighting. Who knows- maybe on a white XBOX. :] Less is more.

 

Looks fantastic man!

 

Mini Update- The box is done! After loading up my newly acquired 1tb HDD, I'll seal it up and snap some HQ photos with the 50D. :]