Customizing Controllers With Simple Airbrush Techniques.

I am a person who loves to tackle new things all the time. Being an airbrush artist I am always on the lookout for something that I can add color to or add a little bit of my taste into the mix. Recently, as I was playing my racing game to some tasteful metal, I looked down on my dirty PS3 controller and thought, "I'm going to make this greasy boring pad a "Metallica" controller." I figured I'd document the work so that it may be useful to those of you who are probably trying to take on a similar task.

Well, my fellow gamers(and anyone else looking to embark on a similar project, it is the same process for anything plastic) here is the light at the end of the modding tunnel. Before each step I’ve included a tools list. You will also find links to where to get the materials and tools at the bottom of my write up.

REMEMBER ALWAYS WEAR A MASK!!! If you don't have one at least wrap a shirt around your face. I am not responsible for any cancers or conditions you might acquire from your addictions to the aromatic fumes.

*Prep: This part is CRUCIAL!!! If you want your paint job to adhere and last long don't rush and take your time to complete this step thoroughly!

-Tools needed: 3M scuff pad or 600 or 800 grit wet sanding paper.

Take apart your pad putting all the screws and internals somewhere safe(I like using zip-lock bags). Then take the outer shells of the controllers and degrease them by washing them using a toothbrush in warm water and some dish soap. Let dry and use a 3M scuff pad and thoroughly scuff the surface of the entire controller making sure you get every nook and cranny. If you dont have a scuff pad then use some 600 or 800 grit sandpaper and wetsand the controller using a mix of water and some dish soap to keep the sandpaper moving smoothly over the surface of the controller. Rinse with some water and dry it. Check for any spots you might have missed with the sandpaper or scuff pad and go over it again. Rinse and wipe down with some alcohol to make sure it is completely oil free. Now it's ready for some primer.

Primer: This area will cover how to prepare the surface for some paint.

Tools needed: PATIENCE!!! (i can not stress how important this tool is lol)

- Adhesion promoter: I use bulldog adhesion promoter or dupont adhesion promoter. These are used on auto repair and it’s for a reason. It is the best for plastic. I usually refrain from using primer on plastic as it is easier to chip the paint than using adhesion promoter.

- A niosh certified paint mask. Last thing you want to do is inhale all of this toxic goodness. Make sure you are spraying in a well ventilated area.

- Masking tape, an exacto knife, and a pencil.

Before applying the adhesion promoter, wash with dish soap again and then once it dries give it a quick wipe down with alcohol on a rag. Now get your can of adhesion promoter and spray light mists passing the can from side to side starting from the top working your way down to the bottom of the controller. If you feel you might have not missed some spots do not worry wait 3 – 5 mins for it to dry and do it again. You do not want to spray this on wet. Misting it will give you the best results.

Design and Paint: This is where you let the creativity flow.

Tools needed: PATIENCE!!! (i can not stress how important this tool is)

- A good airbrush. For those on a budget I recommend using the Iwata Revolution BR it is a quality brush for fine detail and it's under $100 bucks!!

- Airbrush Paint: I personally love createx airbrush paint. I use acrylic paint and i mix it with acrylic base 1 part base to 3 parts paint. You can also purchase the premixed and ready to spray createx auto-air line. Get yourself some airbrush cleaner or some paint thinner (it is an ABSOLUTE MUST to keep your brush clean even between changing paint if you want your paint to flow smoothly and to avoid spitting)

- Air compressor: You can use any air compressor it doesn’t need to be fancy and these are definitely good if your starting up. If u can, pick up one of those moisture filters which are good so that you don’t get any water shooting through your airbrush ruining your masterpiece.

- Clear coat: I use a spray gun with some dupont scratch resistant clear. For those on a budget you can pick up some good ol’ Krylon gloss clear. Stay away from those brands promoting triple thick clear coats. Regular krylon gloss clear is good and durable.

- Masking tape and an exacto knife. And a pencil.

Now while the adhesion promoter dries take the time to draw out on a piece of paper what your design would be. I Chose to make an electric chair on the back with some lightning coming out of it. So I took a print out of a chair and I cut it out carefully with the exacto knife. Then I kept both the cut out and the surrounding paper and put it to the side because this is what I am going to use to make the design.

Now that I had my stencil made I went back to my controller and I sprayed a very light mist of white with my airbrush (setting my compressor to about 25 – 30 psi) in the area where I was going to set my “electric chair”. Then I used the part of the stencil (the piece of paper that I cut the chair out of) and I sprayed a light mist of black to create the silhouette of the chair. Use small pieces of masking tape to keep the stencil in place. With my airbrush I then made some careful highlights on the silhouette of the chair to add highlights and make the detail show through. I then decided I wanted to make lightning come out of the chair so I free handed some thin squiggly/shaky lines in white coming out of the top and bottom of the chair. Remember to keep the stream of the paint very light because you don’t want to make a blotch of color shoot out ruining your work.

Now remember the closer you have your brush to your work the finer the line. I then made a white halo over the lines I just freehanded by pulling the brush back a little and spraying an even lighter mist of white. Then I used some clear light blue and I misted it over the entire backing of the controller focusing mainly on the areas where I misted the white. It gives the lightning a cool electric blue look.

Clear Coating: This step is what makes your work pop. It is also the paint that keeps your work protected.

Tools Needed: Krylon clear (or clear of choice)

Start by spraying even light coats at the top working your way down (don’t try to spray it like it’s hairspray). You want to go from side to side overlapping 25% of the last pass. Don’t spray too close keep your hand about 1 foot away from your controller. Then wait about 5 mins and do another coat. Repeat this step until you have sprayed a minimum of 3 coats. I like to spray 5 coats when I’m using can clear. 3 with my spray gun.

Let dry for a day.

Last step: Sanding and polishing.

Tools needed:

- 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit wet sand paper with a bowl of water and dish soap solution

- Car polishing compound

- Car wax

- Patience

Ok this step requires you to be patient and delicate.

Start out by lightly wet sanding the pad with 1500 and I mean lightly in 1 direction and stick with the direction. Be careful and let the sand paper glide don’t apply pressure and dont spend time sanding the edges or you will cut into through the clear coat and paint. Don’t be cute and sand in circular motion or cross sand. Keep it 1 way (top to bottom working your way from one side to the other). Then do the same with 2000 grit, and finally the 2500 grit. Now use some polishing compound on a damp rag and also lightly rub in the same direction you were sanding. Now your ready for some wax. Use another rag and apply a thin layer of wax all over the controller and let become hazy. Now use a t-shirt and buff off the wax and viola you are done. Put it back together and show off to your friends the controller that NO ONE ELSE HAS. Now you can mod anything else you have at home. Sell your work, charge your friends, make masterpieces, make some cash.

I have done many projects on systems, controllers, and automotive/motorcycle parts and one thing that I can not stress the most is to be patient. Practice makes perfect and in less than you know it you will be breezing through these projects.