Thinkpads Forum

Hello,
I have a Thinpad 600 (2645-45U) that I'm wanting to sell. Here's what's in it:

*Custom painted dark metalic green (see photos & description below)
Mobile Pentium-II 300MHz 512k L2 cache
288MB RAM (224 usable)
20GB HDD
24x CDROM drive
IBM external floppy drive
13.3" TFT LCD
Choice of Windows XP Pro or Windows 98SE installed with all working drivers

Recent *new* parts:
Keyboard & trackpoint
LCD hinges
ALL port covers
Audio cable
NEW 4400mAh battery (lasts 3+ hours on XP Pro)
Some chasis screws
Two new 128MB sticks of pc66 sodimm RAM

So how much do you think I can sell this for? Tha new battery cost me $50 itself! Also, where do you thik I'd have a better chance of selling this? eBay? These forums?

*This is not a half-fast paint job. The laptop was COMPLETELY stripped down of all it's components, sanded, and apinted. Then a clearcoat was applied at the end. All IBM decals were removed and replaced when the painting was complete. Mind you, it is not perfect, but it is different and it gives this powerhouse some character!

















*I appologize to all you out there without broadband for the photos. I just figured they were needed based on the nature of my post

Definately ebay. When I was searching for my own 600 to buy, plenty that came as loaded, even less, as yours went up to 300$. People on ebay buy things that come complete. I bought my current 600e because it was missing an OS, battery wouldn't hold charge, and that what was listed as problems. I got it for 70$ plus 30$ shipping.

Yeah, somehow the 600 series (including 600E and 600X) are still selling fairly well on eBay, better than the early X series.

there are usually people that buy things based on an obsession with a color, so you are probably in luck. to the knowledgeable thinkpad user, i would say $250 tops. it just depends on what the paintjob is worth to people. you never know how much that could go up to on ebay, especially if someone with a green urge comes about.

It is beautiful. Thanks for posting the pix. Good luck.

underclocker wrote:It is beautiful. Thanks for posting the pix. Good luck.

Thanks! I just bought a HP Pavilion N3390 off ebay for $100 free shipping. I'm planning on painting that one two-tone metalic blue and gold (The University of Akron colors) for my school. I'll probably resell that one on eBay too. It's time to buy an updated piece of technology for the upcoming semester.... Gotta say goodbye to the old clunkers...

That green paintjob can go one of two ways on eBay depending on who sees it.

Oh, hey, you wouldn't, by chance, be willing to take in my T21 for a few days? I'm thinking it'd look pretty good in metallic blood red or two tone black and gold.

all this talk makes me want a chrome thinkpad.

shapiror wrote:

underclocker wrote:It is beautiful. Thanks for posting the pix. Good luck.

Thanks! I just bought a HP Pavilion N3390 off ebay for $100 free shipping. I'm planning on painting that one two-tone metalic blue and gold (The University of Akron colors) for my school. I'll probably resell that one on eBay too. It's time to buy an updated piece of technology for the upcoming semester.... Gotta say goodbye to the old clunkers...

What are the steps? Basically sand, prime, plenty of coats, and a clear coat? Is there sanding after some of the coats?

And you pay the shipping.
You are kidding, right?

Saysana13B wrote:What are the steps? Basically sand, prime, plenty of coats, and a clear coat? Is there sanding after some of the coats?

Well basically, the most important part is the initial sanding. Mostly because we're dealing with IBM's is what makes the sanding a pain. If you haven't noticed, Thinkpads (at least my 600 did) have a thin rubbery coating over teh abs plastic. THIS HAS TO BE COMPLETELY SANDED OFF!!!!! I found this out the hard way. Apparently, if it is not off ALL the way, when the paint sits on that rubbery stuff, it begins to bubble underneith the paint. This will make for a very bad looking paint job.

Also, I recomend you use automotive paint you can get at any Autozone or other auto parts store. If you sand the laptop completely, with the automotive paint you do not need a primer. the abs plastic these shells are made of actually cover very well. I put 2 to 3 coats of paint, depending on the part and how it looked (mostly the larger parts needed 3 coats) then I put 2 coats of a clearcoat over top. I was very pleased at how this method turned out.

Goodluck to all that want to try!!!

PS- I'm not currently taking any laptops in to paint myself. I will be starting school soon, and it's a very time consuming project, one of which I just dont currently have the time for. I would be happy to provide advice though if you want to PM me.

Also, I did do a little sanding inetween coats. Mostly in a few areas that weren't so smooth.

However, this was my first laptop paintjob and I didn't do my initial sanding too well.

Through my experience, I would say that if you take your time and do the initial sanding correctly, you shouldn't need to sand in between.