Skip to content

SEGA GAME GEAR – How to paint a shell – Part One

  • by
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Sega game gear shell Prep for Painting

In this tutorial, I will guide you through a step by step process of how I prep a Sega Game Gear shell to be ready for paint application

Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Before you start

Clean the Shell

Use warm water with a small amount of soap to clean any residue from the manufacturing Process

Tools Needed

Masking Tape
Hobby Knife
Screwdriver
Vinyl decal (optional)
Side cutters (optional)

Difficulty Level -
Beginner

This part of the process does not require a high level af skill
Can take 10 - 30 minutes

Let's Begin Prep on the Game Gear

Step One - Remove parts

A. Remove the 4 screws as highlighted in the picture, I like to use this screwdriver

B. (Optional) If you will be using an aftermarket screen, I would suggest removing this post at this stage using the side cutters

The resulting look will be a shell with no metal plate and One less post

Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Step Two - Add Vinyls

This Step is Optional if you just want to paint with no decals

Add Your Vinyl decals or Stickers that you are going to use. 

My decals are made using removable vinyl as they will be removed later in the painting process.

*All Decals are on the inside of the shell, and if you have reversed your decals when Printing/purchasing, your shell will look like this:

Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Step Three - Masking the shell (outside)

Front of the shell:

Using Masking tape, tape the shells as shown below.  Reasons for masking the outside:

  • Stops paint from leaking to the outside ( makes clean up easier)
  • Easier to handle the shell 
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Back of the shell:

Remove the Battery Ports, Mask as shown below.  Areas to be careful with:

  • Where the cartridge slot is, ensure you cover this first, this will stop the paint from leaking out
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
  • Mask around the sides
  • Inside the battery ports, there are a couple of big holes to fill
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Step Four - Masking the shell (Inside)

Skip this step if you are just using one colour throughout

Using Masking tape, tape the inside around the where the lense is.  In this shell design, once the first solid colour goes down, the mask will be removed to allow the clear colour to then go down on top

Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Step Five - Masking the Battery Doors

Cover the Battery doors in masking tape.  

Using the hobby knife carefully run along the inside edge of the doors, then remove the tape left from the inside.

Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Final step - Plugging some holes

Using a small amout of masking tape fill in the 4 holes used for the Game Gears wrist strap

Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide
Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

Completed Project - Sega Game Gear

This should be the resulting look of you Game Gear.  Now its ready for you to choose your colours and make it your very own piece of art.  Find the complete version here:

Tails Shell Product

Sega Game Gear, Custom building, How To guide

More Guides

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sending