Introduction
If you are like me, you have used your computer so much, that you tend to get tired of seeing the same thing, day after day. This is just what happened to me, when I thought up the idea of modifying one of the parts. Apparently I am not the first person to modify a computer part, but I might possibly be the first to put color changing paint on my mouse. Either way, I would like to show you how I did it and how you can also do it to your mouse. The mouse I painted was a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer. If you don't have this mouse, but are feeling courageous, then feel free to try it anyway. If you get any cool looking results, then send us some pictures!

The Idea
At first I was thinking about doing something like adding a light to one of my computer components, but everyone seems to have already done that. I then decided I wanted to do something to my mouse. I just had to figure out what, so first off I started taking it apart.

Taking it apart
To take it apart, you first need to take off the little sticker feet which are covering the screws. They come of very easily. Next you need to get a philips screw driver to unscrew the first four screws. After the screws are out, you need to gently pull off the cover from the base; although, this did not come off very easily for me. After you have the shell off, unscrew the front buttons from the rest of the shell so you can paint them separately and they do not glue together while the paint dries.

Preparation
At this point I decided that my mouse needed a new color. I began preparing. Before you start painting, lay out something (such as newspapers) to prevent the paint from getting all over your floor or counter-top. Lay the two shell pieces which you want painted onto the surface. You will need to get some Mirage which is made by Dupli-Color. Click Here to view a list of dealers which sell this product. It comes with three spray cans.

Painting
First you will apply a few coats of the Base Coat. This appears black when painted on the shell. Next you will apply a few coats of the Mid-Coat Color which create the multi-colored effect. The more coats that you apply, the more apparent the color will be. Finally you apply the Top Coat which helps to protect the paint and to make it appear glossy. For further instructions, follow the labels placed on the packaging. You usually will need to allow time for the paint to dry between each coat.

Putting Together
After you have give the paint an adequate amount of time to fully dry, you may put the mouse back together. You should allow about 24 hours before using the mouse from when you put on the last coat of paint, to make sure it hardens (although, I must admit that I could not wait that long). The mouse goes back together the opposite as you took it apart.

Results
After applying many coats from each of the three cans of paint, you are finally rewarded with something that looks like this:

Note that the colors in the pictures above appear to be green, although in different light conditions and if you rotate the mouse, the colors will change between green, blue, and purple.