Want to apply a Decal Over Metal Mesh

[Grnfinger]

I have the Phantom case.
The side panel has the mesh at the bottom front corner that houses the two 120mm fans.

I want to place the decal in this corner and it will cover the mesh in places.
My plan is to grab some stick pins and slightly heat them and poke holes to perforate the decal.

Anyone tried this and can comment or recommend a better way in doing this. I only have the one decal so no room for error. I suppose I could go buy something to practice on.
If I have not made my idea clear enough I can provide some pictures to aid in my mumblings.

 

[Jetster]

Doesnt sound like its going to look right.

 

[Grnfinger]

I've seen it done and looks great if done right ..

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=1038944&mpage=1

Scroll through, thats not my decal I'm using but you see if done correctly its really good imo

 

[Kreij]

It looks like the guy in the link put the mesh over the decal which may help hide the small holes in it from view.
If you are going to put the decal over the mesh, you have no idea how it will look and heating up the pin may discolor the vinyl.
I would definitely get some decals to practice on since you have never tried it before and only have one shot with the final decal.

 

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

It does look as if he placed the mesh over the decal. I do understand what your saying though and if done right would look great. The thing is to get the decal to super stick to the mesh as if it was painted to it. You have to make sure it can't move at all while you are punching the holes out. If it moves in the slightest it can ruin your look.

 

[Grnfinger]

It does look as if he placed the mesh over the decal. I do understand what your saying though and if done right would look great. The thing is to get the decal to super stick to the mesh as if it was painted to it. You have to make sure it can't move at all while you are punching the holes out. If it moves in the slightest it can ruin your look.

This is why I thought heating the pin would melt/seal it sort of if you know what I mean.
Hopefully put less stress on the decal and minimize the chance for it to move.

I have spray glue I was going to give the mesh a quick shot and when done heat it a bit with hairdryer to smooth and help get the glue good and sticky.

 

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

The spray glue would be a good ideal and also let it sit overnight or so just to make sure it's good and dry.

 

[sneekypeet]

poking holes seems about right, but as you add heat the vinyl is going to shrink up. usually for doing this on something like a car you would cut an X in it and wrap the edges, with so little to work with, its going to be tough.

 

[Grnfinger]

I have the decal applied now and going to take the _mad_shots advice and let it sit over night.

Sundays are rather quiet in my house so I think its the best day to try it

 

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

You might also try using a drill bit small enough to fit through the hole in the mesh and use your fingers as the "drill" and twist it trough.

 

[Grnfinger]

excellent idea thank you

 

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

no problem man. It may make it easier for you to do.

 

[Grnfinger]

Well ...
The decal looked great at the start. But once I started to poke out the mesh it was a disaster.

It looked pretty good at first, but the more holes I poked the less it resembled what I wanted and looked more like shredded paper.
So I have placed an ad for someone to airbrush the decal on.
Now I just need to make a stencil in photoshop and let the airbrusher to his work.