I know that it is a common mod, but I just bought some pieces of a MDD system for cheap which I intend to complete this spring. I love the look of the shiny steel chassis floating in clear plastic rather than the tasteful gray (grey?) which Apple chose. It has been really difficult, to my surprise! I have read many accounts on Fritter and elsewhere explaining how a couple of hours soaking in isopropyl rubbing alcohol softens the paint enough that it can be removed even with a paper towel. Well, not on mine! I have soaked them for as long as ten hours and could hardly remove any paint, less than 5%. And I have done this long soaking several times. Now my MDD panels look horribly blotchy. I tested acetone one a small inconspicuous spot but it seems to melt the plastic a bit. My MDD panels do not appear to be really clear acrylic, but rather lightly frosted, which is something of a letdown. If I can't get the clear effect I might finish stripping the gray (somehow) and just paint the inside surfaces another color. They are still 95% gray, 5% clear.
Ugh. Now where am I going to find a good 167 MHZ system bus CPU module for this machine? Too bad that there are so many upgrades out there for the slower 133 MHZ bus units, but I'm finding none for these. Not been my month for tinkering, so far.
CJ
Maybe it doesn't work with the MDD... all the Mods i've seen were done with a Graphite or QuickSilver G4... maybe Apple used another paint on the MDD... but the side Panels might be excangable, might be worth a try.
I've used brake cleaner to remove the "Macintosh" screen printed text infront of beige Macs (if I'm dong a whole case repainting, since leaving it on will still leave visible embossing).
Once again, test first on a small hidden area, but I've never had brake cleaner melt any of the plastics on a Mac. You should also try using a Mr. Clean Magic Cleaning Eraser.
After removing the paint, you will see microscopic scratches that will make clear plastics appear hazy. You will need to do extensive buffing and polishing (not rubbing!) to make it clear.
Things not to use (these WILL melt the plastic): Acetone, Lacquer thinner.