This project documents the transformation of a Sun LCD monitor into a retro-styled display matching the iconic teal aesthetic of Silicon Graphics Indy workstations from the 1990s.
Donor Monitor
Like the NeXT display project, this build starts with a Sun LCD Monitor Model 365-1432-01 from the 2000s era. With its 1280x1024 native resolution, it works perfectly with both Silicon Graphics and NeXT workstations.
Color Selection
The SGI Indy came in two color schemes: the iconic Teal Blue and a Stone finish that matched period-appropriate keyboards and mice. After examining paint samples, I decided I had a much better shot at recreating the Teal Blue rather than the Stone finish.
Preparation
Surface Prep
All Sun logos were wet-sanded using 1000-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface for painting.
Primer
Applied 1-2 coats of Rust-oleum Self-Etching Primer as the foundation. This primer is essential for proper paint adhesion to plastic surfaces.
The Painting Process
Base Layer
Rust-oleum “Lagoon” spray paint provides the foundation color. On its own, it’s too bright and doesn’t have quite enough green to match the Indy’s teal, but it serves as an excellent starting point.
The “Puff” Technique
Rather than spraying continuously, I use a unique “puff” method from 4-5 feet away. Quick bursts of paint allow gravity to distribute the color naturally, building up thin, even layers without runs or drips.
Color Layering
Achieving the perfect Indy teal required multiple layers:
- Metallic paint - Mimics the slight reflective quality of the original Indy plastic
- Satin Black - Reduces the brightness of the Lagoon base
- Navy - Adds depth to the blue tones
- Hunter Green - Fine-tunes the blue-green balance
- Matte Clear Enamel - Protective topcoat
The entire color-matching process took three days of careful refinement, applying thin layers and evaluating the result against the actual Indy computer body.
Final Assembly
After the paint fully cured, I added an authentic SGI badge to the monitor bezel. Upon reassembly, I paired it with an Indy-teal desktop background to complete the look.
The final result is amazingly close to the body of the computer - a display that looks like it could have shipped from Silicon Graphics in 1993.
Gallery
