Question about painting a PC case

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Thu May 31, 2007 2:02 pm

I'm planning to mod a case I have, no problem here.

One thing I'm not too sure though, the case is a cheap one, not too sure what metal it is but the front panel is plastic. If I decide to paint it, most likely black (it's beige right now...), will there be a huge difference between the black on the plastic and on the rest of the case?

I want to keep it simple if possible. To paint the plastic I was looking at something like this:

http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/ima ... _6416b.jpg

Should I sand the rest of the case and use spray paint? Whatever color I shoose, I don't want a glossy finish.

Thanks!

skier · Post by **skier** » Thu May 31, 2007 2:34 pm

well for puff can you would need a "flat" color (eg. flat Black, flat Red etc.) and not use a clear coat(clear coats create a gloss finish, no matter what paint is below it)..

you would want to sand the current paint mostly off, or atleast smooth, unless you want the current texture of the case..

any plastics paint or any paint that says "for plastic" on it(it can say " for Metal/Wood/Plastic" as long as plastic is included)

are you doing any modifications to the case or just paint?

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Thu May 31, 2007 2:42 pm

skierkid450 wrote:are you doing any modifications to the case or just paint?

I think I'm going to sand it, cut some holes and then paint.

I will do something similar to you for the side panel, without the Volkl logo. I'll possibly cut almost the whole top part, keeping only the frame and make a plexiglass window and somehow attach a 120mm fan on it.

I'm thinking black case, red LED fans. This case allow me to hide cables pretty well, so that's good.

Oh and, did you paint your PSU?

skier · Post by **skier** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:01 pm

Zertz wrote: I will do something similar to you for the side panel...

i didnt do anything to the side, just paint- the original Antec Lanboys came with that window, The blue on it is gloss, and the volkl logo is flat black so it stands out more

-the top hole doubles as a handle(i havn't got plexi yet)
- what kind of holes- tiny ones for a little ventilation, or some kind of design?
- and no i didn't paint my PSU but that aint a half bad idea

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:07 pm

skierkid450 wrote:i didnt do anything to the side, just paint- the original Antec Lanboys came with that window, The blue on it is gloss, and the volkl logo is flat black so it stands out more

Nice, I like how the black looks.

skierkid450 wrote: - what kind of holes- tiny ones for a little ventilation, or some kind of design?

Fan size hole (120mm) with some kind of fan grill, nothing too fancy.
Something like this:
http://www.rsssim.com/images/140_112/15 ... 40x112.jpg
Is it possible to cut plexiglass and put a fan grill like this with a fan?

skierkid450 wrote: - and no i didn't paint my PSU but that aint a half bad idea

Yeah I think I read that somewhere... mine is grey so it would look weird if I don't paint it.

I'm gonna dig to find some drawing skills I may have and make a draft.

smack323 · Post by **smack323** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:32 pm

i have never had luck painting plastic it always flakes on me.. perhaps its this plastic paint i need.

skier · Post by **skier** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:51 pm

smack323 wrote:i have never had luck painting plastic it always flakes on me.. perhaps its this plastic paint i need.

for me it worked fine, it looks exactly like the rest of the case, or did yours flake after a looong time, cuz mine i did in late march

HONkUS · Post by **HONkUS** » Thu May 31, 2007 4:59 pm

if your painting plastic I recommend doing this

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Thu May 31, 2007 5:39 pm

HONkUS wrote:if your painting plastic I recommend doing this

His paint job is amazing, thanks for the link!

I was trying to find a way to put some red around and what he did with the drives is a very good idea.

HONkUS · Post by **HONkUS** » Thu May 31, 2007 5:44 pm

not a problem!

I was amazed by it also. Thats why im doing it to my case as well lol.

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Thu May 31, 2007 6:50 pm

Found some pretty interesting stuff while browsing further in his website, he also has detailed guides to cut a window in a HDD/case/optical drive.

http://case-mod-nexus.com/linear/hard-drive-window-2/1/
http://case-mod-nexus.com/linear/case-m ... -window/1/
http://case-mod-nexus.com/linear/case-m ... -painting/

Another question: does paint adhere to the interior metallic part, like the drive cages? I never painted anything that isn't a wall and I want to do a good job, so I'm asking whatever comes to my mind

odie2190 · Post by **odie2190** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:49 pm

wow thats a realllly good paint job.

Indignity · Post by **Indignity** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:13 pm

Zertz wrote: Another question: does paint adhere to the interior metallic part, like the drive cages? I never painted anything that isn't a wall and I want to do a good job, so I'm asking whatever comes to my mind

Yep, same principal as painting the outside. I've found wire brushes help for the little areas you can't reach well.

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:39 pm

I don't have alot of free time, but I'm back to fixing my case now.

I'm going to nearly cut all of my side panel to make a window, leaving about 1-inch for a frame and some space to glue the plexiglass.

Should be getting a Dremel friday so I can
-Cut out the unecessary steel on the 2x 80mm front intakes for better airflow.
-Make 2 holes for 120mm fans at the bottom and a blowhole on top.
-"Upgrade" the 80mm hole on the back to fit a 120mm fan.
-Fix a few things here and there inside the case to improve cable management.

I'm still debating if I should paint the interior, it's kind of ugly but it doesn't matter for now, I can do that later on.

Should get my new CPU heatsink, fans and random stuff I ordered friday so that'll motivate me finishing the job.

I'll take some pictures and upload them eventually.

HONkUS · Post by **HONkUS** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:36 pm

sounds good! I would go with painting the interior, it really adds a unique look to your case.

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:18 pm

With the exterior black, do you think painting the interior in black as well would look nice?

My motherboard's PCB is black too and I'm gonna have red LED fans, final setup should look decent, can't be worst than what it was originally

HONkUS · Post by **HONkUS** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:23 pm

black interior would look good, I did something similar on my last case except I did the interior red. I dunno it just seems like a waste if someone spends time doing the outside of their case and does nothing to the inside. in my opinon anyway

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:05 pm

Yeah, especially with a window it would look kinda crappy.

I don't even have 2 full days/week to work on this so it's going slower than I originally thought. And I'm still waiting on some parts to arrive

Zertz · Post by **Zertz** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:06 pm

Did the interior today, black. Looks pretty good IMO. I screwed up one of my side panels today which really sucks because it's the one we see, probably going to end up staying like that for a while, don't feel like sanding and painting again

Only need my damn fans and stuff to show up...

HONkUS · Post by **HONkUS** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:17 pm

you can get automotive paint stripper at an auto parts store it works great at removing paint off metal but do not get it on your skin or breath it, I got some on my skin and it gave me a nasty chemical burn.

Also did you clear coat your interior or leave it with a matte finish?