Vinyl Covering ?

[Sinkhole]

Just wondering what everyone opinion is. I was considering covering the sides and top of my case in black vinal and doing the front of the case in a combination of black vinyl and paint. I havent seen Vinyl used before. I'm just looking for some opinions.

Thanks

Sink

[rugbyroy]

I've never worked with vinyl before to my recollection, but it's worth a try. GO FOR IT! and show us pics of how it works out too

[Daemonfly]

You could try using "Vinyl Dye" to paint the front plastic face of your case. I just did a black "dye" and it looks very good, although the texture of the plastic wasn't a close match to the actual texture pattern of vinyl. it's close enough though ;)

[Paradoxmaker]

You could try this Case wraps (http://www.casecooler.com/caartcawr.html) . I saw this a while ago and it looked pretty cool to me. These are printed vinyl stickers you apply to the whole case.

[EgeWorks]

I think vinyl would make a pretty decent covering, what would be cool is to put some thin foam sheeting under it to make it a bit springy, if you know what I mean. I think the only hard bit would be the edges. You might have to put a sqaure( L shaped) edge on it to hold it down. I guess if it was a black edge (or silver?) it would look good.

[UnseenMenace]

Wrapping a case in a insulator such as vinyl doesn't sound too good for air flow.. I would assume that it would totally seal up the sides of the case from the air leaks between the case and sides.

[AMD Phreak]

Wrapping a case in vinyl might not look too good. I work with vinyl every day as a car audio installer, and making sharp edges and creases are somewhat difficult. Not to mention the case sides that typically are slid onto the cases, which require a free edge around them so they can slide on properly, you wont be able to wrap the vinyl in to create that seamless look that you want.

However, if you do attempt it, try and find some heat formable vinyl, and some contact cement. Be sure to follow the instructions for the cement, as it requires a lengthy tack time, but once it has tacked, its pretty much going to stick to anything.

You can find the vinyl i am talking about online, or check at a local car audio shop that does custom work (ie: not best buy). They should be able to help you. ALso get a heat gun or high power hair drier to aid in the shaping of the vinyl.

Good luck!

[Wiseass]

Head to your local sign shop. Fastsigns, Sign-o-rama, or whatever. I used to work in a sign shop and the stuff comes on huge rolls like 18", 12" and I think 6" wide by however many feet long. See if you can have any scrap to get an idea, when I worked with it we had two types, Premium and Standard vinyl, premium was much thinner, had a shiney surface and was mainly for outdoor, auto, truck, etc use. standard is a bit thicker, was a little bit more forgiving but was sort of dull. both of them you can heat with a heat gun/hairdryer and use it to mold. As for the edges, just wrap it around to the back and it won't peel off as easily.

Sparcal I think was the supplier we used for our vinyl, you might be albe to check online and see if you can get sheets or whatever. It comes in all sorts of colors. I had a friend that applied some black vinyl to his case, looked pretty good until he pulled it off, gunk everywhere heh

[gecko]

That reminds me... I was planning on making a fiberglass case awhile ago... nice smooth edges and shiny automotive finish. There wouldn't be a sharp edge or corner at all... I dunno, just the car audio thing made me think of all the cool stuff I used to do with glass when I installed.

Kinda sounds like too much of a pain though, huh?

Oh well. Vinyl could look cool if it doesn't make everything too hot. It would be cool to put matting under it and then make a pattern out of screws (kind of like quiliting a little). Maybe get shiny stuff and make a padded '70s era comp. :D

-Pete

[dowmace]

That fiberglass case idea sounds really good. It might be kinda hard to pull off but still sounds awesome.

But to the topic at hand vinyl seems like it's gonna trap in heat really well so I wouldn't do it regardless. Just seems um....bad to me.

[Paradoxmaker]

Originally posted by dowmace
That fiberglass case idea sounds really good. It might be kinda hard to pull off but still sounds awesome.
But to the topic at hand vinyl seems like it's gonna trap in heat really well so I wouldn't do it regardless. Just seems um....bad to me.

Why it seems to be the consensous that if you do not have an all aluminium case you don't have good cooling. IMO as long as the case has a good internal layout, sufficent cooling fans, and good ventalation it won't matter a bit if the case is steel, plexi, fiberglass, alu, or vinyl covered.

Of course your temps will suffer, no matter the material if you either do not include enough cooling holes(when building your own case) or cover up all the ones on the case with vinyl. But as far as trapping heat in, I just don't buy it.

But I do wonder, if Sinkhole is just wanting his case black why is he not just painting it? Seems like it would be easier to me.

[AMD Phreak]

I just remembered there are two types of vinyl.... decal vinyl and vinyl vinyl... doh:bang head

[Sinkhole]

I worked in car audio for several years and I understand exactly were your coming from AMD Phreak. I should have been a 'lil more clear. But given my experienc I think I could do the vinyl your think of. I would definitly need to mod the case were the vinyl rapped around the edges. Have Dremel will travel. but I was considering all black "decal"vinyl.

Sink

[Wiseass]

Originally posted by Sinkhole
I worked in car audio for several years and I understand exactly were your coming from AMD Phreak. I should have been a 'lil more clear. But given my experienc I think I could do the vinyl your think of. I would definitly need to mod the case were the vinyl rapped around the edges. Have Dremel will travel. but I was considering all black "decal"vinyl.

Sink

back in the sign shop we used the "premium" as the decal vinyl.

they claimed an outdoor life of 10 years or something, 5 on the standard.

I say go for it.

[AMD Phreak]

Since it is decal vinyl... do it. I assume you have seen vinyl applied before or have done it your self. Pretty straight forward. Good luck man! Get us some pics too!

[gecko]

Ohhhhh!!!! Decal Vinyl! Doh.

I was way overthinking that thing man... decal vinyl would be cool. Should go on really easy too.