Stylish Mod Expert: Help me w/ PaintJob

[train22]

Need I say more? Of course…
Like the title says, I am about to build my new system and I really want a nice paint job to it. Now I need help in 2 areas.

1. What specifically do I need to do to achieve a very professional finish? In other words, what is the smoothest brush, possibly a sponge brush? A roller? What type of paint will give me the natural shine, not the fake stuff that rubs off with a nail wipe? I want a nice even layer; I don't care if I have to go through 3-5 layers as long as I attain that crisp elegance.

2. This is the toughest one of all, making up my mind, I just can’t! I can’t figure out the perfect color-combo for my system, I was thinking dark green on darker green, but I really don’t know how well it could end up. I’ve attached a picture of my case just to show you what I’m going to be operating on and to help you answer this simple yet complex question; what color scheme should I go with?

Thank you guys for all the help,
Train22

[train22]

And here is yet another view of my case:

[fuzzba11]

Don't have much to offer except that you should look at the "Cool Case Gallery" at www.virtual-hideout.com to get ideas for colors. I got a couple ideas for window shapes and modifications in general. Blue and yellow was one cool combo i saw...

[train22]

wrong site perhaps??? No links or anything related to the subject.

edit: ahh found it, it was .net.

[dimmreaper]

Paint it silver (it looks more like aluminum, but it's called silver). That looks bitchin.

First thing you will need to do is remove all the old paint with 120 grit sandpaper, and rough the plastic up with some 600 grit paper (it'll help the primer stick). Then wipe everything metal down with paint thinner, and everything plastic with water, and let it dry. Then spay the metal portians down with a metal primer compatable with your paint. Then spray the plastic portians down with plastic primer compatable with your paint. Let it dry. Then wet sand the primer with 800 grit paper. Let it dry. Then prime it again. Let it dry. Then wet sand again. Let it dry. Then paint a layer. Let it dry. Then wet sand again. Let it dry. Then paint a layer. Let it dry. Then wet sand again. Let it dry. Then paint again. Let it dry. (if your using a basecoat/clearcoat finish, apply the clearcoat now) Then lightly buff it with "fine cut cleaner".

I haven't painted a PC yet, but I've painted 7 cars if your wondering about my qualifications.

[fuzzba11]

Originally posted by train22
wrong site perhaps??? No links or anything related to the subject.

edit: ahh found it, it was .net.

Sorry about that, it's always posted as .com where I've seen it and I also had to figuire out that it was .net...sorry ;)

[Oni]

Dimmreaper, that seems like too much work for a computer. I'm not saying that it wouldn't look great, but thats just too much. Best thing to do, would be to sand it down to the metal, prime it, sand it, paint it, sand it, paint it again, clear it, and polish it. it'll come out gorgeous. I actually have to do mine again soon, because it only has one coat of paint on it, and I didn't have enough money to buy clear last time, or 2000 grit wet/dry polish paper.

[train22]

ok, great help guys...

how about some color combos? I like that aluminum touch you suggested dimmreaper but I need a pic to see how it looks on a case, any1 have that silver paint job to show off? or other cool jobs I can see?

[Oni]

Mine is painted black, w/ Silver buttons and drive doors. As soon as I can, I'm gunna replace all of the LED's w/ bright blue ones.

[train22]

Originally posted by Oni
Mine is painted black, w/ Silver buttons and drive doors. As soon as I can, I'm gunna replace all of the LED's w/ bright blue ones.

thanx, could you include a pic plz??
I think I am going to go with a bright shiny orange (see pic bellow) for the entire case, any other ideas?

This is the color I would like to have

[CrystalMethod]

Originally posted by dimmreaper
Paint it silver (it looks more like aluminum, but it's called silver). That looks bitchin.

First thing you will need to do is remove all the old paint with 120 grit sandpaper, and rough the plastic up with some 600 grit paper (it'll help the primer stick). Then wipe everything metal down with paint thinner, and everything plastic with water, and let it dry. Then spay the metal portians down with a metal primer compatable with your paint. Then spray the plastic portians down with plastic primer compatable with your paint. Let it dry. Then wet sand the primer with 800 grit paper. Let it dry. Then prime it again. Let it dry. Then wet sand again. Let it dry. Then paint a layer. Let it dry. Then wet sand again. Let it dry. Then paint a layer. Let it dry. Then wet sand again. Let it dry. Then paint again. Let it dry. (if your using a basecoat/clearcoat finish, apply the clearcoat now) Then lightly buff it with "fine cut cleaner".

I haven't painted a PC yet, but I've painted 7 cars if your wondering about my qualifications.

I'd do everything like this except for sanding the paint off. I used an automotive paint stripper (comes in a spray can). Just as a time saver. Gets messy though, and definately don't use the stuff indoors if you want to go this route. Also make sure the panels are in a box of some sort before you start spraying. If that stuff get on anything else (like your neighbor's car...), people may get a little perturbed.

[train22]

Originally posted by CrystalMethod


I'd do everything like this except for sanding the paint off. I used an automotive paint stripper (comes in a spray can). Just as a time saver. Gets messy though, and definately don't use the stuff indoors if you want to go this route. Also make sure the panels are in a box of some sort before you start spraying. If that stuff get on anything else (like your neighbor's car...), people may get a little perturbed.

That sounds much easier and may come out more even because you always miss somthign when sanding. What do you mean it's messier? Isn't it just like the paint? Woudln't I just spray it on and then another paint, then that again, then paint, then clearcoat? Missing anything???

Why don't other people suggest this stuff? It seems really good. Is sanding better?


edit: What's a fine cut cleaner?

[CrystalMethod]

the stuff just softens the paint to the point where you can hose it off with water, or scrape it of with something (stiff piece of card board, or something that won't melt when it contacts the stuff). But, the original paint doesn't just vanish. You still hav eto get rid of it, and hosing it down the drain isn't really an acceptable solution to this. If you can't get rid of the waste product safely afterwards, I suggest just sanding the case.

[KeyboardCowboy]

i find that if i just sand it down with a fairly rough sandpaper and then prime it it will come out alright

[BrianCapps]

You can also use a product called Goof Off to remove paint. All it does is destroy latex, so I wouldn't use it on your bezel. Juse pour some on, let it sit, and use a wire brush or similar to remove the goo it leaves behind.

[train22]

nah, thanx for the ideas but I'll do a bit more work for the better effect (sanding) anyways.. what is that "fine cut clear" stuff?

Lastly.. do I do the same thing on the front "plastic"? I mean woudln't it ruin with a bit too much sanding or that stuff you were talking about???

[Rob Cork]

When my Mum saw me doing all that sanding she offered to drive into town and get a Black & Decker orbital sander as it'd be quicker - but I actually found the sanding quite relaxing. In a funny kinda 'making your arm feel like it's about to fall off' kinda way. Took me about 6hrs of sanding to get all the paint off the case, sanding with 200 grit. Damn hard work but it was nice and shiny at the end :)

As for the plastic, I'd just sand it a little so it's smooth. There's no paint to sand off as the plastic itself is beige-coloured, so you just want to make it nice and smooth so you can get a good finish with the paint. I haven't done mine yet but I heard of one guy who found the paint melted the plastic, so try on a spare drive bay cover first to make sure.

[train22]

lol, what grit should I buy? rough? what #? 600?

[OpenFriday]

Originally posted by Rob Cork
When my Mum saw me doing all that sanding she offered to drive into town and get a Black & Decker orbital sander as it'd be quicker - but I actually found the sanding quite relaxing. In a funny kinda 'making your arm feel like it's about to fall off' kinda way. Took me about 6hrs of sanding to get all the paint off the case, sanding with 200 grit. Damn hard work but it was nice and shiny at the end :)

As for the plastic, I'd just sand it a little so it's smooth. There's no paint to sand off as the plastic itself is beige-coloured, so you just want to make it nice and smooth so you can get a good finish with the paint. I haven't done mine yet but I heard of one guy who found the paint melted the plastic, so try on a spare drive bay cover first to make sure.

Your a paitent man Rob, i just finished sanding today and i got fed up with an orbital and just used a belt sander, made darn snappy work of it, i used 50 grit just to get started then finished with 220, then primed then sanded and thats where im at. But hand sanding? that would have drivin me mad. Props to your paitence Rob.


Originally posted by train22
lol, what grit should I buy? rough? what #? 600?

To take the paint off? I used 50 then finish with 220, but i'd guess that anything from 50-220 would work but if you start with say a 50 like i did it removed the paint in no time. Of coure what i do isnt always right but it worked fine so far. ( only have it primed thus far, buying paint/clearcoat/car wax tomorrow)

[ALENGOSVIG1]

I personally would have just used a rag soaked in acetone to get the paint off. woulda been all off in 10 minutes

[Crazy Jayhawk]

Originally posted by ALENGOSVIG1
I personally would have just used a rag soaked in acetone to get the paint off. woulda been all off in 10 minutes I don't think acetone is that potent.

If you're looking for stuff to get paint of of metal FAST, look for something called Jet-Strip. You'll probably find it at an auto supply store. Used that to strip the paint off my car to repaint it, and you could literally see and hear the stuff working. Sounded like Rice Crispies.

Just be careful. My dad got a glob of the stuff soaked into his sock while working on said car and ended up with a 2nd degree chemical burn on his foot. :eek:

[CrystalMethod]

Originally posted by Crazy Jayhawk
I don't think acetone is that potent.

If you're looking for stuff to get paint of of metal FAST, look for something called Jet-Strip. You'll probably find it at an auto supply store. Used that to strip the paint off my car to repaint it, and you could literally see and hear the stuff working. Sounded like Rice Crispies.

Just be careful. My dad got a glob of the stuff soaked into his sock while working on said car and ended up with a 2nd degree chemical burn on his foot. :eek:
That's pretty much the same thing I used. I just left mine on to do it's thing and went to play a couple of maps of CS. Came back and the paint was like soft butter. Stripped off really nicely.