Clear Coat Paint

[Steve978]

Looking for a clear coat paint that will come out with a kind of plastic feel to it. Is there such a thing? If so where can I get it? I'm modding my case to make it look like brushed alumium and I dont want it to start rusting or staining or something not good. Also while I'm asking does anyone know where to get a nibbler?

 

[clocker2]

Is this a steel case we're talking about?
Clear powdercoat would work.
Don't know about the "plastic feel" though...

Do you want a power nibbler( Harbor Freight, Grizzly,Snap-On,Sears) or a hand version(I got mine at CompUSA)?

 

[Steve978]

you can get power nibblers? what do they run off air?

 

[Nightingale]

Yes they make pneumatic nibblers and electric ones but the electric ones run like $800 . The pneumatic one on harbor freight is only 30 bucks plus shipping http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46061.

 

[dalilman52]

yeah...but then if u bought one of those things, ud have to buy a air compressor or something...but 30 bucks? that doesnt seem to expensive...hmmm

 

[Robrules18]

you can get air compressors that have big enough tanks to run that while their off for a while, for like 100 bucks... ive gopt like one of the "standard sized ones" that have like a 2-3 foot long tank, its nice, they also have the small ones with like theroms sized tanks but it would have to run constantly and would get annoying very fast.

 

[Nightingale]

It helps if you already have an air compressor like me. I spent around 280 with taxes at my local lowes on a 20gallon 5hp compell housefield compressor with accessories and stuff. Its a great compressor and also works great for powering air cannons.

 

[Nero]

Steve, just use a dremel. It's cheaper than a power-nibbler and more versatile in the long-run. Several clear-coats (combined with a multi-layer, sanded paint-job) will look the best. Check out the sticky on case painting here is the forum. Metalic spray-paints don't respond well to sanding (they lose their shine), but it might end up looking kinda "brushed". Also, try and get the clear-coat from the same brand as the paint you're going to be using.

 

[dalilman52]

Steve, just use a dremel. It's cheaper than a power-nibbler and more versatile in the long-run. Several clear-coats (combined with a multi-layer, sanded paint-job) will look the best. Check out the sticky on case painting here is the forum. Metalic spray-paints don't respond well to sanding (they lose their shine), but it might end up looking kinda "brushed". Also, try and get the clear-coat from the same brand as the paint you're going to be using.

everything i was gonna say, but remember, if u are cutting thru the paint, put masking tape over it, and dont skimp on the masking tape, but a good-quality painter's masking tape that will peel right off and leave no adhesive, like 3-m or duck tape brand. the masking tape prevents the tape from peeling or flaking off when cutting thru the metal. (find one that has low adhesion so it doesnt peel the paint off with the tape, u can find this stuff in the painting aisle in walmart)

 

[Steve978]

Well I'm not painting it metallic, I wanted to see what the case looked like without the paint... and it looks really good I sanded it down the range of sand papers to 1500 and its gota nice mirror look to it and does really look like nice aluminum, Now can you spray a clear coat right onto this metal just so that it doesnt rust or stain.

 

[Nightingale]

You realize aluminum doesn't rust right(simple error)?

 

[Steve978]

Well its not really aluminum thats the problem its a cheap steel a case that I sanded and polished so that it would look kind of like an aluminum one. I was just bored and looking for a mod

 

[Nero]

Rust or not, a couple clear coats will help it resist scratching. It won't prevent scratches, but it will help.

 

[Steve978]

this thread went pear shaped I just wanted to know the best place to find it and hello nero you comin back to maine soon? cause you can help me with my divx's

 

[Nero]

Steve, go to home depot. Go to the spray-paint section. You'll see several choices. I used Painters Touch by Rustoleum clear on my case, but there are others there.

OT:
I'm comming back from school on the 18th for about a month. You know I'll be over there a bunch, but I wanna know this, don't you have a DVD-burner? If you do, why in the heck are you wanting to rip to DivXs? Just PM me so we wont take this thread any farther out than it needs to be

 

[ZachM]

On the nibbler subject I got my hand powered nibbler locally at a Harbor Freight for $6. They sell the one I got here and the slightly better version here on-line. Nero, the Dremel might be more versitile, but I'll challenge somebody with a Dremel anyday on who can get the straightest cut. The nibbler is much easier to cut straight with, and leaves a much cleaner edge compared to a Dremel. It takes more effort to cut with a manual nibbler than with a Dremel, but it is worth it when you don't have to spend 6 hours grinding to get the cut straight.

 

[dalilman52]

if u use the fiber-glass reinforced wheels for a dremel, it makes a HELL of a lot straighter line...plus cuts a bunch faster too, and doesnt take so much metal off like the thick ones