custom case paint

Troncoso

Troncoso

VIP Member
for christmas my uncle gave me an old pc. it was originally part of a server and has a complete metal casing. well, i've switched out all the parts and made it a decent build again, but the paint is pretty worn on the case and its got alot of sctraches. i tried painting it once with 97 cent walmart spray paint, but that didn't turn out so well, so after that i sanded all the paint off of it. what i need to know, how i should go about properly applying some paint to this thing. i'm putting a custom design on it just to make it unique, so i want to know how to do that too. to be more specific, i'm not sure what kind of paint to use, if there is some sort of primer i need, or maybe a finishing coating, or what, you know? any help would be very appreciated.

edit: also, i didn't actually sand all the paint off, just the coat i put on it and the finishing coat off the paint under that. but the sand block i'm using won't take off the rest. how should i go about that?
 
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^^use rustoleum brand spary paint, its much better quality. start off with a gray primer, do 2 or 3 THIN coats, allowing about 1 hour between each for it to dry. make sure where u paint it is over 60F or it wont dry right and will clump. after its primed, just paint in thin coats and it should stick just fine.
 
It's just metal you're painting. Scruff the surface with some sandpaper, primer it, and go by the instructions on the back of the can. In all honesty, it's a computer case, not a car. You could just as well sand it down to scruff it on and throw a couple coats of a decent spray paint on it.
 
i know i'm not looking at a complicated project. but it's my computer. one of my very prized possessions. i just want it to look as nice as possible. i don't want to point at a half cut paint job and say, "yep, i did it myself". you know? just a pride thing...and i'm one who has have things perfect, else it bugs the hell out of me
 
Troncoso said:
i know i'm not looking at a complicated project. but it's my computer. one of my very prized possessions. i just want it to look as nice as possible. i don't want to point at a half cut paint job and say, "yep, i did it myself". you know? just a pride thing...and i'm one who has have things perfect, else it bugs the hell out of me
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What sort of painting equipment do you have available.. or is this going to be a rattle can job?
 
well, i just went out and bought a sander for taking off the paint. i also bought some spray cans with special tips that are kind of like an airbrush but on a can of paint. i also bought some metallic enamel to act as a primer i guess. what else would be advised?
 
Make sure the paints are of the same type. IE enamel or lacquer. If you mix paint types you are going to have a problem.
 
Sand off all the paint you can. If you want, use paint remover to get the rest off. Make absolutely sure that the finished surface is clean and dry. Use a tack rag to get all the remaining specks of sanding material and paint off.

You MUST use primer for metal surfaces before painting any color coats. Otherwise you will be wasting your time.

When priming, use three or four light coats. Let each coat dry 24 hours in a warm, clean, dry, dust free environment not below 68°F/20°C. Then do the same with your coats of paint. Use automotive grade paints. Three or four light even coats with 24 hours drying time between coats... GENTLY sanding with 200 grit paper between coats, and wiping clean to get all the dust off.

When you're done with color coats, it's time for a couple of clear coats. Get one that matches the paint type that you sprayed on (auto grade). Gently sand between each coat with maybe 500 grit paper and wipe to get all the grit off. Do not sand after your final clear coat.

Total time will be maybe 7 to 10 days but it will be worth it.
 
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painting the inside of the case is freakin hard. so many nooks and whatnot. i'm really not sure at this point how to do the inside. all the metal pieces that go inside are a nice metallic color right now, but i don't know if i want to do the actual inside of case the same color or make it red, like parts of the outside will be....most of the outside is black
 
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