Black Lian Li cases - scratch?

[k66p526]

This is probably a dumb question but do the black aluminum Lian Li cases scratch? If so, how easily?

I have a Silver PC-60 and am considering a black case for my next PC but have cats and one seems to like the top of the case a lot. Have not noticed any sratches but would think they would show up more on a black case.

I was considering other cases because of the poor air intake through the small holes but finally bought a dremmel and fixed all that.

 

[DongTran]

no, just like the regular vanilla silver whatever lian-li cases, the aluminum is actually that color - it is not painted....it is as susceptible to scratches as any of the other colored lian-li cases.

 

[WeeDRangeR]

High,

I have a black Lian-Li. The case does not scratch easily. If it is scratched deep enough however, the raw aluminum will be visible. I only have one such scratch on my case where I slipped while using a dremel.

Hope that helps.

 

[The0iL]

Yea.. My PC8x series have scratches on them..

 

[k66p526]

WeeDRangeR

If it is scratched deep enough however, the raw aluminum will be visible. I only have one such scratch on my case where I slipped while using a dremel.

By "raw aluminum" do you mean aluminum color (i.e. not black). From DongTran's post

the aluminum is actually that color

it sounds like the aluminum is black.

 

[Skooch]

I have two of the black lian li cases, and they seem pretty resistant to scratches. However, it is possible to scratch through the black to raw aluminum (anodizing is just a different type of coating similar to paint), one of the side panels has a 1/4" long narrow scratch along one of the edges where it contacts another panel on the case, but it's not noticeable with the side on. I do have a tendency to baby stuff like this so the chances of it getting scratched are smaller.

 

[Profyrion]

Originally posted by: Skooch
I have two of the black lian li cases, and they seem pretty resistant to scratches. However, it is possible to scratch through the black to raw aluminum (anodizing is just a different type of coating similar to paint), one of the side panels has a 1/4" long narrow scratch along one of the edges where it contacts another panel on the case, but it's not noticeable with the side on. I do have a tendency to baby stuff like this so the chances of it getting scratched are smaller.

Anodizing is a process which makes the metal (in this case Aluminum) porous so that it will "soak up" a certain color dye. Obviously, if the metal is of reasonable thickness the dye won't penetrate clear through to the center. So you could say that the metal itself is black, but below the surface its still its original color (silver).

Anodizing also hardens the Aluminum a little, making it less susceptible to warping and scratching.

 

[Skooch]

Yeah, I'm pretty familar with the anodizing process from 20 years of playing with BMX and mountain bike parts and such, was just too lazy to go into detail

 

[Profyrion]

Originally posted by: Skooch
Yeah, I'm pretty familar with the anodizing process from 20 years of playing with BMX and mountain bike parts and such, was just too lazy to go into detail

That was actually directed toward k66p526. I was just adding to your post (hence the quote). You probably know more about anodizing than I do.

 

[k66p526]

Thanks to all. Sounds like life, most things are a compromise.

I think the black case looks better, but sounds like any scratches will be more noticeable.

I just took a closer look at the front grill (just been cut out) and the raw aluminum looks lighter/brighter than the rest of the case.

Since I do not plan ohn de-clawing the cats, the silver case sounds like a better choice.

Thanks again,