How hard is it to paint my monitor case?

[projecteda]

I have a huge 21in DELL (sony trinitron flat tube) that is a nasty beige color. I dont plan on buying another crt, but I do plan on keeping this one around for as long as I can. my question is how can I go about painting this monitor to a nice shiny black to match my other componets? thanks!

 

[projecteda]

bumpage!

 

[projecteda]

...

 

[MikePanic]

clean it down good w/ rubbing alcohol, tape off the glass, spray bomb away

if you do get a lil paint on the glass, don't worry, a sharp razor will take it right off

 

[Jeff7]

I'd say the best thing to avoid painting the screen itself, or getting paint on the inside would be to completely disassemble it, separating all components from the plastic casing. Of course, this does expose you to high voltage risk from both the circuit board and the CRT itself. There's also the danger of damaging the heavy CRT (where most of the weight of the monitor lies), which, if it implodes, can send lead-laden glass flying everywhere at high speeds. The CRT's neck is especially fragile. But, doing all this will ensure that no paint ever hits the screen, or worse, internal electronics.

I've not ever had a monitor apart for painting, just for repairs, and it's not easy, especially moving around a ~65 pound hunk of easily scratched, somewhat delicate, vacuum-sealed glass. And I don't know if that'd be needed either - but I'd think that masking tape on the picture tube would be 1) a bad idea, and 2) inadequate.

But that's my take, from someone who's never painted a monitor. Though actually, I probably could have, since I had the thing in pieces to find a bad solder joint. Would have had a nice green monitor to match my PC.

 

[MysticX23]

i've got a question about spray painting...how do you make them non sticky? all the spray paints i've used on metals and wood ahve this "sticky" -ness to them?

 

[Hans5849]

Jeff made a good suggestion because you really don't want to get paint into the electronics there.

and mystic, you clean it first? what about primer? what about like a clear coat on top?

 

[SeaFoam]

Just painted mine today, used Krylon Fusion paint, worked great. All I did was take the back of the case off, painted it separate with the base. Then after the rear case was dry I assembled the monitor back together and masked off the screen. Any plastic I masked over I simply cut the masking tape with an xacto knife. Then I covered the vents with newspaper, took the birds off with the xacto, covered the light with a tiny piece of tape and painted the front cover. It turned out perfect, no paint on the screen at all. I wish I would have taken pictures. I'm going to do my other monitor tommorow though.