Just started spraypainting my case, got a few questions

[OneOfTheseDays]

I have an Antex SX830 beige case. I'm going to paint this case black. Now, I have already sanded it down with 400 grit sandpaper and applied 2 coats of primer on each piece I'm going to spraypaint. I have a couple questions so far though.

1. Is it ok that I sanded all the parts that I am going to spraypaint? The front bezel doesn't seem to be metal, i think it's plastic, but I sanded the bezel anyways and applied 2 coats of primer on it.

2. I noticed that while sanding, after applying the primer coats, that on the edges the primer would always be stripped completely down to the beige/metal sanded part. Is it ok if i just don't sand that part very hard at all or even not at all?

3. What are some good techniques for getting a nice even coat. Also, is it ok if the primer coats aren't perfectly even or layered? From what i read, you just wanna get the primer on there solidly, doesn't have to be extremely even. When i do my color coats i don't wanna screw up because this took me a while to get where i am right now and i don't wanna redo it all over.

4. I can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the top cover of the case off. It doesnt seem to be screwed in by any real screws, there are these metal type screws with holes in the middle instead. What gives? how can i remove this top panel, or will i just have to spray on top of the case? This is the same for the bottom panel as well.

 

[Blain]

For spraying smallish (case sized), parts I like to connect the negitave lead of a 12V battery charger to the object to be painted. Then connect the positive lead to the spray can. It seems to help the paint "grab" the surface better and helps avoid runs.

Make sure that the paint can (+), doesn't come into contact with the case (-), while the paint fumes are in the air!

>> Try this at your own risk <<

 

[Blain]

BTW, You might read over this article about case modifications at Tom's...
"How To Customize Your PC Case & Achieve Professional Results"

 

[dum]

all Antec cases have the top and bottom panels riveted to the frame. The best way to remove them is to drill out the center of the rivet, do your painting and then either screw the panels back onto the frame or get a rivet gun and redo them.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Check out this older thread on painting plastic. Apparantly vinyl dye, which can be purchased at Pep Boys and other auto stores, does a good job of painting plastic. However, I personally have done the sand-primer-spray on plastic and have gotten good results. The spray paint I used was Rust-Oleum Metallic - not that that really matters.

As for getting a nice even finish on the metal parts, this guide has been pretty popular with the Cases & Cooling forum. I haven't been able to find any sandpaper over 400 grit though. Oh well..

The edges of the panels are the easiest to mess-up/sand to the metal. It's ok if you don't sand those as hard. You just have to be reallly careful on the edges after the paint goes on.

Good luck..

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

powermac, never thought i'd see you responding to one of my threads . That was actually the guide I was going by, but I decided I don't want my case to look all reflective. I want a nice solid deep black finish. I'm gonna instead, just put on some clear coats after i finish with the black coating. One more question though, should i apply anything else after the clear coats, like a rubbing polish or something, to make everything nice and shiny?

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

I don't know how much the polish actually works. When I painted my last rig, I basically followed that guide except I didn't go over 400 grit. My panels are nice and smooth with a deep black color. It's pretty reflective after using Meguiar's #2 (cleaner and wax), but not nearly as refective as the ones pictured in the guide. The #8, which is what he used, probably makes it even more shiney, but I'm sure the high-grit sandpaper and rubbing compound contributed to that as well.

 

[mski003]

what would you guys say the total time it would take to paint an Antec 1080Plus would be???????????



mski

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Originally posted by: mski003
what would you guys say the total time it would take to paint an Antec 1080Plus would be???????????

4 days at the most I would imagine.

Day 1: Sanding, Primer, 1st color coat.
Day 2: Some sanding, 2nd color coat.
Day 3: High grit sanding to finish it off.

Added an extra day incase you want to add a another coat of color (like if you mess up or just want it thicker) or if you want to add a clear coat or something.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Ok, i've just read that clear-coating can actually damage the look of the pc and ruin your work. Do you guys suggest clear coating? I am thinking of just putting on another color coat instead (3 color coats), and then finishing off with high grit sand paper and rubbing compound.