Painting PCI Expansion Slot Covers/Brackets

[Belial88]

I'm interested in painting the expansion slot covers (brackets, slots, covers, etc, has a ton of names). I was thinking of blue. Just looking for general opinions on this, what paint to use, and how to do this (ie prep, sanding, etc necessary?).

A bit brighter than what I want there.

Here's my case, it's still being put together and it's heavily modded, still cutting things up so it's not put together yet:

 

[adnank77]

Nice hobby .. It's really bright .. Consider lighter colors ..

What kind of materials do you use for modding ?

 

[Belial88]

Lots of heatshrinkless paracord sleeving of everything (specifically in here it's 'grey', 'white', and 'electric blue'), otherwise most of the modding is a ton of cutting, adding heatsinks to various things that overheat (fan controllers, VRAM VRM, etc).

That's a really old, basic picture of how my build will generally look (the lighting, colors, sleeving, using h110 modded to drilled out front and h60 on the gpu) just to give an idea of the colors and basic idea of the build, it'll look a lot different when it's done.

I'm not sure about painting the slot covers, but I can worry about that later (and just paint one and see if I like it). Meanwhile, I need to know how it's done (sanding? Prepping? Priming?) and what to use (what spray paint exactly? Or enamel paint, etc).

 

[Belial88]

Bump.

 

[jaqie]

I like rustoleum primer-paint, and its a very good idea to rough up any surface before you paint it. Get some hanger wire from a hardware store (used to hang drop celings) and make a stand to hold the slot covers, then spray them. Do this in a well ventilated area, of course.

In a rough service spot where dinging and scratching is more likely, rustoleum hammered paint (besides giving a really neat look) has polymer clusters inside which incidentally act as tougheners for the paint in practice.

 

[Belial88]

Thanks. I'll sand them first with some 600grit and then paint with multiple, light coats.

I'm not sure if I'll like it aesthetically, but i got a few extra slot covers so we'll see. If I like it I might even take apart the slot covers on my GPUs and PCI slot devices and paint them.

 

[2timer]

I've done some very light custom paint jobs on bicycle parts and pc parts. Truth be told, I think a $5 can of Rustoleum/Duplicolor primer and a $5 can of acrylic lacquer is enough. Lacquer is much easier and forgiving to work with than enamel, so if this is your first time, definitely go with lacquer.

I've painted bike parts using sand paper and prep work, and I've painted them without. I honestly just didn't notice much difference between a prepped and a non-prepped surface, but then again I'm an amateur, so I don't spend much time or money on it. Unless you are restoring steel, an antique automobile for example, I question whether the added hassle of prep work is necessary. It doesn't make a whole lot of difference, in my experience, and the surface is generally smooth and nice already.

Just my $0.02

 

[denis280]

You should put a( ZINC) coat after sanding then primer ans finely color.the ZINC is for bare metal and plated chrome.it will prevent from scratch.

 

[Belial88]

Well I don't know how important scratch protection is just for PCI plates. Based on the feedback here I will sand before and between coats with 600grit - not important, but just takes a second.

Seems a bit expensive though, the zinc.

So do I need primer? As I understand (painting an entire house atm...), primer is to help reduce costs, ie primer + 2 coats paint is cheaper than 3-4 coats of paint, and help with sticking (which shouldn't be an issue with multiple coats of cheap paint anyways, right?).

And I couldn't find any spray paint 'lacquer' at lowes, only just enamels.

 

[denis280]

Seems a bit expensive though, the zinc.

Not really.it is $5 dollars CDN.for a small can.and you don't need a big coat.and it will be good for many more project.and yes it is better with a primer.for grip.

 

[Belial88]

any recommendations? So spray zinc, primer, paint.

It seems I'm a bit pigeonholed in what spray paint though, as like there are only ~3-4 blues, and really only one of those blues is what I want (im not sure what I want yet tbh but i have a couple extra slot covers to mess with and i won't know what to use until i just do it). Sure, I could order a specific color online, but I won't know what it looks like until I test it... in the store.. spraying the shelf or a piece of cardboard when no one is looking heheh.

 

[2timer]

any recommendations? So spray zinc, primer, paint.

It seems I'm a bit pigeonholed in what spray paint though, as like there are only ~3-4 blues, and really only one of those blues is what I want (im not sure what I want yet tbh but i have a couple extra slot covers to mess with and i won't know what to use until i just do it). Sure, I could order a specific color online, but I won't know what it looks like until I test it... in the store.. spraying the shelf or a piece of cardboard when no one is looking heheh.

Primer isn't just to reduce costs and add layers, lol. I don't know where you're getting this information. The purpose of primer is to create a surface for the top coat to adhere to. Primer prepares the surface of the metal to make a base for the top coat. The function of the top coat is to look a particular way, not be adhesive. That's why you need primer.

You don't need zinc spray. The purpose of zinc is to "cold galvanize" a steel to prevent oxidation/rusting. Normally, galvanizing metal requires a particular chemical bath, but the zinc spray makes it convenient for DIYers although the "one step" spray isn't nearly as good as the chemical way. But because you are already coating the metal with primer and top coat, there is not reason to use zinc to galvanize it. Zinc primer is for bare metals.

You can still find lacquers at auto parts stores, although the colors are limited. And one final suggestion: why not buy all 3 blue colors? Take them home and spray each one a couple times, then return the two you don't like.

 

[Belial88]

You know, I actually have some warhammer purity seal spray paint. its a clear varnish, that puts a matte/semigllossy protective coat.

As for primer, well yea, if you have better surface adhesion then you need less coats. I didnt know it created a better look too though.

I could buy all 3 blues, but its pretty obvious some of the blues are no go. And itd be easier for the store if i just sprayed there - if someone else hasnt already - then returning items.

Ill buy some rustoleum self etching primer, and then some blue, and use 600grit and give a few passes before and between coats. Thanks for the help. Im not sure about going to an auto store, the selection is already limited at lowes.

Ill be using rustoleum metallic blue. It matches my electric blue paracording dead on, and im pretty sure its the color used on a custom painted corsair fan ring I have (bought it from someone else, he threw in the custom painted ring free, turned out to match my build better than the stock blue ring). I didnt realize it at the time, until i tested it recently at the store.

Of course I might not paint my brackets at all in the end, but i really wont know until i try it on one of my spare brackets or metal bits.

Thanks for the help everyone. On a side note, is this how people paint custom pc stuff? I know cases use powder coating which is super expensive and to do locally at a powder paint place costs... i want to say $40 but im pretty sure its way more than that...