What should I use to paint my components black?

[yukichigai]

I recently built a new system a while ago with a black case, mostly because it was cheap than anything else. However, not all of my drives are black and it's kind of annoying looking. On top of that I'd kind of like to do my monitors as well. One is a 22" and I'm not going to return it for a new one (shipping is like $60) and the other one is a tiny little monitor that isn't even made anymore. I know how to paint properly and all that -- 4 years of building sets will do that -- but I need to know what paint I should buy to do it. Any suggestions?

 

[EeyoreX]

For drive bezels and the plastic monitor casing I would go with some black vinyl dye. It dyes the plastic (or something) and is supposed to look much nicer than paint. And you get to keep the same feel and any raised lettering and such. You can buy vinyl dye at most any auto parts store, and probably places like Home Depot etc. GideonTech has a good FAQ/guide for vinyl dye (that is a direct link to the article)

\Dan

 

[beatle]

Dan is right. Vinyl dye is very easy to work with. Sprays like paint, but there's no need to sand or use primer. There's also no need to watch for runs, since it will eventually fix itself. I followed the Gideon Tech guide and the 2 drives I dyed came out perfect. One note of advice is to completely remove any plastic led bezels. Just the slightest bit of dye can cause your led to be too dim to see. I learned that the hard way on my first drive faceplate.

 

[Zepper]

If you want to do paint, try Testor's plastic model paint. they have more shades of black than you can count.
.bh.

 

[sodcha0s]

One note of advice is to completely remove any plastic led bezels. Just the slightest bit of dye can cause your led to be too dim to see

Instead of trying to remove the LED lens, smear a little grease over it with a toothpick. You don't need much, just enough to evenly cover the lens. When you're done dyeing, just wipe it off. Works great.

 

[Chucko]

This stuff works great. Vinyl Dye did wonders for me. I will no longer pay extra for black drives. Went to my local Advance Auto Parts and picked up a can for 4.50 of the flat black plastikote vinyl color and I must say it was easy and it looks great. I am tempted to paint my printer.

 

[Vonkhan]

just painted my drives black with plasti kote

Pics here ... including ones of my ongoing Xaser II mod