How to paint your case

**Chris** · 05-05-02, 07:48 PM

Since there are getting to be a few, " How do you paint a case threads " I put together a page, let me know what you think.
Maybe it can become a permanent addition to the Cool Cases forum.
Check it out here, might be slow off my connection, if you all like it maybe it can be made a sticky if I can find a place to host it.

**Immortal** · 05-05-02, 08:07 PM

simple and to the point.. I like it..

there are very few things I like...

**downhill** · 05-05-02, 08:42 PM

Nice job, Chris. Man that door shines!! What do you do about bugs or air borne particles?

**Chris** · 05-05-02, 08:48 PM

No bugs flyin around here yet. And it was a good still day out, only thing I had to worry about today was birds.
Ground was damp too from all the rain, otherwise I would have wet the ground so not to puff up dust as I moved around.
But all went well now I have to gut the case so I can do the top as it is riveted on.
Not doing any real wacked mods.
When I gut the case I'll do a blow hole, might try to mod a Mach 1 lookin scoop for the blow hole.
And I'm thinkin of some wavy checkered flag motife.
Still thinkin though.
Takeing my time

**BigAmp** · 05-05-02, 11:27 PM

now that is what I was looking for, now what is a good way add (cut) a new fan hole? as well as just adding some vent holes?

Any one?

I would realy like to do this before I paint!

**LT-73** · 05-06-02, 02:02 AM

Originally posted by Chris
No bugs flyin around here yet. And it was a good still day out, only thing I had to worry about today was birds.
Ground was damp too from all the rain, otherwise I would have wet the ground so not to puff up dust as I moved around.
But all went well now I have to gut the case so I can do the top as it is riveted on.
Not doing any real wacked mods.
When I gut the case I'll do a blow hole, might try to mod a Mach 1 lookin scoop for the blow hole.
And I'm thinkin of some wavy checkered flag motife.
Still thinkin though.
Takeing my time

Hey Chris, can u make 3 scoops for me? I've got 2 80mm's and the 3rd one is 5" diagonal, not sure what size that is. I got it fom an old IBM server. Hope this isn't takin you outta the way. Lemme know if you can and how much!
Very much appreciated

Oh, btw,great instructions on painting ! The panel looks great ! Love that color too

**LT-73** · 05-06-02, 02:16 AM

Originally posted by BigAmp
now that is what I was looking for, now what is a good way add (cut) a new fan hole? as well as just adding some vent holes?

Any one?

I would realy like to do this before I paint!

Hey BigAmp
I did mine with a tube saw, the ones you use to make holes for the doornobs then with a sanding stone attached to my drill i finished it up. It came out perfect.

**Chris** · 05-06-02, 06:11 AM

Originally posted by LT-73

Hey Chris, can u make 3 scoops for me? I've got 2 80mm's and the 3rd one is 5" diagonal, not sure what size that is. I got it fom an old IBM server. Hope this isn't takin you outta the way. Lemme know if you can and how much!
Very much appreciated
Oh, btw,great instructions on painting ! The panel looks great ! Love that color too

Ive been doing some thinking on the scoops, what might work realgood is the side vents off of a 80's Trans Am. Might get themcheep from a wrecking yard

**Ken** · 05-06-02, 06:35 AM

LianLi sells "scrap aluminum" that they make their cases from, it seems like 8" X 10" or similar for a couple of bucks, do a search...

Easy enough to work with, bend and pop rivet from the botttom.
I have been contemplating this, just haven't had the time...

**LT-73** · 05-06-02, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by Chris

Ive been doing some thinking on the scoops, what might work realgood is the side vents off of a 80's Trans Am. Might get themcheep from a wrecking yard

Woot woot !!!

**RoundEye** · 05-06-02, 01:11 PM

A couple of tips.

Easy-Off oven cleaner will strip the paint off in a heart beat, leaving you will a smooth surface to start with.

1) Easy-Off stinks so do it outside.
2) Don't get it your hands or your skin will peel off a couple of days later due to chemical burns.
3) It's not too good for plastic parts.
4) It will leave very small pits in the case if it's aluminum, so you will have to prime the case, maybe twice. But the primer is a whole lot easier to sand off then the factory paint.

Buy all of your paint at the same time and from the same manufacturer.

Paint varies in color from batch to batch. Buying all of the same brand will keep it from cracking and bubbling due to conflicts in the chemicals.

Put on your first coat lightly, wait about 20 minutes and put on your second coat so thick that it's near the point of running.

Let it dry for 12-24 hours and wet sand it with 1200 grit sandpaper. Don't sand too hard around the edges or you will break through the paint.

Clean the parts, let dry and clear coat.

Let the fist coat of clear coat dry for 24 hours, and sand it with 1200 grit again.

Apply second coat of clear and let it dry for 24 hours.

Sand clear coat with 2000 grit sandpaper. Don't sand anywhere that you won't be able to compound.

At this point you will think your paint job is screwed, it will look like crap. You'll want to send me a letter bomb because I made you screw up you paint after all this hard work.

BUT

If you compound it correctly you will get a case that look deep and will shine so bright that you won't be able to look at it.

Here's an example,