Favorite paints for case mods?

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Favorite paints for case mods?

Which paint brands have given you the best results in your case mod projects? Gonna be starting with PowerBook mods (Wallstreet, Comet) and may move on to desktops as well. I have a can of Krylon Fusion for the WS plastics, and Krylon's all surface Satin Touch for the rubberized tuxedo portions. Also welcome recommendations for finishing sprays - matte, semi-gloss or gloss clear coats you've used and how well you liked the results with each. I'll post pics once I get the first project well under way.

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The Krylon sounds good. Let m

The Krylon sounds good. Let me know how it turns out on the laptop plastics, and if you use it on the small parts let me know as well. I've tossed around the idea of painting my Dell laptop because the black is just too boring. As far as the rubberized portions, will the paint be fairly difficult to keep intact due to the odd surface?

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MaxTek used Krylon fusion, wi

MaxTek used Krylon fusion, with very impressive results, but it worked like stink for me even with good prep work, and IIRC Dr. Bob wasn't impressed with it either.
I've had great results with regular Krylon, but the best results have been with cheap-o primer and enamel spraypaints.

Great case-painting tutorial:
http://case-mods.linear1.org/case-mod-101-how-to-paint-your-computer-case-part-1/

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Thanks for the link. Any and

Thanks for the link. Any and all tips I can get are certainly welcome.
About using spray enamels: I'm looking for a semi-gloss or satin type finish, and wonder if enamels will give a glossier finish than I'm hoping for...? Have you used any clear coat finishes? How many spray paint mods have you done - with/without primer...appreciable difference in results?

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There are a spraypaint brands

There are a spraypaint brands that come in satin and semi-gloss finishes.

Whether or not to use primer: it helps paint stick to the base surface, and while this is really true for very smooth bases - like plastic models - it's less applicable to more textured surfaces like computer cases. Primer is essensial if you want a very smooth finish, especially if you're going for a mirror finish like in the tutorial.
If you're painting any bare metal, definitely primer, and just as important as primer for bare metal is good surface prep.

If you search through the hacks section here, my Digital Camouflage 7100 was painted without primer, and has held up very well. The case was well sanded - partly to remove old paint - which gave the paint a good tooth to stick to. Inside the case is another matter, and the silvery plastic drive bay has had paint scrape off it due to lack of surface prep and primer - it was a very smooth finish and should have been primed.

One thing I have read, and I think the tutorial mentions this too, is if you use primer, get the same brand as the paint you're using.

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I'm thinking that with my fir

I'm thinking that with my first project, a Wallstreet, I shouldn't need primer - no really smooth surfaces. I bought an entire lower case assembly to begin my project with, so if I mess it up I'm only out about $20 and will have learned something in the process. I'm gonna make sure all pieces are as clean as possible but I wasn't planning on doing any sanding. Do you think it's necessary? Have you used any satin finish spray enamels? Like any brands in particular?

Anybody else out there wanna chime in here?

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Ibook clamshell

hey i am planning on painting my ibook clamshell i am just curious on how i would go about doing this? do i paint the inside of the case? what paint do i use?

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T8 torx

i am so anouyed i went to by a torx t8 and everywhere was shut on a sat now i have to wait till tomorow

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Re: Ibook clamshell

hey i am planning on painting my ibook clamshell i am just curious on how i would go about doing this? do i paint the inside of the case? what paint do i use?

The clamshell iBook is another critter entirely. Disassembly, stripping of paint on inside of plastics *may* be required, but I'm not sure. I know that's the case with Dual USB iBooks, but I haven't done a visual inspection of a clamshell to assess painting possibilities.

I'd suggesst starting another Forum Topic specifically for clamshell ibook paint mods.

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I like Testors Pactra best.

I like Testors Pactra best. I've had disappointing results with Fusion.

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Re: I like Testors Pactra best.

I like Testors Pactra best. I've had disappointing results with Fusion.

Which 'Books have you used it on, and on which ones did you particularly like the results? Where's the best place to find it? Model shops, crafts stores...?

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Just browsed Testor's site -

Just browsed Testor's site - wow! So many options! Looks like all their stuff I'd use for case mods would involve an airbursh setup. Could I get by with one of their bargain kits? Would I be using the acrylics? How many oz. of paint per G3 PowerBook on average? So many questions....and please be gentle with me, I'm still a virgin, y'know...;^)

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Re: I like Testors Pactra best.

I like Testors Pactra best. I've had disappointing results with Fusion.

Testors has the best retail paint products out there for non-professional painters and give a nice gloss finish.

And they make some nice candy colors too which are semi-transparent and can be painted over designs/patterns which will show through. You can make some really cool easy sffects by using underpainted designs.

Your final product will show how much time you took or didn't take sanding the surface so if you are not sure if you've done enough sanding.....do some more.

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Sanding necessary on Wallstreet?

Is sanding of a Wallstreet's plastics needed as prep for spray painting? Has anyone gotten good results on a PowerBook without it? Is making sure all the parts are nice and clean sufficient? Not looking for high gloss - more of a soft, satiny finish.

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