Stupid painting question...

Looking to give my case a little paint. Have a few questions..

1) What do you use..spray paint? probably..
2) If you use spray paint..where can you get it mixed into custom colors?

Since those VAIOs are so stylish looking I figure why not make my non-crappy computer look the same :D so I was just wondering if it was possible to get custom mixed spray paint, and from where. I am in the USA. Thanks. :)

Edit: been messing around in photoshop, this is an old picture of my case (before my DVD arrived) but still, LOL

http://66.57.155.157/WDImages/bee_case.gif

Custom mix spray paint???? Now you are going OTT :D :D As spray paint is supplied in pressurized containers I wouldn't think that any place would mix you up a couple of tins as the cost to do so would be so expensive you may as well bought a new case!!! :D :D

Basically, sand the case down to the bare metal, make sure the metal is dust & grease free, I used Sugar Soap to make sure of this (available from any hardware store that stocks decorating equipment), then primed it using Plasti-Kote white primer. I then left that for 24 hours to fully dry then rubbed it down flat with very fine grade sandpaper, and sprayed a light coating of the final colour. Left that for approx 15-20 mins as directed on tin, then gave it another 2 coats (using the same time period between applications). Just got to lacquer it now and I am finished on phase 2.

The paint I am using for the finish is standard chrome Auto-Paint (got mine from a car accessory store called Halfords in the UK for £11.98 per litre ($17 USD approx)) which gives it an almost mirror type finish!!!

http://www.damnstudleyboyz.com/case/grillgloss.jpg
http://www.damnstudleyboyz.com/case/sidepaint.jpg

Sanding the case down sounds kind of tedious..is it? How long does it take, usually?

Anyway, I've been in Photoshop running through some possible color schemes. I have the SX840. What colors are you painting yours? Here is what I was thinking:

http://66.57.155.157/WDImages/case1.gif

I am trying to design something inspired by this but with no luck:
http://66.57.155.157/WDImages/sony1.gif

^^ that's one frighteningly integrated computer but looks bad a$$ ^^

Errr I am painting mine SILVER/CHROME as in the pics :D :D

They need a final rub down & top coat then they are ready to be lacquered.

[quote]Originally posted by Darren Wilson:
<strong>Errr I am painting mine SILVER/CHROME as in the pics :D :D </strong><hr></blockquote>

Thought maybe you were not showing some panels, I've seen a lot of mods in which more than 2 colors were used ;)

Just get an airbrush setup then you can have your custom colors and have at it....

Yo Jungleman!!!!
What you wish can be done because we used to be able to do it. But our machine died and we can't get parts. A pint of paint would do 4 12 oz. spray cans and run $6.99 per can plus cost of paint. Since then, we've been selling what is known as a Preval sprayer. It will do up to a pint per power cartridge.
Hope this helps!
Reg

Sowulo: I'd assume that'd be a lot of money..

rfmathis: Do you work in a paint shop or something? What store? I'll see if there are any locations near where I live.

Darren....nice paint job, I'm going to have to take notes! :D

Jungleman...I like the 2nd Photoshop rendition, the 3 colors look pretty good!

Where can I get some of that paint that Alienware uses? The kind that is really glossy and metallic? it doesn't have to be custom colors; i'll take any shade of my color for that glossy look ;)

[quote]Originally posted by JungleMan:
<strong>Where can I get some of that paint that Alienware uses? The kind that is really glossy and metallic? it doesn't have to be custom colors; i'll take any shade of my color for that glossy look ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Try Plasti-Kote spray paint in the yellow tin for your plastic, and you can get a good gloss finish on most paints by using a couple of coats of gloss lacquer.

[quote]Originally posted by JungleMan:
<strong>Where can I get some of that paint that Alienware uses? The kind that is really glossy and metallic? it doesn't have to be custom colors; i'll take any shade of my color for that glossy look ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Also look for spray paints that say "Glossy Finish", with a few coats of that stuff, and a couple coats of clear, you will have a shiny, glossy look. Good Luck!

Here is a link that may interest you, <a href="http://www.pacificcoastpaint.com/paint/custom_filled.htm." target="_blank">http://www.pacificcoastpaint.com/paint/custom_filled.htm.</a> Airbrush is good, too. Try a model car hobby shop, or any good hardware store. It is getting harder to find good hardware shops, but they are out there. Airbrush setup is not expensive, but you need a source of compressed air.

Couple of suggestions , strip the case w/ paint remover rather than sanding , a lot less effort ( follow the instructions , that stuff is NASTY ). There is a paint on the market that a lot of automotive and bike custom shops are using , it has a mettalic content and changes color depending on how the light hits it , really nice. Unfortunately , I don't know the name , but an automotive paint shop should be able to give you info . I do know it is expensive....

The paint that Rkring is referring to is known as Chromalusion by Dupont or Harlequin by PPG. It is VERY expensive; however Plasti-Kote has a version in spray cans that's not quite as high.
Reg