how to get existing paint off case!?

[shocksyde]

is the best way to get existing paint off a case to use paint thinner? or what?

shock

[Target]

Thinner is a possible solution, on some paints.

Removal sort of depends on why you want to remove it. If you plan to repaint it, you could simply rough up the paint that is already on it with some light sanding and it would act like a primer for your new paint.

Sand-blasting would also work.

[alondra]

as target said if you are going to repaint, the old paint will be a good primer, unless you are going to repaint with laquer. it will lift enamel. if you really want a bare metal case, remove every thing but the metal case and use paint stripper,rinse it thoroly to remove any stripper sand blasting may ruin it.

[This message has been edited by alondra (edited 11-02-2000).]

[shocksyde]

well what happened is i just bought some spray paint the other day and painted my case as it was, without sanding anything. so the paint chips of and is dented very easily. so i want to take that paint off and try it again. the right way this time http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. i did however buy a primer, but in order for a primer to work it would have to be in contact with metal right? so the best way would be to use thinner or stripper and then "rough up" the original paint that was on there with some sand paper?

oops, also: i detached the face of my cd-rw drive so i could paint it to match my comp. when i painted it, i noticed that the paint with go away from certain areas, and no matter how much i sprayed it, the paint would thin out in that area. why's it doin that? should i have sanded the face of the cdrw to make the paint stick better? (as you can tell, i did absolutely NO research on this before i tried it! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif)

thanks,
shock

[Axel]

On the metal case - use gel-ed paint remover while wearing gloves in a well vented area such as the driveway well away from the car and house.....

on the CD cover - a very high grit sandpaper is the way to go - avoid chemicals and heat guns on plastic as you risk destroying it.

Then go back with a primer which either has the same color as the top coat of paint or a lighter color.

If all else fails - go to an auto store and buy auto-primer - that sticks to both metal and plastic as well as vinyl.... typically comes in grey which is good to prime for just about any top coat color.

Then paint away.....

here s a quote to ponder -

If you don't have time to do it right the first time - do you have the time to do it wrong over and over again???

[shocksyde]

i shall heed that quote from now on, thanks http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. well i got paint stripper and stripped the paint off, should i go ahead and try to get the original white paint off as well? or should i just sand it? half of it came off while stripping the blue paint off. all i know is my case had better look **** good when i'm done!!!!!

shock

[Thud]

As long as we're talking about the metal parts here, I'd guess the same guidelines you'd use to repaint a car would apply: Scuff up what paint you have left with some medium grip sandpaper to give your primer something to adhere to, then put on a coat of primer. If the primer goes on rough, then you can use some *really* fine grit paper to smooth it down, clean it all with a cloth and some paint thinner, then put on your paint.

[Ed_S]

Use good quality paint & primer products!!
Wipe it down with clean tack cloth after any sanding.

Do all spraying in a warm area, make sure the metal is not cold or the paint WILL fail.
Several light coats are better than heavy coats which run.

[shocksyde]

just a question. what if the temp around here isnt exactly warm this time of year? i think it's gonna be 65 or so tomorrow. is that an ok temp? the spray paint says to make sure it's above 50.

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[JayMan]

I would ask my bro for some tips as he is a vehicle spray painter but i wouldn't know the temp conversion from celcius to frarenhiet (how ever ya spell it!). But all of the above tips should be taken note of when painting http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif I am saving up for my new PC at the moment, will be kickass, just trying to think of a wicked design for the case, i seen a pic of a guys case which looked like the side panels were actually painted perspex with some clear sections, he had a blue light inside the case, looked wicked at night! so i may end up with something similar to that. Good luck with your painting!

JayMan

[Ed_S]

At 65 you should be OK, but barely! I take it this is being done outdoors, right? Set it in direct sunlight (if possible) for max heat.

[Richard_Cranium72]

K-Mart and Wal-Mart have a stripper from Orange trees called "Citrus" it's orange in color and STRONG. Read the directions.

Scotchbrite pads work well for scuffing paint and to aid in removal after the stripper has been applied. Green are the coarsest, then brown and white is the least abrasive. I use white to polish some aluminum and chrome.

Several companies make really good paint "Bombs", (spray cans)

The ones you want have a wide "FAN".
This is the pattern that the nozzle sprays, most cans spray a circular pattern.

Check with any auto paint shop for this type paint, usually $6-12 American for good paint.

Spar-Var, Sherwin-Williams and several others make good canned paint.

Wear respiratory protection, your lungs will filter out about a teaspoon of airborne particles per day, no need to overload them.

DrVette

[shocksyde]

well, i repainted my cdrw drive after sanding it and it looks good so far. also i primered my entire case (inside and out), and as soon as the primer dries....navy blue action! lets just say my index finger is sore as a mofo (i'm actually not even using it to type cause it hurts http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. lets hope all this is worth it!

shock

[Axel]

navy blue? - to match what? - or do you just want to "clash"

You could get creative and do white primer with varnish and make it look like feaux wood.....

I'm just kidding - do what you want.....

One other thing to consider - drillng holes in the case for extra venting - or add extra fans..... I've seen that done as well....

[shocksyde]

i considered added holes and fans, but then realized that i had no use for them. i'm an overclocker, but i'm not insane about it, so i dont really get too much heat. my main problem right now is that i knocked my heatsink/fan off my prophet mx. quick question...can i still run my computer with no heatsink on the vid card? (i realize i shouldnt play quake or anything...)

shock

[Richard_Cranium72]

no