Why you should consider it: I priced out two 92mm. fans which deliver 38 CFM at 26 dBA. This would set me back approximately $9 USD each plus shipping. Converting to Canadian dollar this sets me back a minimum of $31 CAD. (Plus 7% GST and 7.5% PST plus customs…plus shipping…plus, plus, plus). I would estimate nearly $50 CAD for two 92mm. “chrome” fans. So there has to be a shortcut….a “mod-cut”.
Here we are with another Tech Tip. This Tech Tip came from the hunt for the
chrome fans that are finding their way to mod shops. The Evercool aluminum frame
fans retail in the $8-$15 USD range for 80mm. and $12-$20 USD for the 120mm.
depending where you shop.
I priced out two 92mm. fans which deliver 38 CFM at 26 dBA. This would set
me back approximately $9 USD each plus shipping. Converting to Canadian dollar
this sets me back a minimum of $31 CAD. (Plus 7% GST and 7.5% PST plus customs…plus
shipping…plus, plus, plus). I would estimate nearly $50 CAD for two 92mm.
“chrome” fans.
So there has to be a shortcut….a “mod-cut”.
And indeed there is.
Arm yourself!
It was off to the neighbourhood hardware store for two cans of spraypaint;
primer and what hopefully would be a faux chrome finish. At least the cap gives
the illusion that it “looks” chrome when dry.
Grand total: just over $11 CAD or $7 USD. These two tins probably have enough
paint in them to coat 50 fans so I think I’m ahead of the game.
Next you’ll need your fan. Any fan will do and in this case I have two Sanyo
Denki 92mm. fans that deliver 50 CFM at 36 dBA. They aren’t too loud but do
push 12 more CFM than the Evercool fans. 36 dBA isn’t that bad and it’s a great
to recycle hardware as I accumulate computer parts.
Next I suggest cleaning the fans quite thoroughly. They’ve been sucking or
blowing (as the case may be) for quite some time and have accumulated a bit
of dust. Dust and paint don’t mix so grab a good cleaner.
This is my all-purpose Isopropanol Alcohol. It can be found in any pharmacy
shelf and is useful for cleaning “guck” off plastic without damaging
the plastic itself. It’s the best for cleaning “goop” and thermal
paste off heatsinks and processor cores. It’s great stuff to have around.
Get a few Q-tips or even better, your girfriend’s makeup pads.
These come in packages of 50 or 100 and I go through them faster cleaning parts
than my girlfriend does with her makeup. They can be found at the pharmacy,
department store or pretty well anywhwere. And they are cheap.
Now wipe down the fan and get into all the nooks and crannies. Get between
the blades and don’t be afraid to go over the fan twice. The alcohol evaporates
very fast and leaves no residue; just a nice, clean surface for the primer to
adhere to.
Don’t paint yet!
Most people would begin slapping on paint after this. Perhaps they just used
some household cleaner with a paper towel. That’s a quick way to a botched job.
Look closely and there are a few areas that need to be tidied up first.
Between the blade core and the fan base is a gap. If paint dust gets in there
it could adhere to the brushes and the fan may not work afterwards. I cut electricians
tape into 1/4 inch wide by inch or inch and a half long pieces and taped up
the gap.
Like so.
At the center of the fan is the shaft which also may be “operationally
impeded” by a fresh coat of paint.
So cut a few round bits of tape and stick them there.
Lastly is the label, wire channel and wires. Masking tape works well and cut,
hack or trim to size.
You may want to go over the fan once more with a cotton pad lightly doused
in the Isopropanol Alcohol again. It’s just to remove the oil from your grubby
little fingers after you spent so much time manhandling the fan while preparing
it.
Leave 5 minutes to ensure that the alcohol has evaporated.
Gentlemen (and ladies)…Start Your Paint Cans!
Use primer first. Paint in a well ventilated area. (Outside is best) Paint
in a warm environment…room temperature.
Paint and primer does not need to be applied in one thick coat. You run the
risk of the paint running and definitely getting a poor coat. The trick is to
“mist” or “dust” the object you are painting first. Then
let it dry.
Your first coat may look like it hasn’t covered completely but that’s just
fine. Apply a second coat after the minimum drying time. (With this paint it
was 30 minutes).
You want to primer coat the fan to give a base coat for the other paint to
“stick to”. Just painting the fan without primer will most likely
leave you with a paint job that looks like oil and water. The paint will blotch
and be uneven…perhaps even run….and that means one fan into the garbage.
After the second coat (if necessary) let the fan dry for the recommended time.
This could be anywhere from 1 hour to overnight.
Faux means false.
Take a look at the cap on the right. That looks pretty chrome-like but let
me tell you straight that chrome does not come out of a paint can. What you
are going to get is something that looks like you painted it silver and not
chrome and it will lack the very reflective surface that chrome has. If you
want chrome then get the fans dipped or buy the chrome fans.
This “chrome” paint dries very fast…12 minutes. Again I dusted
the first coat and waited for it to dry. Then I applied a second coat after
waiting the whole 12 minutes.
So how’d we do?
3 coats later and a couple of hours drying time and the fans are done.
They aren’t “chrome” but they are a shiny silver. They don’t have
the reflection that chrome fans do but they are 1/4 of the cost providing you
are like me and had a couple of fans laying about.
I wouldn’t call these a replacement for the chrome Evercool fans but they are
a cheap alternative. If you are able to find smaller paint cans then it gets
even less expensive or share the cost with a few friends. But for around 10
bucks…who cares?
Now we install them.
Now always a good thing comes with a price. It appears that two
92 mm. fans are a wee bit tight in a dual processor rig. They are pretty darn
snug against each other. Never is a mod quite done. lol.
But it sure looks purty under the neon.
Happy moddin’!
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