keyboard/mouse painting...

qwikkqwikk po-town, nh
edited November 2003 in Hardware
thinking about doing this, since I'm going to be painting my case/monitor this weekend. obviously the big problem is wear and tear, it would probably fade or cheap rather easily since it's going to be handled a lot. just wondering if anyone has tried this. be a lot harder to do as well, more intricate pieces than a sheet of metal.

Comments

  • ketoketo Occupied. Or is it preoccupied? Icrontian
    edited November 2003
    Well...spray paint is somewhat on the brittle side after curing, the case I did has small chips in it from *very* incidental contact. On the other hand, I've done lots of drive faces with vinyl dye (spray can just like spray paint) and it works GREAT and doesn't chip. It may be better to do your monitor casing/mouse/keyboard with vinyl dye as it sticks very well to plastic - the problem is going to be finding a colour other than black in vinyl dye. Most automotive supply houses will carry vinyl dye as it's used for dashes and seats.

    I also had one case done in an automotive paint shop, it's WAY better, in terms of both quality and durability, than what I can do myself at home. Again, there's a downside, which is the cost.
  • XenogearedXenogeared
    edited November 2003
    Well...spray paint is somewhat on the brittle side after curing, the case I did has small chips in it from *very* incidental contact.

    that shouldn't happen.... did you sand the case down and use a good primer? because spray paint don't like staying on metal, or rough surfaces.

    on the other note, its not going to be a problem painting the keys or mouse, its just going to be a pain... since painting isnt a once shot deal, you've got to paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, etc. and the keys are pretty small. on top of that, you want your letters and numbers to show too. maybe you can paint it and then find stickers to place on the keys? whatever you do, you dont want the paint to be all blotchy or it will come out bad when you type.
  • ketoketo Occupied. Or is it preoccupied? Icrontian
    edited November 2003
    Yup, sanded VERY well and primed, tho the quality of primer is open to question. In fact, I did both side panels multiple times (get partway or all the way done then strip it to metal and start over) due to "learning curve" on that case. Proper time and effort were (I feel) put into it and I did end up with a very nice, smooth, glossy, though somewhat brittle, finish. Meh, not the end of the world, it's the kids' unit now.
  • XenogearedXenogeared
    edited November 2003
    thats the way to do it, push the borked one on the kids ;) keep an eye out on my teaser thread as i do my next mod.
  • qwikkqwikk po-town, nh
    edited November 2003
    yea, having the letters on the keys show was another obstacle, I'll figure something out before I start, hehe.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2003
    You can buy decals for keyboard keys.
Sign In or Register to comment.