When powdercoating is applied it basically makes a really tough layer over the metal. They can powdercoat in various colors, and even can do airbrush designs under it with special paint designed for it. I can't remember how it is actually done but I believe the powder mix is sprayed on and I know heat is envolved... You'll know if something is powdercoated if you see it...it has a gritty texture and a VERY tough exterior.
Poweder coating is not something you can get at the local hardware store. You need to go somewhere that powder coats appliences or office furnature (like filing cabnets). I think it uses a special sprayer and electrically charges the paint. The object being painted is grounded with a wire. This amkes the paint draw to the object. I think it also is best used if cured with heat. The paint drying booths at work run about 120-140'F. A couple hours in there and your good to go.
I'd just use automotive paint. Much easier to use and much cheaper. Just make sure you clean everything with a light degreaser and sand everything with a fine grit sand paper. Go over it with a tach cloth. Apply 2-3 thin coats with about 30 minutes drying time between coats. Let it cure overnight befor handling. I've also heard it is best to stay away from gloss coats as they show all the defects and fingerprints.
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Get some satin or semi-gloss enamel. You can primer it, but I just give it a quick scuff with a fine 3M pad and wipe it down with degreaser. The object is to have a clean non-glossy surface.
When I get home I'll send you a really cool link from a moding site on how to make it into a mirror finish if you wish. I'm at school right now though. Anyway if you just want to paint it...us a satin finish. Flat is to bland and gloss really will show the imperfections if you don't take a lot of care when painting (this would inlcude sanding everything to make it as flat as possible and priming correctly).
And yes Todd is correct...powdercoating isn't something you can do at home (or would want to). You can find places that do those types of industrial finishes in your phone book yellow pages. Anyway it does look pretty cool. It's more expensive than painting but cheaper than anodizing (and that would only be for an al case anyway). I would just use a good auto paint or something like rustolium (sp?) or krylon... Actually if you had a spray gun avaliable I would say "house of kolor" makes the best metal paints I have ever used...
You know, I've seen some damn long descriptions of where people live, and I was just wondering how freakin' long of a location they actually allow you to write in here. Looks like it's quite a bit. Oh well, if the space is here I'll use it!!! :)
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there are home powder coating kits that can be cured in a typical kitchen oven. never tried it, you probably don't want to either. I doubt it's an easy thing to do.
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Originally posted by Wuzup101: When I get home I'll send you a really cool link from a moding site on how to make it into a mirror finish if you wish. I'm at school right now though. Anyway if you just want to paint it...us a satin finish.
Hey Wuzup101, could you send that link? I would appreciate it!
Try Polomyx if possible. It is a liquid vinyl paint, owned by Zolatone, a multicolor paint. http://www.zolatoneaim.com/index1.html
I have never seen any do this to their case but it would look better than any other case and have some added soundproofing to it.
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