Elena Rossi
Painting the inside of your PC case is a great way to brighten up your gaming setup with a splash of colour and a touch of your own personality. It is a time-consuming process that requires a lot of preparation and patience, but the results can be very rewarding. This introduction will guide you through the basics of painting your PC case, from choosing the right paint to achieving a professional finish. We will also cover important safety precautions and provide step-by-step instructions to help you achieve the best results.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting technique | Spray paint |
| Paint type | Spray paint, lacquer spray paint, paint pens |
| Paint finish | Clear coat, matte |
| Paint colour | Chosen colour, blue, pink, white, black, chrome, red |
| Paint preparation | Wash with warm water and detergent, sand, use primer, scuff pad, light fog coat |
| Paint adhesion | Use adhesion promoter to prevent peeling |
| Paint removal | Use paint remover, then wash with detergent and abrasive sponge |
| Paint drying | Dry naturally, dry in summer for a better finish |
| Paint protection | Wear protective clothing, including long clothes, gloves, and goggles |
| Case preparation | Dismantle, mask, drill, cut, bend |
| Case reassembly | Screw and/or rivet |
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What You'll Learn
Dismantling the case
Next, you will need to decide whether your case is held together with screws, rivets, or both. If your case is held together with screws, removing them should be straightforward. If your case is held together with rivets, you will need to drill them out. Start with a 3mm drill bit and gradually increase the bit size until you drill the rivet out of the case. The holes are typically 3mm, 4mm, or 5mm wide.
Once the case is dismantled, you should clean it to remove any fingerprints, stickers, or grime that could affect the paint finish. Use warm water with a dash of washing-up detergent and a sponge, rinsing thoroughly afterward and allowing it to dry naturally.
Before painting, it is essential to fill in any deep scratches and dents, as they are unlikely to be solved by filling them with primer alone. Use 3M glazing putty, along with a spatula or an old flexible plastic card, to smooth the putty into the scratches. Then, use 800-grit sandpaper to finish. Additionally, if your case has existing paint, it is recommended to remove it using low-grit sandpaper (200 or less) and then gradually increase the sandpaper grit until the case is very smooth.
Finally, take photos of the case at each step of the dismantling process to ensure that you know how to reassemble it correctly.
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Preparing the surface
Dismantling the Case
First, you'll need to dismantle the case to access the interior. PC cases are typically held together with screws, rivets, or both. Removing screws is straightforward, but for rivets, you'll need to drill them out using a drill bit that matches the hole size. Take photos at each step to ensure you know how to reassemble the case later.
Cleaning the Surface
The PC case will likely have fingerprints, stickers, or other grime that can affect the paint finish. Use warm water with a mild detergent and a sponge to clean the surfaces. Rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry naturally. Remember to remove any case buttons, ports, and dust filters as these can become clogged with paint and affect their functionality.
Filling and Sanding
If there are deep scratches or dents, fill them with a suitable putty, such as 3M glazing putty, using a spatula or an old flexible plastic card to smooth it out. After it has dried, use sandpaper to sand the filled areas and create a smooth surface. For deep scratches, start with low-grit sandpaper (200 or less) and gradually increase the grit until you achieve a smooth finish.
Surface Preparation Techniques
There are different techniques for preparing the surface for paint adhesion. One method is to use a scuff pad or a fine-grit sandpaper to lightly scuff the surface, creating a rough texture that will help the paint adhere better. You can also apply a light fog coat before spraying to improve paint adhesion. Additionally, ensure that any drilling, cutting, or bending is completed before painting to avoid damaging the finish.
Priming the Surface
Before painting, it is essential to apply a suitable primer to the surface. A self-etching primer is recommended to provide a base for the subsequent paint coats. Ensure the primer is compatible with the type of paint you intend to use.
Taking the time to thoroughly prepare the surface of your PC case will ensure a high-quality and long-lasting paint finish. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gear, including gloves, long clothes, and goggles, to safeguard your health and the quality of your work.
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Choosing a colour
If you're painting your case black, you can add RGB colour accents to the inside of the case. Blue, white, light purple, orange, and red all pair well with black. If you're using a light colour, such as white, you may want to use a satin or semi-gloss paint to achieve a subtle shine.
To achieve a more complex design, you can use stencils or vinyl wrap your case before painting. You can also use a combination of colours or paint only the interior or exterior of your case to achieve a unique look. If you're painting your case yourself, you'll need to buy enough paint to cover the entire surface in one session for the best finish.
Before painting, it's important to clean your PC case thoroughly and remove any stickers or grime that may affect the paint finish. You should also dismantle your case and remove any buttons, ports, and dust filters to prevent them from becoming clogged with paint.
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Spray painting
Preparation:
Firstly, decide on the colour or colours you want for your PC case. If you plan to paint both the interior and exterior, you will need enough paint to cover each panel in a single session for the best finish. Alternatively, you can choose to paint just the interior or exterior, which will require less paint and time.
Next, dismantle your PC case. Cases are usually held together with screws, rivets, or both. Remove the screws, and if there are rivets, drill them out starting with a 3mm drill bit and increasing the size until you drill the rivet out. Take the case apart to the level you want to paint, ensuring that any drilling, cutting, or bending is done before painting to avoid chipping or scratching the paint later.
Surface Preparation:
Clean the surface of the case with a degreaser such as white spirit or ammonia, and dry it thoroughly. If the case has existing paint, use low-grit sandpaper (200 or less) to remove it, gradually increasing the sandpaper grit until the case is very smooth. This step is crucial for the paint to adhere properly.
Priming:
Apply a primer or base layer to the sanded surface. A white, non-glossy primer is a good option, and always ensure you allow the primer to dry before proceeding.
When you are ready to spray paint, ensure you are in a well-ventilated area or wear a respirator mask to protect yourself from fumes. If possible, use a plastic greenhouse to contain the spray paint and prevent insects from landing on the wet surfaces.
Hold the spray can approximately 6" - 8" from the surface of the case and spray from the bottom up, using light, overlapping strokes. Move the can smoothly and steadily from one side of the case to the other to prevent drips. Spray a light coat on the first day and gradually increase the paint coverage over subsequent days.
If you are painting both the interior and exterior, it is recommended to paint the interior first, as it is less visible, so any overspray will not ruin the more visible exterior.
Clear Coat and Finishing:
Once you have finished painting, let the paint cure completely before applying a clear coat. Paint can take several days to cure, and applying a clear coat too early can cause the fumes to build up and crack the paint. You can use either a gloss or matte finish for the clear coat.
After the clear coat has dried, you can further improve the finish by wet sanding with very light pressure to smooth out any imperfections. Finally, buff the surface with a compound finer than the wet sandpaper to make your case shine.
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Reassembling the case
Once the paint is dry, polished, and meets your standards, it's time to reassemble the case. Take care not to press too hard on the paint finish, especially if you've used a standard clear coat. If you've messed up, or the paint hasn't adhered well, you can use paint remover to wipe it clean and try again.
When reassembling, start by putting the panels back into place, securing them with screws and/or rivets. If you had to drill out rivets to disassemble the case, you'll need to re-rivet these sections. Make sure to refer to the photos you took during disassembly to ensure you're putting everything back in the right place.
Reinstall any case buttons, ports, and dust filters that you removed. These parts are usually screwed in place, so it should be straightforward to secure them again. Ensure that you don't over-tighten any screws, as this could strip the threads or damage the paint.
Finally, install your PC components. Be gentle during this process, as you don't want to scratch or scuff the fresh paint job. Once everything is in place, boot up your PC to ensure it's functioning correctly and admire your handiwork!
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Frequently asked questions
First, dismantle the case as much as possible so that you can paint all the edges and insides. Clean the case with warm water and washing-up detergent to remove fingerprints, stickers, and grime. Drill out rivets and remove case buttons, ports, and dust filters to prevent clogging. Fill and sand scratches and dents with putty and sandpaper. Finally, mask the areas you don't want to paint.
You can use spray paint or aerosol paint. Avoid using metallic or metal flake colours, as these require special care. If you're using a lacquer paint, do not apply it over enamel paint, as the lacquer will ruin the paint job.
Start by painting the non-important side first, such as the interior, to get a feel for the paint application. Spray the paint in a well-ventilated area, preferably during the summer, as the paint will dry faster. After painting, let the case dry for at least 48 hours before applying a clear coat for added protection.
If you make a mistake or are unhappy with the paint job, use paint remover to dissolve the paint. Wipe it clean with a kitchen towel and rinse with soapy water. Then, you can start the painting process again.
