can I spray paint the pcb

[avalon096]

I have an old asus 8500gt 512mb silent magic graphics card...I want to spray paint the pcb black but I can't seem to find plasti dip spray paint in my area so I have bought an "F1 aerosol spray paint matt black"..my question is :

can I spray paint the pcb with it....
If there is components that I need to cover with tape just name it...Thanks.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I wouldn't ... no idea what effect paint solvents might have on the card and the paint layer would inhibit cooling of surface components. Also due to heat thaw cycles, paint may crack and flag off, and rubber may even burn.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

Bearing in mind the good points that JackNaylorPE brings up, some paint is conductive, some paint is not. So, long term effects notwithstanding, short term effects can go from perfectly fine to not working at all, just based on the paint you use.

While the warranty on your old graphics card may be long since expired, I doubt any manufacturer would honor a warranty on a part you have spray painted, so I would not modify parts still under warranty without first accepting the loss of the warranty.

I have both plasti dipped and silicone coated PCBs in the past without any ill effects, but they were not heat sensitive applications. Obviously any electrical connections or heat transfer surfaces need to be masked from any painting or dipping you may perform. I would certainly not coat anything subject to constant high temperatures, as nobody needs to breathe half-melted toxic substances that might be released by standard spray paint being heated, unless you choose to use a plasti dip or high heat paint, both of which tolerate the temperatures they will be subject to in a standard PC application.

Yes, you can paint heat sinks. Yes, cooling efficiency will be decreased on a painted heat sink, so only do this if your heat sink has enough extra capacity that raising it's temps by ~10°C won't put you over any thermal limits.

 

[terry4536]

I agree with Jack above. It isn't a good idea. It depends upon the value that you place on the component. If you don't care if it ruins it or not, I would avoid painting all electrical connectors and fans. I would also note that regular spray paint isn't going adhere to plastic well.

 

[Guest]

Step one, get a thin plastic plate, step two, get a very thin aluminum plate. Stem three, spray the aluminum plate. Step four, cut the plastic and aluminum plate so the length and hight matches the gpu. Put the plastic ontop of the gpu bacplate. Lastly put the aluminum on as well. Leave it there. Voila u got a painted pcb.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

or... buy a back plate

http://www.v1tech.com/gallery/

 

[Guest]

Cough.... Yeah why havent i realized that.....