[SOLVED] How to paint a computer case and mod it? Corsair Vengence C70

[joshnipshank1998]

So im wanting to paint my computer case, currently it is a military green colour, but im wanting it to be completely white, with some baby blue accents. As well as i will be taking off the side panel where there is a window on the case, and replacing it with a acrylic sheet that is the same size, seeing as the case is made out of metal, would it be a bad idea to attach it by using some magnets? Not very strong ones, just so it holds it in place. Or is that a big "no no"?. But how would i go on with painting it? Id like to use spray paint if possible.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Spray paint is not only ok, it's probably the best option if you don't have access to a professional spray gun and an enclosure. Spray paint is what I use for all case modifications unless I'm spraying plastic parts and then I use a vinyl dye that comes in a spray can. Paint doesn't usually stick really well to plastic parts unless you prep them VERY well first and apply a good quality primer.

For metal parts, you should prep the entire surface using a clean, new, scotch brite pad and/or 400-600 grit sandpaper. Clean everything off well afterwards with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol before applying a good quality primer OR a self etching primer. Self etching primer can be obtained in spray cans as well at most home centers and hardware stores.

As for the acrylic side panel, that's probably not a good idea. A better idea would be to simply ENLARGE the window in the side panel using your acrylic sheet cut to about 1" smaller than the sides of the side panel and then gluing the acrylic in place using an epoxy adhesive.

There are plenty of tutorials on all of this online.


A few examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQqUAaKGRxI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_YY83dGbEI


There are lots more out there too.

 

[joshnipshank1998]

Spray paint is not only ok, it's probably the best option if you don't have access to a professional spray gun and an enclosure. Spray paint is what I use for all case modifications unless I'm spraying plastic parts and then I use a vinyl dye that comes in a spray can. Paint doesn't usually stick really well to plastic parts unless you prep them VERY well first and apply a good quality primer.

For metal parts, you should prep the entire surface using a clean, new, scotch brite pad and/or 400-600 grit sandpaper. Clean everything off well afterwards with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol before applying a good quality primer OR a self etching primer. Self etching primer can be obtained in spray cans as well at most home centers and hardware stores.

As for the acrylic side panel, that's probably not a good idea. A better idea would be to simply ENLARGE the window in the side panel using your acrylic sheet cut to about 1" smaller than the sides of the side panel and then gluing the acrylic in place using an epoxy adhesive.

There are plenty of tutorials on all of this online.


A few examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQqUAaKGRxI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_YY83dGbEI


There are lots more out there too.

I so would enlarge the window of the case, but i really dont want to mess anything up ahah, the case is discontinued and ive had no luck with finding spare parts for the case either. Plus, I am going to switch the left and right panels cause the other side is just a flat panel, then put in some lightning on there, But ill most likely be doing this within the next month or so! Ill post some pics in a fourm to show how it looks when its completed

 

[Darkbreeze]

Just buy one of these and save yourself the headache.

https://mnpctech.com/mnpctech-clear-case-pc-panels/corsair-c70-window-replacement-clear-fan-holes-120mm/corsair-c70-custom-window.html

 

[joshnipshank1998]

This is pretty much how I want it to look in the end, but with a light blue interior

 

[Darkbreeze]

Sorry, that custom panel I linked you to earlier wasn't what I thought it was. I thought it was a full window mod with only about an inch of panel around the window. So, yeah, it can be done though but maybe your way with the magnets might be ok. I've never done one that way but I see a few of them out there that are like that. I personally don't like it because they tend to show TOO MUCH, but if that is what you want, that is what you want and what I think doesn't matter.

I prefer there to be about a 1/2-1" strip of the case panel still remaining and then glue the full acrylic or tempered glass panel in place on the inside using epoxy, but if cutting out the panel is too much or you feel uncomfortable, then do as you planned. Worst case scenario, it doesn't work out and you go back to your old panel.

This guy's turned out looking pretty good, so it might be fine to do it that way. I actually like the way this particular case looks with 100% full side panel.

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/111152-c70-custom-full-panel-window/

 

[joshnipshank1998]

Thanks! Yeah i love it too ahah, Only difference for mine would be a psu shroud and some water cooling on the side where the hard drives are