How do you case modding?

[Necromonger]

Sorry about the stupid title lol

 

So I've really wanted to get into case modding ever since I joined the PC master race back in 2013. Before this, I would watch case modding tutorials on Youtube and even before that I've sort of been into car modding. I've got so many case mod ideas floating in my head that I do not know where to start, so I will just randomly ask.

 

Etching Acrylic Side Panels. Is this a NO NO or can it be possible and if so, is it recommended? If you do not know what that is, it is when you rough up a clear acrylic piece over a stencil/pattern using an abrasive meterial or etching chemical. This gives the acrylic piece a hologram like effect which looks incredible with an LED.

 

SAMPLE

 

Using a similar method as above using a stencil pattern, when it comes to painting a case, is it ideal to primer the surface either through sanding or etching before applying paint or can you just apply the paint on top of the case paint? I know the last part is kind of stupid as it is harder for paint to adhere to a smooth surface compared to a rough surface but I fear that if the stencil pattern tears during the priming process then the whole case is ruined (paint wise). 

 

Would using acrylic paint on cases be smart or dumb? For example, using acrylic paint on a stamped logo to make the logo pop out. 

 

Would a better alternative to painting a case be vinyl wrapping? Like carbon fiber or chrome vinyl wrapping a case.

 

How would you paint steel mesh or plastic mesh? Not the ones for filters, but the ones usually found on front of PC cases. I fear using any sort of liquid or spray paint on steel or plastic mesh would cause the holes in the mesh to bubble/cover up with paint. Would you then try to powder coat instead? Since I just mentioned powder coating and since I know some guys who do powder coating for cars and rims, has anyone tried to powder coat their case or case parts?

[Aytex]

glow in the dark paint?

[Florb]

Go to a laser cutting shop, double etch it on either side, a cut in the middle and finally add under glow?

[Aytex]

Go to a laser cutting shop, double etch it on either side, a cut in the middle and finally add under glow?

that seems really expensive lol

[Florb]

that seems really expensive lol

Laser cutting isn't that expensive, use it all the time for First Robotics

[Sam Z Man]

I joined the PC master race back in 2013.

[Necromonger]

Laser cutting isn't that expensive, use it all the time for First Robotics

 

I don't know anyone that does laser etching near me. I just googled it and the closest place is about 40-50 min away from me.

[Necromonger]

 

I joined the PC master race back in 2013.

 

 

That makes me sad. Would you have liked it if I had said the PC peasant race?

[W-L]

-SNIP-

 

As others have said the acrylic is best faired if it's laser etched it can be done by making a template and roughening the surface with bead blasting.

 

For template painting I highly recommend using stick on stencils to ensure no bleeding under the stencil. For those preping the surface is fairly difficult since it's a stencil surface but if it's an entire panel it must be sanding of scuffed using scotch brite and cleaned before spray painting. 

 

If it's bare metal a self etching primer before applying a top/color coat, same goes for the mesh and it's best to spray paint. If you can afford powder coating it would be even more durable.

[Sam Z Man]

That makes me sad. Would you have liked it if I had said the PC peasant race?

The whole PCMR thing is the biggest shit pile on the planet, honestly just never use the term unless you are maketing a joke about how stupid the PCMR is.

[Necrodead]

Paint and vinyl are both good materials to use for modding your case. Vinyl can be hard to wrap around corners though, as I am finding out in my build, lol. I also do a bit of painting and I don't like acrylic paints, the finish is too hard to get right if you don't have a clean room, it usually a very glossy finish where any imperfections shows. A small peice would be easy to do though, a logo would be great to use acrylic paint on. I actually used nail polish on a logo before for a similar finish on a logo once. Check the link in my sig and you can see both vinyl wrapping and painting on a case.

[Sam Z Man]

Paint and vinyl are both good materials to use for modding your case. Vinyl can be hard to wrap around corners though, as I am finding out in my build, lol.

 

Get a heat gun.

[iTuAnh]

how can u make the details glow up like that??

[W-L]

how can u make the details glow up like that??

 

If you edge light thick scrylic with an engraving in it that will give that effect.

[iTuAnh]

If you edge light thick scrylic with an engraving in it that will give that eff

oh........ so if i have details on my acrylic, i just need a LED cable to light up those details, right?

[W-L]

oh........ so if i have details on my acrylic, i just need a LED cable to light up those details, right?

 

Basically, it needs to be laser etched in the center ideally or on on the surface of the material but won't be as nice.

[iTuAnh]

Basically, it needs to be laser etched in the center ideally or on on the surface of the material but won't be as nice.

i know, thanks

[Necrodead]

Get a heat gun.

I own a heatgun, but the vinyl does not stay in some of the more extreme inner angles on the air 240, and I have to not melt the case at the same time. I'm getting it done, I've just found it to be very time consuming.