Paint vs Vinyl

[You_are_a_cunt]

I've got some usable parts sitting around in bins and I'm planning a for-the-lulz-but-not-really build.

The case I'll be using will be my old Corsair Spec-01, but it's black and doesn't really fit within the theme.

After moving last summer I found myself without space for a paint booth of any description, so I've been looking at alternatives to painting.

 

That are the pros and cons for each: vinyl and paint? (first things that come to mind as a pro to vinyl would be it costing less and it taking significantly less time to get done, not to mention not needing a space to paint)

[Bananasplit_00]

well vinyl can also be a right pain to apply in large sections and its not as permanent as paint

[Hiya!]

Just now, Bananasplit_00 said:

well vinyl can also be a right pain to apply in large sections and its not as permanent as paint

Not only that a cheap vinly will leaves nasty glue when u try to remove it and some of it even damage the case paint.

[You_are_a_cunt]

4 minutes ago, Bananasplit_00 said:

well vinyl can also be a right pain to apply in large sections and its not as permanent as paint

 

2 minutes ago, Hiya! said:

Not only that a cheap vinly will leaves nasty glue when u try to remove it and some of it even damage the case paint.

I found automotive vinyl that I know is fairly high quality (found via people that actually vinyl wrapped their cars instead of pre-painting). Not that hard to wrap (can have someone with experience help me). I suppose it'd be fine on a PC case if it's good enough for a car <__<

[W-L]

13 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

I've got some usable parts sitting around in bins and I'm planning a for-the-lulz-but-not-really build.

The case I'll be using will be my old Corsair Spec-01, but it's black and doesn't really fit within the theme.

After moving last summer I found myself without space for a paint booth of any description, so I've been looking at alternatives to painting.

 

That are the pros and cons for each: vinyl and paint? (first things that come to mind as a pro to vinyl would be it costing less and it taking significantly less time to get done, not to mention not needing a space to paint)

Vinyl revertible if that is of a concern, you do have less color options or effects available though compared to say paint if you want to do something extremely custom. 

[unknownmiscreant]

Vinyl is fairly easy to do if you do it right. I have started doing things in vinyl rather than paint as it takes much less time. I can send you some pictures off stuff i have wrapped if you want.

 

Most vinyl wont stick enough to remove paint, and the glues should be able to be cleaned up fairly easily with some alcohol.

[You_are_a_cunt]

1 minute ago, W-L said:

Vinyl revertible if that is of a concern, you do have less color options or effects available though compared to say paint if you want to do something extremely custom. 

Considering I've reduced some of the case's functionality for my particular needs, I don't see myself being able to actually sell it (window is also pretty scratched up). It is a pretty cheap case (even though it's quite decent), but having mentioned it being revertible, that would be a plus if I ever get bored with it

[You_are_a_cunt]

1 minute ago, unknownmiscreant said:

Vinyl is fairly easy to do if you do it right. I have started doing things in vinyl rather than paint as it takes much less time. I can send you some pictures off stuff i have wrapped if you want.

 

Most vinyl wont stick enough to remove paint, and the glues should be able to be cleaned up fairly easily with some alcohol.

from what I can tell the case is powder coated (would make sense considering the cost). It's been stored pretty badly (fairly humid space) and it hasn't shown any signs of paint starting to chip or rust points.

 

I'd appreciate some advice and things to avoid

[W-L]

3 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

Considering I've reduced some of the case's functionality for my particular needs, I don't see myself being able to actually sell it (window is also pretty scratched up). It is a pretty cheap case (even though it's quite decent), but having mentioned it being revertible, that would be a plus if I ever get bored with it

Theoretically paint could be reverted but I'm pretty sure none of us want to even think about going through that process. 

 

For tips on vinyl wrap this is a very good guide, ideally if you can wrap vinyl using as little to no heat as possible that's the best option. With compound curves and surfaces or sharp bends you will need to warm it up a bit to help it follow contours. 

 

[unknownmiscreant]

24 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

from what I can tell the case is powder coated (would make sense considering the cost). It's been stored pretty badly (fairly humid space) and it hasn't shown any signs of paint starting to chip or rust points.

 

I'd appreciate some advice and things to avoid

Basically watch a few dbrand tutorials re the edges etc and the technique of starting in the middle rolling your thumbs around. I generally cut a section out and stick it to the flattest/easiest surface, then go around trimming the edges and cutting bits out to avoid overlap in the corners, folding over the edges as I go. Make sure to have a heat source (hot hair dryer or very weak heatgun) and use it to make it more moldable. for getting around tight corners etc and sharp edge. Although for sharp edges make sure to crease the vinyl while cold, then heat and rub it on. For wrapping around holes, I generally leave about 5mm from the edge (for thin materials) and then stretch it around and underneath. 

 

If you need to cut it or peel a section off make sure to let it cool first. If the wrap doesn't have air release grooves, you want to stick down one edge, then work your way forward pushing it down a bit at a time by moving your finger back and forth. If you need to cut flush with an edge, run a pair of scissors along it. That gets it perfect if you align the blades and cut in the correct direction. Otherwise run a sharp knife down a groove to avoid scratches. heating and rubbing the edge is a must.

 

Basically have a practice first. 

 

A microfibre cloth for smoothing edges makes a huge difference, although I more frequently use my shirt now. Heating it up first is a good idea, although make sure not to scrudge it around. Theres some pictures of tings I have wrapped below. My laptop was the first thing I did, so not a great result, buts its survived a few months of being thrown in a backpack with no peeling edges. The speakers and sound card are my most recent projects.

 

And unless it is crap quality, powder coat wont come off easily. Stuff I have had powder coated 5 years ago now has held up incredibly well.

 

19 minutes ago, W-L said:

Theoretically paint could be reverted but I'm pretty sure none of us want to even think about going through that process. 

 

For tips on vinyl wrap this is a very good guide, ideally if you can wrap vinyl using as little to no heat as possible that's the best option. With compound curves and surfaces or sharp bends you will need to warm it up a bit to help it follow contours. 

Paint can be reverted, I have done it in the past. Kerosene is a good choice. But I can't recommend it (it F^#&NG sucks actually.) Although make sure you have some nitrile gloves - latex ones dissolve...

edit: Yeah ik the LED strip needs to be stuck on again...

[You_are_a_cunt]

For reference, this would be the case (with a very bad photoshop invert color. sue me, it's a 2 minute thing)

Don't mind the couple black edges that I wasn't bothered to fix.

 

I basically only want to do the exterior in white (and hot pink, if I can find suitable vinyl, that'd just be overlay decals-sort of, or I could do a custom job with a paintbrush). Interior should ideally remain black (still haven't figured out how I'm going to go about doing the front grill or if I'm going to bother with it at all. Considering just plopping vinyl over it and hiding it.

 

The window might get changed to a clear one if I can't get all the scratches to an acceptable level, though I think there are some micro-fractures and deep scratches here and there.

[unknownmiscreant]

I'd personally just paint the grill if you want it black. Don't do vinyl, see pic below for why, it looks worse in person. The rest looks like it'll be easy. Although from my laptop experience, wrap each piece of plastic individually.

 

In terms of wrap to choose, 3M 1080 wrap series is the best. Although I have a cheap as possible roll of carbon wrap which I used for my PSU shroud and laptop. Honestly its not that different to the ViVID stuff I used for the sound card and speakers. So I'd say either go 3m 1080 (for the air grooves) or cheap.

[You_are_a_cunt]

8 minutes ago, unknownmiscreant said:

I'd personally just paint the grill if you want it black. Don't do vinyl, see pic below for why, it looks worse in person. The rest looks like it'll be easy. Although from my laptop experience, wrap each piece of plastic individually.

 

In terms of wrap to choose, 3M 1080 wrap series is the best. Although I have a cheap as possible roll of carbon wrap which I used for my PSU shroud and laptop. Honestly its not that different to the ViVID stuff I used for the sound card and speakers. So I'd say either go 3m 1080 (for the air grooves) or cheap.

 

My SO (who will probably use that PC more than I ever will) suggested I keep the front grill. She was thinking I could cover the actual front of the grill with the white vinyl and use a hobby knife to cut out the "grooves" so the front would have black accents when seen from an angle.

The general theme is white exterior with black interior and hot pink accents (don't ask, not actually my decision. I just do the monkeywrenching and the part buying)

[unknownmiscreant]

1 hour ago, revsilverspine said:

My SO (who will probably use that PC more than I ever will) suggested I keep the front grill. She was thinking I could cover the actual front of the grill with the white vinyl and use a hobby knife to cut out the "grooves" so the front would have black accents when seen from an angle.

The general theme is white exterior with black interior and hot pink accents (don't ask, not actually my decision. I just do the monkeywrenching and the part buying)

Yeah that should work. Use scissors to cut along the edges, as thats the easiest way to get a clean edge. If you go with a knife its a fair bit harder to get it straight and not cut the part below. Getting the blades lined up like so is the best way.