Paint my consoles?

[nateup2]

I was wondering if there is any way to safely and effectively paint any of my consoles. If so, what type of paint and finish? I have an extra Saturn case laying around and a real nice vision for it.

thanks

[ubelaffe]

Take them apart. Clean the parts you'll paint. When dry, use krylon fusion - works on plastics without primer.

read some mod forums and some spray paint how to's.

[racketboy]

I second krylon fusion. Good stuff.
To get a really good finish, get some very fine sandpaper and do some wet sanding with it after your first coat is throughly dried (don't be impatient in between coats -- you WILL regret it). Put on another coat and repeat until you have the finish you are happy with.

The only challenge I see is all those little lines in the case's design. Keeping those from being filled in with paint may be a tricky....

[nateup2]

cool, thanks for the info.
So if I use the right paint, there is minimal danger when painting the drive lids and whatnots? Im just worried about getting debris on sensitive parts after prolonged use - like the cart drive flap, inside the cdrom drive area, and the cdrom lid.

any recommendations for mod forums on spray paint how tos?

Thanks again, Ill post pictures after the work is done.

[racketboy]

cool, thanks for the info.
So if I use the right paint, there is minimal danger when painting the drive lids and whatnots? Im just worried about getting debris on sensitive parts after prolonged use - like the cart drive flap, inside the cdrom drive area, and the cdrom lid.

any recommendations for mod forums on spray paint how tos?

Thanks again, Ill post pictures after the work is done.

You're going to take the case apart first before painting, correct?

[ott0bot]

If you want to make it really nice looking. Get an airbrush. I recomend a Paasche VL or a Paasche H for an all around easy to use brush. You can also get a cheap Badger, but you'll probably end up throwing it throw away. You'll need a compressor or you'll have to use canned air. Wear a mask, breathing in this stuff is horrible for you. You can use enamel model paints, like Testers (thin with solvent) or Arcylic Enamel, like Createx Auto-Air(thin with water just a bit).

First you need to take it apart and sand it with fine grit paper. If you want best adhesetion apply primer, but you don't need to. You'll need some masking materials. Use cardboard or matboard to mask large areas and friskit film (low tack) for details. It's an clear adhesive film you can trace patterns on cut out and stick to the surface. Spray coats of paint very thin and always spray on light colors first. Let dry an sand if you want to add additional coats. Always clear your brush, right away. And flush out when you change colors or they will mix together. When you finished spray with a clear coat. It's easiest to just by Krylon Clear Coat, and spray it outside....it's toxic.

This will be a bit expensive, I'm thinking around 100-150 bucks. But you'll be set up for any future painting jobs. It takes a bit of patience and some skill, but this is how pro's do it.

Check out this site for some decent prices: http://www.bearair.com
They have some starter kits too.

Or this site for some ideas and demo's: http://www.airbrushaction.com

[ubelaffe]

If you're new to painting consoles and things, I would definitely try a controller first. Definitely think everything out - whether you're going to try and preserve logos and whatnot. Taking care to disassemble EVERYTHING the you do not want painted is a must. The masking off areas is important as well.

I'll second racket's suggestion of wet-sanding and not getting in a rush. Patience isn't just a virtue, but also the only way your console won't look like a painted hunk of shit afterwards.

Like I said, I really recommend a controller first. I'd shy away from playstation controllers - they're a bit of a pain. Nintendo nes or snes are usually okay and dreamcast official controllers are pretty easy.

[ott0bot]

If you're new to painting consoles and things, I would definitely try a controller first. Definitely think everything out - whether you're going to try and preserve logos and whatnot. Taking care to disassemble EVERYTHING the you do not want painted is a must. The masking off areas is important as well.

I'll second racket's suggestion of wet-sanding and not getting in a rush. Patience isn't just a virtue, but also the only way your console won't look like a painted hunk of shit afterwards.

Like I said, I really recommend a controller first. I'd shy away from playstation controllers - they're a bit of a pain. Nintendo nes or snes are usually okay and dreamcast official controllers are pretty easy.

Good idea. Heck you can even practive on any smooth plastic. Try some cheap tupper-ware. Works pretty similar really.

[nateup2]

cool, thanks for the info.
So if I use the right paint, there is minimal danger when painting the drive lids and whatnots? Im just worried about getting debris on sensitive parts after prolonged use - like the cart drive flap, inside the cdrom drive area, and the cdrom lid.

any recommendations for mod forums on spray paint how tos?

Thanks again, Ill post pictures after the work is done.

You're going to take the case apart first before painting, correct?

C'mon Racket! Hahahhahah

I actually have a spare Saturn case gutted and chillin... good lookin out though!

[nateup2]

Thanks for all the priceless info, everybody!

I was having a hard time finding much on the topic.

Not sure if I will be able to drop $150 on tools right now, but at some point.

Ok Ok, I just realized why Racket thought I may not be taking it apart. When I was speaking of debris getting on parts I just meant over time from usage - cartridge friction against the cart drive slot, opening and closing the cd rom lid, etc.