Painting alum case- need help with product

[Miami]

Hi all,

First time poster and noob to PC modding.

I have an alum case purchased from Extream PC Gear. I want to paint it an automotive, high-gloss black.

I have a 6" ROS, sandpaper (80-320 grit), Alodine and Self-Etching Primer.

Questions:

Need to get high quality aerosal paint. What do you recommend?
Should I use an enamel primer over the self-etching primer?
Probably need to get higher grit paper to bring out that shine, do you know of a good place online?
Where can I get the 3M compound polisher online?
Lastly, are there any good painting tutorials out there for those of us that have to use aerosol cans?
Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Art

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Hi Miami, welcome to the boards. :-)


Hopefully one of the painting guru's will be along to help you on this but i would suggest you edit your profile so we can see where you live as the advice on what to get will be more pertinent then. ;-)

[Marquee]

This is a good work log as far as it comes to painting tutorials. If you use the search I am suire there are a few tutorials on how to paint in the forum also.

If you want high gloss buy at least to 1000- to 2000 grit wet sand paper.

"enamel primer over the self-etching primer" I dont think its a good idea to mix different types of primers but I might be wrong?

I use Duplicolor paints cans. And remember m8 preping is everything m8. Take you time when working.

[Miami]

Thanks.

Updated the profile.

Marquee,

The Self-Etching is an acid primer for metal. I "think" I go over it with an enamel primer followed by enamel paint.

Where do you get your Duplicolor?

[Hal]

i have never had a problem with the self etching primer. most paints i buy either at Pep-boys (or equvilant auto parts store) i have used primer over the self etching and i also have not. i really have not seen a difference. test it first.
google "linear" for a paint guide, or just search a few forums. youll find one in no time.

[Marquee]

Well if self etch is an acid, made to clean metal then use it before the primer and make sure to have it clean and dry before adding the primer.

[Marquee]

Here is anther really good Painting Guide.

http://modthebox.com/paintguide.shtml

This one is as good if not better then the one I gave you before. I buy my paint from a place called Canadian Tire but I doubt you have that in the US so do to the biggest auto part store the small store tend to charge more for paint.

[mnpctech]

Best Tutorial to Case Painting here (ftp://ftp.sybex.com/4360/4360ch08.pdf) (PDF file)


Need to get high quality aerosal paint. What do you recommend?

I always recommend Plastikote Classic Laquer paints (http://www.plastikote.com/plastikote/auto/template.jsp?searchcode=AMP&product=ClassicLacquer) to First timers. They go on easy and dry fast.


Should I use an enamel primer over the self-etching primer?

I recommend SEM Self-Etching primer (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.handsontools.com/image_manager/attributes/image/image_1/9109_2408299.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/%3Fproduct_id%3D9109&h=120&w=109&sz=5&tbnid=ACCSL2Y2DBAJ:&tbnh=83&tbnw=75&hl=en&start=10&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSEM%2Bself%2Betching%26svnum%3D10%26h l%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN). Its applies smooth. Theres no need to wetsand it.

Probably need to get higher grit paper to bring out that shine, do you know of a good place online?

Anyone who carries 3M... 3M has extensive line of grits.. Youre better off going to the local auto supply store like Autozone than buying sand paper online. Otherwise, you can order direct from 3M's website or AutoBodyDepot.net (http://www.autobodydepot.net/scripts/depot.exe?pgm=depotgate.bbx)


Where can I get the 3M compound polisher online?

You mean application pad or rubbing compound?

3M Perfect It III #5933 (http://www.autobodydepot.net/scripts/depot.exe?pgm=itemdet.bbx&id=MMM+5933&custnum=WEB-CUST++&password=&sesid=0903054223)