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High gloss painting tutorial for case modding

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  • High gloss painting tutorial for case modding

    Hello and welcome to my tutorial. This is more of a how to get the best finish tutorial and not about painting in general. Painting is too complex a subject to get into for this and would make this tutorial much too long.

    Step 1: You must remove the texture on the case that comes from the factory. Usually a case will have a textured surface. Sand that down with 220. I also prefer to use a sanding block to wrap the paper around, this will help keep your flat surfaces flat.



    Your case will now look something like this:

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    You will see scratches from the paper on the surface, but it should still feel flat under your fingers.

    *note: using a wet/dry sandpaper will allow you to use some water while sanding, allowing you to use a single piece of paper for much longer. This sandpaper does not usually cost much more than regular paper.
    Last edited by Necrodead; 11-21-2016, 06:15 AM.
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  • #2
    Step 2: Primer. You will cover the case in primer using an even, back and forth motion. Any primer should work, but a filler primer will allow you to use less coats. You want to make sure the entire panel is coated with primer and there is no metal showing. I recommend at least 2 coats.

    *note: if you don't use filler primer you should go with 400 grit for the first step, but will take longer.

    I personally sand each layer of primer with 600 grit (wet) as I paint outside and there is usually something to get into each layer. A little sanding will remove debris stuck in the paint.

    I should note that if you choose to sand between each coat, you will need to wait for the paint to dry, preferably for a day, before sanding.

    Sandpaper:
    https://www.amazon.ca/Abrasive-Water...+wet+sandpaper

    Find this easy at hardware or automotive store.

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________________

    Step 3: You will have to sand the final layer of primer with 600 grit until it is perfectly flat and smooth again. This should not take long as you should have a flat surface that you painted on.

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    Step 4: Colour coats. Depending on your paint you will need a differing amount of coats. For this case I used Duplicolour Electric Blue Metallic, and it required many coats. I believe it was 8.

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    Last edited by Necrodead; 11-22-2016, 02:33 AM.
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    • #3
      Step 5: Clearcoat. You want a thick even layer of clear. I use Duplicolour clear as it is an automotive finish and can take a high polish, not all paints can.

      You will want as many layers of clear as you can. I can't give you an exact number of coats, but I used about double the amount of clear that I did in colour.


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      Step 6: This is one of the longest jobs you will end up doing. You will need to sand the clear completely flat, without cutting through the clearcoat, using 2000 grit. You will probably need to use wet paper +water for this job to save from burning the finish at this point.

      I don't have any pictures of this step, but you will notice that your finish will get hazy, this is fine. You can use a strong light to pick up where you still have orange peel while sanding.

      Link: https://www.amazon.ca/LJY-Sandpaper-...+wet+sandpaper

      *note: very important you use 2000, anything lower will be too rough. You could use 2500 as well, but it may take a bit longer.

      __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________________

      Step 7: Polishing. You will need some microfiber cloths and a polishing compound. I bought some Nanocut off of amazon, but there are many finishing compounds like Icycut or diamondcut.

      link: https://www.amazon.ca/Mothers-08612-...shing+compound

      I could not find Nanocut for under $40 (I paid 15), so there is a link to a similar product from mothers. You can also probably find this at canukastan rubber, napa, etc.

      Buff the compound onto the clearcoat in small circular motions whenever possible, along edges and things you may not be able to, but this way will take longer.

      Use a clean rag to wipe the compound off. You will probably need to buff more to get all the sanding marks out, it will take a decent amount of buffing, although not nearly as much as the sanding.
      Last edited by Necrodead; 11-22-2016, 02:31 AM.
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      • #4
        Step 8: I couldn't take pictures of the previous steps because I can not focus my camera on such small details. However you will have noticed by looking closely how the polishing is working on your own project.

        After you polish you shouldn't forget to wax. I prefer Mothers carnuba wax+cleaner, I also use it on my car.

        Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Mothers-35550-...ds=mothers+wax

        Again you can find this easy in Canadian tire, along with microfiber cloths in same isle.

        link: https://www.amazon.ca/AmazonBasics-M...rds=microfiber

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        Step 8: did you sand through your clearcoat and damage or remove the colour layer? If you did go back to step 4 and do it again for that part of the case. Did you notice where I did this? Probably not, as if you do it right it shouldn't be noticeable. This is also why you stick to 2000 when sanding the clear.
        Last edited by Necrodead; 11-22-2016, 02:31 AM.
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        • #5
          really great one necro


          these are exactly steps i do

          the only difference is i use 800 grid for sanding the primer but its a personal choice,

          and, if i can add a little thing, if you planto use regular primer instead of filler primer, use 400grid instead of 220 because with regular primer you will see the sanding scratch in primer

          filler primer and 220 save you a lot of work and you will have better result

          did you use dupli-color matching color spray can or paint shop line?

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          • #6
            Great info Necro.
            Blue Dragon CM690 II an i7 - 960 x58 build
            OverKill HTPC - Red Team Build an AMD FX6100 with dual HD 5870's in crossfire.
            Canadian Amateur Modding Competition

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            • #7
              excellent. We can all use this one. Thanks Necro!!
              HAF932 Mods
              C70 Mods

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              • #8
                Originally posted by snef View Post
                really great one necro


                these are exactly steps i do

                the only difference is i use 800 grid for sanding the primer but its a personal choice,

                and, if i can add a little thing, if you planto use regular primer instead of filler primer, use 400grid instead of 220 because with regular primer you will see the sanding scratch in primer

                filler primer and 220 save you a lot of work and you will have better result

                did you use dupli-color matching color spray can or paint shop line?
                Good tips Snef, thanks.

                Also yes, I did use duplicolour colour match spray can.
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                • #9
                  great tutorial, thank you for putting it together.
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                  • #10
                    Nice one necro really is a great tutorial!! cheers man. Ill def come and reference this.
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                    • #11
                      thanks for this Necro, gonna come in handy

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