Powdercoating outside of case

[kadozer]

Has anyone powdercoated the outside of their aluminum case? Is this a bad idea?

I'm also looking at automotive paint the 3 jobs that do 2-3 layers. Anyone have experience?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

I powder coated the exterior of flow, it can be risky because powdercoat is especially susceptible to orange peel and this cannot be sanded out. - you need a very very good coater to get a flat finish if it is possible at all. I would try to go with an automotive paint if this is available to you in the color you want

[lowfat]

I've powdercoated the exterior on 3 different aluminum cases. Twice were anthracite and one metallic bronze. All were very high gloss and turned out amazing. It was always the interiors that my powdercoaters had issues with.

[hutkikz]

powdercoat is especially susceptible to orange peel and this cannot be sanded out.

I recently discovered this is not true. it can be sanded and polished just like paint. I was sceptical when I first heard of it as I have have dealt with powdercoated parts at work for the last ten yrs. and none of the powdercoaters we use had ever heard of it. but we gave it a try and it works beautifully.

EDIT: BTW harbor freight has a powdercoating gun on sale for $60 till 11/9 cheapest I've ever seen one

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

I recently discovered this is not true. it can be sanded and polished just like paint. I was sceptical when I first heard of it as I have have dealt with powdercoated parts at work for the last ten yrs. and none of the powdercoaters we use had ever heard of it. but we gave it a try and it works beautifully.

EDIT: BTW harbor freight has a powdercoating gun on sale for $60 till 11/9 cheapest I've ever seen one

ORLY? thats great, my powdercoater told me I couldn't sand mine, but it might be worth a try on a part that is less visible

[topdog5050]

Thanks for the share!

[tbone8ty]

ive powdercoated 4 cases and alos powdercoat at my job: automotive and industrial parts

basically if you use the right powder and the right gun its comes out beautiful. ( http://www.tiger-coatings.us/ this is the best powder in the business)

the only problem is the inside of computercases, since the powder is applied with a static charge, hardrive and drivebays cause a "faraday" effect and its hard to make the powder stick in certain areas.

so u basically have to drill out the rivets to powdercoat and separate the pieces.

which isnt to hard and then u can replace them with nice screws which adds the the flare ;-)

good luck and if u have any more questions let me know

[kadozer]

Thanks for all the tips guys!