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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: phx on Wed, 30 January 2013, 11:13:31

Title: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: phx on Wed, 30 January 2013, 11:13:31
I've been seeing it around on the forums (sandblasting), what exactly is it? Can I sandblast my board cover case to make it look better and possibly get rid of the logo? (QFR).

what about spray painting it? what kind of spray paint is recommended? I have a friend who owns a hardware store so I was thinking of smooching off him to borrow a can and spray paint my QFR cover to black or something.
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 11:14:07
I've been seeing it around on the forums (sandblasting), what exactly is it? Can I sandblast my board cover case to make it look better and possibly get rid of the logo? (QFR).

what about spray painting it? what kind of spray paint is recommended? I have a friend who owns a hardware store so I was thinking of smooching off him to borrow a can and spray paint my QFR cover to black or something.

don't bother, just get an aluminum case.
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: phx on Wed, 30 January 2013, 11:17:00
I've been seeing it around on the forums (sandblasting), what exactly is it? Can I sandblast my board cover case to make it look better and possibly get rid of the logo? (QFR).

what about spray painting it? what kind of spray paint is recommended? I have a friend who owns a hardware store so I was thinking of smooching off him to borrow a can and spray paint my QFR cover to black or something.

don't bother, just get an aluminum case.

too expensive for me >.>
and don't you also need an aluminum plate?
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 11:21:03
I've been seeing it around on the forums (sandblasting), what exactly is it? Can I sandblast my board cover case to make it look better and possibly get rid of the logo? (QFR).

what about spray painting it? what kind of spray paint is recommended? I have a friend who owns a hardware store so I was thinking of smooching off him to borrow a can and spray paint my QFR cover to black or something.

don't bother, just get an aluminum case.

too expensive for me >.>
and don't you also need an aluminum plate?

No, the QFR already has a "steel plate built in."

You just take the inside out, and put it in the aluminum.

$150 for the vortex case, can't go wrong there...

that's nothing in the grand scheme of this hobby.
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: phx on Wed, 30 January 2013, 15:37:57
any good guides out there for spray painting?
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: khaangaaroo on Wed, 30 January 2013, 16:48:06
Sandblasting would require a sandblasting booth, not really a common thing to have around. Some shops specializing in metal/granite finishing or powder coating would have one.

Spray painting without sanding first might not last very long, because the rubber coating on the QFR tends to peel, and so will your paint along with it.

If you're willing to spend the time sanding the case down by hand before painting, or just leaving the bare plastic, I described the process I used a little bit in this thread:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36757.0
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: sleepy916 on Wed, 30 January 2013, 16:52:27
any good guides out there for spray painting?

This thread has some links, even one to mine from overclock.net  :))

I sanded the rubber coating off my QFR, it takes a while to get off though. It is worth it since I hated the logos too.
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 30 January 2013, 18:09:49
You really shouldn't sandblast plastic unless you know what you are doing. Even then, it's risky.

On a keyboard case, just use a sanding block and plastic spray paint.
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: khaangaaroo on Wed, 30 January 2013, 18:21:09
You really shouldn't sandblast plastic unless you know what you are doing. Even then, it's risky.

What are the risks? I've only done it once before while building some projects during college, and it was my first time using a sandblaster...haha.
I'd like to know in case I have to sandblast plastic again one day and don't end up as lucky.
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 January 2013, 19:01:34
You really shouldn't sandblast plastic unless you know what you are doing. Even then, it's risky.

What are the risks? I've only done it once before while building some projects during college, and it was my first time using a sandblaster...haha.
I'd like to know in case I have to sandblast plastic again one day and don't end up as lucky.

it's fine... just make sure to tape under the thin areas so you don't wear them out, or snap them..
Title: Re: a question about sandblasting and spray painting
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 30 January 2013, 21:47:30
You really shouldn't sandblast plastic unless you know what you are doing. Even then, it's risky.

What are the risks? I've only done it once before while building some projects during college, and it was my first time using a sandblaster...haha.
I'd like to know in case I have to sandblast plastic again one day and don't end up as lucky.
This should explain it.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39533.0