Idea for case - Powder Coating

[sarahw]

Has anybody ever powder coated a case? I didn't think this through to much, but it's a thought.

 

[officermartinez]

Yep... I powder coated my Thermaltake Shark Case.. Here are some pictures of it! BTW, IMHO, powder coating looks just as good as paint (if you have someone who is very knowledgeable about powder coating). And.. It's MUCH more durable than Paint!

 

[Qtip42]

I have to differ on your "looks as good as paint" comment. Powdercoat looks good but has orange peel no matter how good the application is. Paint on the other hand can be a perfect reflection or even a matte color if you'd like.

Paint is much more versatile and better looking. The problem with powdercoat is if your case parts are already a tight fit, the powdercoat won't allow things to fit properly because it's so thick.

 

[officermartinez]

I have to differ on your "looks as good as paint" comment. Powdercoat looks good but has orange peel no matter how good the application is. Paint on the other hand can be a perfect reflection or even a matte color if you'd like.

Paint is much more versatile and better looking. The problem with powdercoat is if your case parts are already a tight fit, the powdercoat won't allow things to fit properly because it's so thick.

I never said that powder coating looks better than paint. I said that looks as good as paint, given that you have someone who is a good powder coater. On my case, for example, I have a small "sparkle" effect that is in the powder coat finish. To add to the glossiness of it, it has been clear coated as well to preserve it. I receive TONS of compliments and I am constantly being asked where I had it "painted". When I explain that its not "painted" and that it's actually powder coated, they can't believe it.. One guy actually called me a liar, saying it was paint, thru and thru, and that he wasn't a dummy as he could obviously tell the difference from powder coating and a paint job. He even ranted about how he could see his own reflection (because of my clear coat finish makes it VERY shiny). So.. Back to the story, a GOOOOD powder coat job can look as good as paint. Now to the other side of the coin.. Durability. Obviously, powder coating is VERY durable and much more so, than just paint.

My am an AVID fan of powder coating and my computer case is only one of MANY things that I have powder coated.. I am building an NHRA certified drag car and there are TONS of things that are powder coated on it as well (roll cage, rims, engine bay brace, subframe connectors, intake, valve covers, etc..). I also own 2 motorcycles that are powder coated (frames, subframes, rims, etc..).

So, to the original poster, good topic! I won't ever say powder coating is better than paint. I think each has its time and place. Personally, I like my powder coated case.. And I DONT ever worry about chipping the powder coat finish!

 

[nst6563]

damn..I think that looks really badass. Kudos on that case

I'd like to powdercoat all my cases I get, but I can't afford it and don't know how to do it myself....so it's the OEM paint job or whatever I can do (which ain't much and certainly doesn't impress ).

I honestly didn't know a powdercoat could be glossy

 

[Qtip42]

I never said that powder coating looks better than paint. I said that looks as good as paint, given that you have someone who is a good powder coater. On my case, for example, I have a small "sparkle" effect that is in the powder coat finish. To add to the glossiness of it, it has been clear coated as well to preserve it. I receive TONS of compliments and I am constantly being asked where I had it "painted". When I explain that its not "painted" and that it's actually powder coated, they can't believe it.. One guy actually called me a liar, saying it was paint, thru and thru, and that he wasn't a dummy as he could obviously tell the difference from powder coating and a paint job. He even ranted about how he could see his own reflection (because of my clear coat finish makes it VERY shiny). So.. Back to the story, a GOOOOD powder coat job can look as good as paint. Now to the other side of the coin.. Durability. Obviously, powder coating is VERY durable and much more so, than just paint.

My am an AVID fan of powder coating and my computer case is only one of MANY things that I have powder coated.. I am building an NHRA certified drag car and there are TONS of things that are powder coated on it as well (roll cage, rims, engine bay brace, subframe connectors, intake, valve covers, etc..). I also own 2 motorcycles that are powder coated (frames, subframes, rims, etc..).

So, to the original poster, good topic! I won't ever say powder coating is better than paint. I think each has its time and place. Personally, I like my powder coated case.. And I DONT ever worry about chipping the powder coat finish!

Well ya each has it's own pros/cons. Sorry I interpreted that "as good" comment as "better than" ...but ya as far as frames, rims, etc goes, powdercoating is the ONLY way to go. It looks great on that stuff and is much easier to do than paint. And chrome + transparent powdercoat = awesome

 

[sarahw]

Thanks for the pics + advice officermartinez.
I was powdercoating some things for work and thought this would be good for an upcomming mod. Not the whole case done, but just parts of it like what you have done.
:two thumbs up:

 

[Arcygenical]

I actually LIKE the orange peel effect that can be seen from powdercoating... it looks very industrial IMO.

I'd still use paint simply because of the cost. Powdercoating an entire case is expensive, but you could get away with 2 cans of etching primer, 3 cans of good paint and 2 can of a good clearcoat... or about 50$...