I'm going to purchase a Cooler Master CM690 and I want to paint the inside black or a gunmetal gray. I really don't want to spend too much time on it or spend too much money, so, whats the easiest way to paint it while keeping it clean? I hear i can do it with spray paint but then there's primers which i know nothing about. Can someone tell me whats needed? how long will the paint need to dry for?

I also wanted to do a finish that wasn't exactly flat (like satin on walls). Any help would be appreciated

i dont have much if any experience painting, but if you arent going to put much time into it, then why bother?
painting is somthing that will require some time put in it otherwise it will look like crap.

but, with that said.. i am positive that if you search this forum, ou will find some painting how-to videos and instructions. also, look for MNPCTECH, he has TONs and tons of instruction videos here and on his own site that will cover just about anything you will come across in modding.

but liek i said, if you arent going to spend any time with it, then just buy a couple cans of spray paint and go at it.

to do it right will most likely require a complete strip down of the case. sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, maybe another layer of paint and then more sanding and then finally a gloss coat.

im sure steps can be skipped, and still have a good product.

to say you arent going to put much effort into something but to ask for help for it, most likely wont inspire people to want to put any effort into helping you

In my experience of working on cases, just starting my third case, painting tends to be one of the most work and time intensive parts. To get a really nice finish it takes the steps that TCG_Modder mentioned with progressively finer grit sandpaper. However for the inside of a case you really do not need the great finish and gloss that you would want for the outside so I would suggest the following:
lightly sand the case first
several light coats of primer until the case is coated
some light wet sanding just to make sure you have a nice base but dont break through the primer
several light coats of paint, dont worry about coverage for the first couple coats
if you want a glossy, protected finish inside then some more light wet sanding and clear coat on top of the base color.

just remember you get a much better paint job by using a bunch of light coats of paint as opposed to one or two heavy coats. A light coat will not take long to dry, just a couple minutes between coats is fine. When you are going to sand let the previous coat dry longer, even over night to make sure it is dry.

I would say that for the inside of a case you can probably sand, prime, and paint in just a few days if you are going for a decent finish. If you are not worried too much about the finish then you may be able to do it in one or two days. One final note, always clean the case pieces between cleaning them and sanding them.

Thanks a lot for the tips! I guess i shouldn't have said i wasn't going to take much time on this. I just didn't know what it would take to really get this started. I guess drying wouldn't be a problem for me as I live in 110 degree weather almost every day of the summer (Arizona). I'll look for MNPCTECH as I've heard of him.

So this can all be done with spray paint I assume?

Take apart the case, then do a light primer coat. (for really smooth finishes, sand in between primer coats)

Wait 10-15mins in between light coats (especially for primer) Two maybe three primer light coats should be fine.

After your final primer coat wait 24 hours, give it a nice light sanding for bumps and such, and clean it off with rubbing alcohol.

Once dry give it its first shot of paint. if the paint beads or looks like water & oil, remove any paint you may have started spraying. Then let it dry for a longer time period, once you do start painting coats I recommend at least 10 minutes in between coats, as well as a light sand down, keep it as smooth as possible and it will look very nice in the end. For a semi-gloss look you see on a wall, no heavy sanding is necessary, but I still recommend it.

Remember very light coats go a lot longer way, it doesn't have to cover all the previous metal or paint, it just needs to be thin and light.

yes it can be done with spray paint.....a.k.a. rattlecan

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I used a self etching primer when I painted the inside of mine, didn't wanna sand all the crevices , rivets and such.

Argh! I can't believe no one has mentioned using some MASKING TAPE (or maybe they did and my senile old eyes missed it...

Use masking tape to keep the primers and paints from getting on the outside/side panel portions of the case.

ALSO: Don't forget to make sure that any screw holes are plugged with some small rolled-up self-stick labels or the end of a Q-Tip with vaseline, break the stem near the opposite end and push the stem through the screw hole (like mobo standoff holes). The vaseline will keep the paint/primer from sticking to the Q-tip, and the Q-tip in turn will keep the paint from getting all into the screwhole threads. Why? Because there is the possibility that when you try to install the screws, you can break off a little of the paint AROUND the hole as well... Not really a big issue around mobo standoffs which will likely not be seen, but still...

My $.02

Thanks for the help guys! This sounds easier than I thought. My last question would be what grit sand paper is needed.

Glad I got fast responses, now I just need to find out what color I will do. Black or gunmetal grey...

some 400 600 800 and 1000 are easiest to come by, most auto parts store carry them.

if you don't want to continuously sand and sand and aren't looking for the smoothest finish, just get 400 and 600.

GPN is right though, some masking tape is always nessesary. unless you don't mind overspray.


I painted the interior of my case and then used masking tape for the exterior., but lucaly for me, most of mmy exterior panels and such are removable and/or plastic.

Quote: Originally Posted by s1ugh34d some 400 600 800 and 1000 are easiest to come by, most auto parts store carry them. if you don't want to continuously sand and sand and aren't looking for the smoothest finish, just get 400 and 600. GPN is right though, some masking tape is always nessesary. unless you don't mind overspray. I painted the interior of my case and then used masking tape for the exterior., but lucaly for me, most of mmy exterior panels and such are removable and/or plastic.

Thanks for that, I'll probably use all of them. The masking tape is a good reminder too, I sort of knew that from the start but I know the CM 690 can be stripped all the way down so it shouldn't be a problem.