So, in my competition mod, I'm about to cut a hole to put in a window. I'm pretty new at this, but the cutting part looks simple enough, as long as I can hold onto a straight line.

Thing is, I also might want to paint this rig ... in fact, I need to at least paint the front bezel, so ... might as well get the whole thing uniform color.

So the question: do I paint the case side before I make the cut, or after? If before, seems like I'm wasting a lot of paint, time, and effort if I'm just going to cut it. If after, will the lack of metal make the side panel even more bendy and subject to warping, distortion, etceteras during the sanding process?

I'm already leaning toward painting first, as I might need small cuts from the left-over scrap to work some other aspects of the mod. But I'm looking for ideas.

-godling

Quote: Originally Posted by godling So, in my competition mod, I'm about to cut a hole to put in a window. I'm pretty new at this, but the cutting part looks simple enough, as long as I can hold onto a straight line. Thing is, I also might want to paint this rig ... in fact, I need to at least paint the front bezel, so ... might as well get the whole thing uniform color. So the question: do I paint the case side before I make the cut, or after? If before, seems like I'm wasting a lot of paint, time, and effort if I'm just going to cut it. If after, will the lack of metal make the side panel even more bendy and subject to warping, distortion, etceteras during the sanding process? I'm already leaning toward painting first, as I might need small cuts from the left-over scrap to work some other aspects of the mod. But I'm looking for ideas. -godling

Your definately going to want to paint after. If you paint before you run the chance of ruining your paint job, and youll be able to see your cuts alot easier. If your worried about bending the panel after the cut by sanding it than just lay your panel down on a table, or board to provide stability. Also you dont need to sand off all the old paint, its not as important to get off all the old paint as it is to make scratches in the old paint (i.e. the surface) for the new paint to adhere to. Also remember to use primer, and to take your time. A good paint job is 99% prep and 1% actually painting. A decent paint job can usually take a week just to paint and than another couple of weeks of waiting to rub out your paint job depending on the amount of coats, types of paints, and temperature/humidity.

I know it sounds very very tedious, but in my own opinion a decent paint job could easily sweep the competition. Take your time, be patient.

Good luck bro!

Yes prep work is the most important i used to paint with regular spray paint and it comes out good if you prep it good enough. when i painted my first case i didnt sand anything at all or do any prep work lol after about a month all the paint started falling off but my second case i took alot of time sanding and painting and it came out almost perfect minus the grass i got in it because i didnt have anywhere proper to paint.

here a very good guide on painting cases

Ultimate Case Painting Guide PART 1

ah, good to hear.

Not sure, however, that I'm now going to have to paint as much ... though it would be nice not to have the factory paint. I just realized I can make a new bezel from the extra acrylic I've got for the project, so I might do that. Still need some paint on the inside, however, and it would be sweet to improve over the paint job the factory rig comes in.

Anyway, thanks for all the help.

-godling