Paint Color Opinion

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Hey

I currently have an Antec 1080AMG Plus - in Metallic Grey and I want to paint a few designs on it.

I'm not sure whether to paint the designs in metallic silver or dark grey

OR if it would look better if I etched/scratched the designs into the case?

Your opinions are greatly appreciated

[dsio]

I think the dark grey would look good. silver is going to look too shiny on the already metalic grey. There are alot of pre-modded cases that come with silver vinyl decoration on the side and it looks kind of cheap. if you use something metalic, use gold, golden leaf is shiny gold vinyl that can be bought in a square and cut to size and shape. very good stuff. the gold on the dark grey would look mad, particularly if you did sharp tribal patterns in it. Paint on cases doesnt work all that well as it doesnt stick to powdercoated steel. or anodised aluminum. vinyl is defitately the way to go. I had a big ugly viking carrying a giant battle hammer in a snow scene airbrushed onto a mates case back in 2002. There is about 10% of the paint left of it.

[surlyjoe]

scratch it in and let it rust

[chrisbard]

Please post some pics after doing the job to see what you got, having the same case if I like that I'll give it a try!

[Search]

dsio - thanks, that is really helpful. Just have a question...when you say 'vinyl', do you mean adhesive vinyl? or some sort of vinyl based paint?

The gold on grey is an excellent idea, but I'm not too sure if it would look that good with the rest of my computer (monitor, speakers & mouse are silver)....

[dsio]

It is the exact same stuff that people use to decorate skylines supras wrxs etc. you can get it from any car accessory vendor. The gold and grey on the case will look good and will look seperate from your monitor etc. Because your case is a relatively decent size, it will not look bad with the monitor etc. it will look like a work of art on its own. just google or ask for goldleaf or goldenleaf. If you are interested, it is shown during application in the show "american chopper" on discovery. its common on chopper tanks and guards. it is vinyl adhesive that i *think* is water cured (not sure) but is permanent. it isnt just stickers that fall off. you cut the square of golden leaf to the right size and shape, apply it, wet it, and then peel the backing wax paper off it from memory.

[dsio]

I can garuntee you this mod has never been done before, especially with goldenleaf, and the more i think about it, the more i think it will look absolutely amazing with the gold/grey contrast.

[Search]

This stuff isn't the same as Vinyl Sheeting, is it?


EDIT: If I can get a hold of this stuff in grey & gold, I'm gonna start straight away....you said it should be available at most car vendors?...any stores in particular?

[dsio]

ok, its called gold leaf. its not extremely cheap but the effect and longevity of it makes up for it.

here is gold leaf boat lettering http://www.seamaidboatlettering.com/goldleaf.html

gold leaf IS REAL GOLD, thought very thin gold. as you know gold is unsanely maleable, and can be hammered to micron thickness. Most of it has texture on it. if you picture it, the fine texture adds alot to it, as pure even gold looks fake, while textured gold leaf vinyl looks like genuine gold (which it is)

here is another picture http://www.speedysigns.com/lettering..._Gold_Leaf.htm
that is zoomed in keep in mind.

more samples of gold leaf (including untextured) http://www.lionet.com/company_info/p...matoptions.htm

here is a description of how it would be used by you
http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/199...ending/gilding
this also includes australian prices for gold leaf and dutch gold leaf (which is fake)
if you can afford it go for gold leaf (maybe $50 worth)
if you cant afford it go for dutch gold leaf, which is fake ($5 for same quantity) but doesnt last as long (3-4years as opposed to forever).

[dsio]

just so you know, DO IT lol. and make sure you take lots and lots of photos while you do it. get some very good images as this kind of unique modding is the kind of thing that can win you lots of $ in the atomic magazine hotbox mods section.

[Search]

Heh, I will do it, don't worry, I just hope it turns out OK....

The grey vinyl is what I'm more worried about, I haven't been able to find any grey vinyl sheets...I don't suppose you would know where I could get them?

[dsio]

I dont know why you would need the grey vinyl, :\ it would be two tone, and the grey would be the case's natural colour. i think just leave it the standard colour and use gold leaf in a tribal kind of pattern all over the sides. the grey vinyl wouldnt add anything since its already the same colour or a colour close enough to the case colour.

[skool h8r]

Gold leaf is very nice, incredibly thin and flimsy but expensive. I saw a teacher with some in a science lesson a few weeks ago, it is beautiful stuff, just don't get it near anything like chlorine (don't know why you would anyway) otherwise it just shrivels up into a ball that isn't any use. Also, vinyls are good, if you've ever been on any game like need for speed underground, you'll know that they have vinyls for customising the cars, this is the same stuff, a warning about it though, if you want to take it off, it may peel off your paint as well if you aren't careful and don't take your time. If you want some etching sheets like they use on windows (frosted glass style), you can get them from etchfx.co.uk , it's called plain-fx and is £7.50 GBP for a sheet that is 60CM wide and 1 metre long (it can be made longer but a metre is enough). You can cut shapes out of it and stick them on and have an etched effect.

HTH