These are a few pics of some items I tried using DupliColor MetalCast paints on. I did not special prep of the items, other than making sure they were clean. No sanding, priming, nothing. Neither have been sealed with anything, either... Tell me what you think, please. I'm planning to use the bolts (1/4"x20 3/4" long socket heads from Lowes hardware) to hold a side panel window to my case. The fan grill came off the back of the case, I've got a few more to paint up...
they look good, but does the paint stay on well enough to use a allen key to screw those screws in and stuff? doest it stick well?
I was curious about that, and took a screwdriver to it, poking at it. The paint did scrape off, although not in big flakes. The can recommends letting it sit for 5 days if you're doing multiple coats, and don't put the second coat on within an hour, so maybe after another day or two it'll toughen up. And, unfortunately, I don't happen to have a correct size allen key to try testing it out. I've got one size too big, and a few sizes too small...
Actually, the Duplicolor site states you can use Metalcast colors directly over "properly prepared shiny bare metal, faux chrome-like surfaces or METALCAST™ Ground Coat" While, in theory, I probably should have followed the directions and lightly sanded the bolts and fan grill, the finish seems to be staying quite well as is... That, and the AutoZone I bought the paint at, didn't have the ground coat....
not bad at all although you may hafta wire wheel it off the threads as it could gum them up. I'm guessing case tolerances are pretty loose and you have enough torque to just strip the paint when you put them in, but you never know and if its not fully set it could at like a thread locking agent. Incidently real anodizing does increase thickness approx 0.03 in enough so that we have to either take into account the difference and assume it will be even, or not anodize threads << works for a machinist occasionaly
Hadn't thought of using a wire wheel to clear the threads. I was planning on just working the nuts down over the paint, until it was down tight(ish) I'm planning on putting a washer under the bolt head (also painted), then a foam rubber washer between the side panel and the plexi, another foam rubber washer between the plexi and the final metal washer and the nut. The foam to keep vibration noise down, from the plexi possibly rattling against the panel. If I go ahead with my painting jig (2x4 with 1/4" holes drilled for the bolts to sit in) then I believe enough thread will be unpainted to easily allow for the nut (acorn nuts most likely) I may even spring for some chrome bolts and washers from boltdepot.com.... Shiny!
