Easy way to decorate boxes.......

Started by nelson, September 19, 2005, 08:46:22 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

nelson

I have experimented with etching boxes, spray painting, water slide decals, acetate etc.

NONE of them have delivered the results I have wanted. If it wasnt the etchant being messy, smelly and not deep enough, it was the waterslide "bubbling" or the spraypaint "leathering".

I have read ALOT of the techniques described on this forum, thanks people!

I have seen this mentioned so it isnt a new idea, but when I was using sharpie to draw patterns on the enclosure for etch resist. I thought it would be MUCH simpler to just primer and draw the decal on with paint pens, then clear coat.
That way I could make it multi-coloured and "arty".

I came across these markers, primarily marketed towards "taggers".

I have been emailing the person who runs the website and is based here in Glasgow.

He states the markers are basically spray paint in a marker, added bonus of many colours and refillable markers.

I am going to try em out over this weekend, worst case scenario they run under clearcoat.....hoping not....


http://www.monstercolors.com/store03.php


Anyone have any experience using paint pens?
My project site
Winner of Mar 2009 FX-X

KORGULL

The paint pens I use for touching up PCB resist are pretty runny and it is hard to be precise and control the paint flow.
I'm sure there are better ones out there though.
I bought two different brands and they both kinda suck.

I think I saw some pictures posted here where someone used paint pens to decorate their box and it looked good. Could've been markers though - I forget.

Eddie V

The paint pens I have used in the past take some getting use to. It is possible to control how much paint you are getting by varying how hard you press agianst the surface. My advice is be very gentle with them to avoid big drips.

KORGULL

I always seem to get either get too little or too much coming out.

formerMember1

Quotebut when I was using sharpie to draw patterns on the enclosure for etch resist.

i tried this and the enclosure i used(aluminum hammon 1590B copy from smallbear) just burned and smoked blackened smelled and just ate the etch resist pen from mouser off the box.  I probably should have let the etch resist pen dry longer, i only let it dry about, ohh, ... 2minutes.

DavidS

Years ago, I made a Big Muff in a funky cable TV junction box which was cast aluminum when I had the neato idea of using a marker as an etch resist and dipping the whole thing in FeCl. It turned out pretty good, aside from my shitty penmanship. I let the marker (standard sharpie) ink dry for a long while, though, and there was still some "pitting" where the etchant got through the ink.

grs149

I recently completed a build, using paint markers for the labelling and graphics. I figure that, if you go this route, you are wholehartedly embracing the "I made it myself" look, since there is absolutely no chance that your pedal will be mistaken as factory-built. On the other hand, it leaves the door wide open for artistic flare (if you have any) and a truly unique end product.

I bought two different types of marker. The first was solvent-based, smelly, applied very smoothly to the painted box, and dried very fast. The second was water-based, odour-free, applied very poorly to a painted surface, and dried slowly. However, when I applied a clear coat of laquer, it "attacked" the solvent-based lettering a bit, while the water based graphics were unaffected. I still prefer the solvent-based markers, though, and will seek out a less-aggressive clear coat for future projects.

Can anyone suggest a durable clear coat that won't dissolve what's under it?

Greg

formerMember1

i have a box that is already painted and cleared from the factory (LMB slant from mouser)

I have two paint pens, i don't think they are water based.  could i paint the labeling right on the box, and not put a clear coat on,..or do i have to put a clear coat on?

If i have to, i will only put a little bit of a mist on, just to cover the labeling,...

since the box is already cleared, i don't know how the paint pen will work, it might run,..i never used paint pens before,..



It would be a pain to paint a clear over the marker cuz it is freezen hear, and i couldn't leave the box inside cuz it would smell, our garage is so filled with stuff, and workers going in and out that i don't think it will be ok there,..