..and I'm feelin' blue.

May 8, 2006 4:31 PM

Where can I get a steady supply of cheap blue computer cases? Alternatively, how do I paint a standard case blue, for cheap?

I'm exploring a business idea, and I need a supply of blue computer cases...for less than $50, and preferably as low-priced as possible. All the ones I've found have either one blue panel (I need it all to be blue), or are filled with LEDs, windows, vents and EL wires and are marketed with "Extreme" in the title. I don't need a gamer case.

As an alternative, I'm willing to buy the really cheap generic beige case and paint it blue...but how? Will normal spray paint work? Do I need special model paint for the plastic? Is there a guide?



Thanks!

posted by bkudria to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

probably not helpful: Spray paint can easily look good and professional, but will scratch off and wear quite easily. So if you need them for an advertising photoshoot or something, it would be good, but if you need them for a public kiosk, it would be bad.
posted by -harlequin- at 5:07 PM on May 8, 2006

Best answer: This is close to your budget as I could see, assuming $50 per case.
posted by Sangre Azul at 6:24 PM on May 8, 2006

Blarg, forgot to post this spray painting guide. I've spray painted the front bezels of floppy drives and the clear coat is essential. But even something as small as a drive bezel shows imperfections -I'm looking at mine now and see a few paint chips (I take the front cover off the case all the time), plus a spot where the paint pooled up a bit. It's only noticeable from a short distance, but I'm sure it would be worse if over a larger surface area.
posted by Sangre Azul at 6:31 PM on May 8, 2006

You could see if there are any shops in your city that would paint the cases for you, perhaps more nicely than you could by yourself. You might have to get them painted in batches in order to keep the cost down.
posted by hattifattener at 8:03 PM on May 8, 2006

Best answer: This one just squeaks under your price limit normally, but right now it's got a $20 rebate making it $30. If you want a bunch of them, consider getting a corporate account rep at your favorite online store - you can just throw arbitrary requests at them and they'll run off and track down stuff for you. Also, while I was Googling, I turned up this epinions link - looks like they have a special category for "Blue Cases".
posted by pocams at 8:21 PM on May 8, 2006

Response by poster: Thanks, guys. It seems painting the cases myself, or getting them painted would be too much of a hassle. These computers are going to businesses for normal use, and having them look bad is not ideal.

Inspired by your efforts, I did some more searches, and found a couple of cases that would work. Thanks!
posted by bkudria at 5:52 PM on May 11, 2006