MaximumPC 2005 03

RESPIRATOR

Spray enamels, lacquers, oils, and alkyds are manu-

factured from extremely poisonous materials that

must be used in areas with adequate ventilation

while wearing a properly fitted National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved

paint respirator. Read the warning label on the can.

Seriously. Read it, and follow the instructions.

Before you get started: Safety Precautions

These safety items should be worn when using spray paints or an airbrush. Don’t even think about painting without them.

paintyourcase

SAFETY GLASSES

Common prescription eyewear (unless safety-rated) should not be used as an alternative

to proper protection. Good safety glasses are inexpensive and easy to find, and usually

fit over existing eyewear. You should wear your eye protection when painting, cutting,

grinding, sanding, polishing, and using any type of powered machinery. Safety glasses

inevitably get scratched, so replace them immediately or use a plastic polish such as

Novus to buff out the scratches. Never attempt to clean your safety glasses with solvents.

Using badly scratched or damaged eyewear is equivalent to using nothing at all, and

it can result in serious injuries. Protective eyewear should be Occupational Safety and

Health Administration (OSHA)-certified.

GLOVES

You should use latex rubber or silicon examination-type gloves when working with acrylic

paints and other noncorrosive materials. Keep in mind that some people are allergic to

latex and can have adverse skin reactions. Chemical-resistant gloves must be worn when

using resins, epoxy adhesives, acid, and other harmful chemicals.

This should go without saying, but before you go and

ruin your favorite Moby shirt or low-rider jeans,

make sure you wear clothes and shoes you don’t

care about. If you’re painting outdoors—and

we wholeheartedly recommend it—mild

breezes can cause paint overspray to wash

back over your clothing. You might also want

to consider wearing a hat, lest you end up with a

blue-metal-flake ‘do.

Tools and Materials

u Spray paints (primer, color, and

clear topcoat)

u Rubber sanding block

u Wet/dry sandpaper (2,000-, 1,500-,

1,000-, 600-, 500-, and 400-grit)

u Automotive rubbing compound

u Automotive polishing glaze

u Denatured alcohol

u Painter’s masking tape

u Clean, lint-free cotton terry cloths

u Spray bottle with fresh water

u Plastic bowl containing water and

a few drops of dishwashing soap

u Random orbital sander and

abrasive disc (optional)

Your local hardware or paint store

should have everything you need to

paint your case. If you can’t find a

particular brand or color, try visiting

the Krylon, Plasti-Kote, and Dupli-

Color web sites.

You’ll spend a lot of personal time getting to

know your sanding block, so be sure you get a

good one with a comfortable grip. Also, make

sure you have a wide selection of A-weight

sandpaper, ranging from 600- to 2,000-grit.

A liquid rubbing compound and polishing glaze are used

to create a “wet look” mirror finish. These are what make

people go “oooh” when they see your finished creation.

48 MAXIMUMPC MARCH 2005