How to Paint a Scratched Laptop Cover
Painting your laptop cover isn't a project that you should enter into lightly. In order to protect the delicate parts of your laptop's inner workings you need to either tape the laptop really well with plastic and low tack tape, or remove the laptop's cover. If you choose to remove the cover, consult with your owner's manual to be sure you do it correctly. Once all of the prep work is done, transforming your boring black or gray laptop into lime green or hot pink is as easy as using a can of spray paint.
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Things You'll Need
- Degreasing cleaner
- Low tack painter's tape
- Spray paint
- Paint thinner
- Cotton swab
Instructions
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1
Prep the laptop for painting. Tape off any areas that you don't wish to paint or take the laptop apart according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use an X-acto knife to trim the tape, getting a perfect and straight line around the keyboard and monitor.
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2
Clean the areas to be painted with a degreasing cleaner. Fingers have a lot of oils that get transferred to your laptop. Any oils left on the surface of the computer will interfere with the paint's finish. Wipe the laptop down with a damp rag to remove the chemicals and allow it to dry completely.
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3
Use fine grit sand paper to sand the laptop lightly. Creating texture on the surface of the laptop will help the paint sink in and stick to the surface. Wipe away any sanding dust with a damp rag.
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4
Lay the laptop face up on a dropcloth. Spray the laptop with spray paint made for plastic. Krylon fusion and Rustoleum for plastic are both good choices for this type of project. Spray the computer in slow, even strokes. Apply the thinnest coat you can manage. Add up to five more thin coats of paint until the laptop is completely coated. Allow each coat to dry to the touch before applying another, usually one hour. Let the laptop dry overnight.
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5
Flip the laptop over and repeat the painting process on the other side. Allow the paint to dry completely.
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6
Slowly remove the tape using an exacto knife to create a clean edge. Evaluate the laptop for any stray paint splatters. Use a cotton swab dipped in paint thinner to carefully remove any imperfections in the paint job. Wait seven days for the paint to fully cure before using the laptop.
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Tips & Warnings
Before removing the tape, or putting the laptop back together, use a flashlight to look for any minor imperfections in the paint job. Buff out the imperfections with fine grit sandpaper and touch up the paint with the spray can.
