There's no hope to retro-brite it?

^I wonder the same. Maybe the OP wants another color, also, not sure.

chris2021 wrote on 2022-03-30, 21:40:

Best done with a can? Brush, sponge, other applicators? Acrylic or enamel?

Hi! This tutorial seems interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JoUG8Oz8Y

AirIntake wrote on 2022-03-30, 22:06:

There's no hope to retro-brite it?

There's no hope to actually get you questions answered on this forum. 😜

But, that's also the first thing I thought of - retrobrite.

If you were to paint something like that - it's not easy.
Probably will have to clean, rough up, foundation, paint, varnish, polish, the works.

Maybe ask this guy, he knows the business:
Re: Periodically Incorrect: a Pentium 4-powered Windows 98 build

Yes I want a different color. Black or black-blue. A really dark blue.

I was hoping I wouldn't have to scratch the case up. This doesn't have to be an uber professional job. Just fun. Always liked the look of the C16. Used to own 1. I have multiple dead/undead c64s and a vic20. Maybe I'll carve up the Vic for phun 😀

Cuttoon wrote on 2022-03-30, 22:12:

AirIntake wrote on 2022-03-30, 22:06:

There's no hope to retro-brite it?

There's no hope to actually get you questions answered on this forum. 😜

Since painting is mostly irreversible I just wanted to make sure retro-brite wasn't an option.

Painting is reversible in many cases. You need to be careful with certain solvents. But ammonia removes most paint, if not all, including 100 year d filler material (as applied to cast iron to hide defects). If you soaked plastic painted with acrylic it might even soften it to which it could be scrubbed off. Or with smidgeon of ammonia, and soap.

AirIntake wrote on 2022-03-30, 22:19:

Since painting is mostly irreversible I just wanted to make sure retro-brite wasn't an option.

Yes, sure, and you were right to do so.

It's just funny how often someone here asks "how to do x" and gets a dozen ideas of "why don't you try y or z instead"? I do that myself all the time.

TBH, I don't consider the C64 to be that holy. It was produced by the millions, not including modern replicas.
So, why not paint one?

I try to answer questions as delivered, apart from thinking too much about the why of the asking. So phuukking annoying 🤣 honestly.

I painted one once and thought it worked out OK, but that was a breadbin. Not sure what you've got there:

https://forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/co … estore.1263561/

I got em all. But I want to paint a breadbin.

I've painted chassis a few times. I'm no expert, but..

- wash/clean the chassis (with water+dish soap maybe), so that no fat films or dirt particles are sticking on the surface
- if the chassis is in a bad condition, anyway, some fine sandpaper can be used to
make the surface more rough, so the paint can stick better
- make sure the temperature in the room is fine.
If it's too cold, the paint won't spread equally over the surface. If it's too hot, it may run all over the surface
- use several thin layers of paint instead one big one.
That way, the paint doesn't come off so easily and cracks in the paint won't happen so soon.
When you're finish with one layer, wait a while before starting the next.
Let it dry a bit, but not completely. 20-30min or so, depends on paint/temp, too
- depending on the surface, it might be good to paint it white first (primer) before using the actual paint
- be careful with the distance. Don't spray from being too close to the object. Say half a meter (1.6 ft/19") or so is ok ?

Anyway, these are just thoughts that come to mind.
I'm just a layman so far, also, I guess.
Maybe the others have words to say about it, too? 😀

Do you have a photo/s?

badmojo wrote on 2022-03-31, 00:41:

I painted one once and thought it worked out OK, but that was a breadbin. Not sure what you've got there:

https://forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/co … estore.1263561/

Interesting to learn that the Commodore Brotkasten was known as the breadbin in the English speaking world.
Would have assumed that was a German thing.
But what else are we supposed to call that thing?

Cuttoon wrote on 2022-03-31, 09:45:

But what else are we supposed to call that thing?

Frank.

Doornkaat wrote on 2022-03-31, 11:36:

Cuttoon wrote on 2022-03-31, 09:45:

But what else are we supposed to call that thing?

Frank.

Well, nothing wrong with traditional German names, is there?

And I think Rowan Atkinson own an BBC Micro Model B called "Bob".

Cuttoon wrote on 2022-03-31, 11:51:

Well, nothing wrong with traditional German names, is there? HorstBox.jpg […]
Show full quote

Doornkaat wrote on 2022-03-31, 11:36:

Cuttoon wrote on 2022-03-31, 09:45:

But what else are we supposed to call that thing?

Frank.

Well, nothing wrong with traditional German names, is there?
HorstBox.jpg

And I think Rowan Atkinson own an BBC Micro Model B called "Bob".

Horstbox.
For webhorsting.

chris2021 wrote on 2022-03-31, 06:37:

Do you have a photo/s?

Hi, yes. I've painted an old C64 just recently and remembered your question.
Pictures attached. My other "works" are stored in cardboard boxes..

PS: The painting was done with cheap acrylic paint here, because I'm used to it.
Automotive paint or another highwr quality paint might be a better choice.
I applied a few thin layers of paint dust essentially. With each layer drying about, um, 20-30min?
A few days later, I did the same with transparent acrylic paint. It acts as a simple protective layer against scratches.
I did the paint job outside in the garden, on an old wooden table, on a sunny day.

Edit: To those of you worrying about "destroying" a C64 case.: It's just paint, please don't worry.
The black colour scheme isn't that bad, also. It's not that historical incorrect (no sacrilege), as it may seem at first.
Some sister models, like C16, were also available in black.
On the bright side, a paint layer also protects the otherwise aged, brittle C64 chassis from further exposure of oxygen.
The black also goes well with the keyboard colour.

That being said, new, fresh C64 chassis are being made again. They use official Commodore forms and good plastic.
So it's no tragedy if some old chassis are getting altered by enthusiasts.
The C64 was mass produced like the original Gameboy, there's no eminent shortage.

Doornkaat wrote on 2022-03-31, 15:28:

Cuttoon wrote on 2022-03-31, 11:51:

Well, nothing wrong with traditional German names, is there? HorstBox.jpg […]
Show full quote

Doornkaat wrote on 2022-03-31, 11:36:

Frank.

Well, nothing wrong with traditional German names, is there?
HorstBox.jpg

And I think Rowan Atkinson own an BBC Micro Model B called "Bob".

Horstbox.
For webhorsting.

Thank you so much for manifesting a pun I cuddled in my mind for so long but always was afraid to utter. 😜

Jo22 wrote on 2023-05-28, 12:13:

Hi, yes. I've painted an old C64 just recently and remembered your question. Pictures attached. My other "works" are stored in c […]
Show full quote

chris2021 wrote on 2022-03-31, 06:37:

Do you have a photo/s?

Hi, yes. I've painted an old C64 just recently and remembered your question.
Pictures attached. My other "works" are stored in cardboard boxes..

PS: The painting was done with cheap acrylic paint here, because I'm used to it.
Automotive paint or another highwr quality paint might be a better choice.
I applied a few thin layers of paint dust essentially. With each layer drying about, um, 20-30min?
A few days later, I did the same with transparent acrylic paint. It acts as a simple protective layer against scratches.
I did the paint job outside in the garden, on an old wooden table, on a sunny day.

Edit: To those of you worrying about "destroying" a C64 case.: It's just paint, please don't worry.
The black colour scheme isn't that bad, also. It's not that historical incorrect (no sacrilege), as it may seem at first.
Some sister models, like C16, were also available in black.
On the bright side, a paint layer also protects the otherwise aged, brittle C64 chassis from further exposure of oxygen.
The black also goes well with the keyboard colour.

That being said, new, fresh C64 chassis are being made again. They use official Commodore forms and good plastic.
So it's no tragedy if some old chassis are getting altered by enthusiasts.
The C64 was mass produced like the original Gameboy, there's no eminent shortage.

Nice job! Much more 1980s in a way.

I like it. Ain't black beautiful?

It just occurred to me most shaker cans are enamels, and for the most part are glossy as all get out. I suppose if I went that route I could ligjtly wet sand to take down the sheen. I have a lot of professional artist paint, and the blacks vary from high gloss to a dullish satin. Maybe use a flat paint and finish with a satin varnish, which will also make it more durable.