Powdercoating/Anoziding a MBP

[Astroboy907]

I've been researching some and powder coating seems to be the easiest solution with the least fuss- simply put the powder on, bake the panel, and voila, colored macbook.
That vs anodizing, which would mean stripping the part, cleaning, deox and desmut, and then reanodizing, and dying (all whilst making sure everything stays exactly the same between runs...)

Of course there are trade offs, mostly strength. Anodizing is simply just a much stronger finish than powder coating... But its much harder to do.

I think I have a local guy who might be set up to powder coat (body shop). But I'd probably supply the colors to be used.

What do you thing guys? I have every color under the rainbow to powder coat this thing! I'm thinking *maybe* a neon yellow with black stripes (If the guy can do stripes...). Hit me with suggestions!

 

[Astroboy907]

Bought a new top case on eBay, waiting for it to get here to see how it looks. Now preferably I would need new bottom panels and LCD ones because they are all scratched and dinged up, but I guess I could try powder coating over the scratches. Still need to find a PC guy around me or get the stuff to do it myself...

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Anyone who does custom cars / bikes likely will know someone. Even Sears sold a powder-coat kit, though I'm not sure how well it works.

Are there any "Hacker Spaces" or "Maker Spaces" around you?

 

[Astroboy907]

Are there any "Hacker Spaces" or "Maker Spaces" around you?

Lol I wish! It's a small town though, population is around 5000 (that would explain why)... Though I do have access through CNC mills and a Laser cutter through a local school. I'll ask some of the people who work there if they know anyone. I'll ask the guy at the local bike shop too, he might know someone!

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Most places with CNC Mills / Lasers have people that are interested in powder coating - and/or have people who could build you a powder coating gun. Then you just need a large oven, and for your girlfriend / wife / mom to not be in the house for a few hours. 😀

Speaking of hacker spaces, I gotta go to one right now.

 

[falcn]

These guys anodize apple laptops
https://www.colorware.com/

 

[Astroboy907]

These guys anodize apple laptops
https://www.colorware.com/

I know about colorware, but I think they only do the newest models of computers if you send it in. Also, I doubt they anodize laptops, its too much of a hassle. Plus, some of the colors on their site you cannot anodize (white), and they have solid colors on their website (anything anodized would be metallic). TBH I think they only do a paint job and top coat.

If I was buying new I would think of colorware but its 5 yrs too late now 😀

 

[Astroboy907]

So time for the question (since I am pretty close to doing this, another 2 weeks maybe?).

Would this macbook pro be more valuable because it was powdercoated (I'm thinking slate grey with some possible neon yellow highlights), or would it degrade the value of the computer?

 

[Count Blah]

So time for the question (since I am pretty close to doing this, another 2 weeks maybe?).

Would this macbook pro be more valuable because it was powdercoated (I'm thinking slate grey with some possible neon yellow highlights), or would it degrade the value of the computer?

Much like anything else. You might find someone who is blown away with what has been done and "has to have it". But I'd think that the majority would look at it and think "What exactly was done, and is it safe for the computer." Given that, I'd think it would hurt the overall value for the majority of potential buyers - IMHO.

 

[Astroboy907]

Some more updates: Rethinking entire deal due to cost/potential resale issues as well as a problem that may occur when powdercoating. I was told by a local powdercoat guy that if the parts had plastic on them the plastic would simply warp/melt off at high heats (up to 400˚ F). Some of the panels (top case, bottom case), have plastic adhered to them to keep the logic board from shorting. Wondering if the plastic would stand up to the heat or could be removed somehow....

 

[Thedweb]

The 411

Astroboy,

I worked as a tech with Alchaemy in LA. They color anodize macs, so I can tell you the 1's and 2's of what you're trying to get done and how to go about it.

First I'd shy away from anodizing, though it's the better process. It's a lot trickier and dangerous than some may think. Government regulations which make it's illegal to do at home without a permit aside...because who cares right? There's a high probability you'll destroy the system. Apple Computers are already anodized so you'll need a specific bath to strip that off. That bath is also made of pretty nasty chemicals. After that....Prep, a good job is always in the prep. Then you'll need a pro set up because Apple's aluminum is a mix blend. To get an even finish across the various properties you'll have to know what you're doing, then getting the coloring right....well lol. It's just not something that I would recommend if you don't know what you're doing. It's not like anodizing a paintball gun. It takes a science to get it right. You have to know the exact acid level and electrical current for the specific size for the specific proprieties of the aluminum piece. Then theirs sealing, and what not. Mixing sulfuric acid and electrical currents may not be a good idea if you don't know what you're doing. There's a lot of things that can go wrong. From explosive to toxic fumes. If you do it, do it in a garage well ventilated.........with a professional! Even with a pro at anodizing doing to an Apple system isn't the same as anodizing standard metal, you really have to mimic the specific anodizing procedure Apple uses.

Powder-coating on the other hand is a simpler process and can be done at home with mixed results. Colorware doesn't powdercoat, they liquid paint. It's a different process. Powder-coating isn't as clean as anodizing. It gives it a thick layer as opposed to anodizing which eats into the existing aluminum. Powder coating is less durable, can chip, and scrape where anodizing can not. whether or not you can powder coat the system also depends on the model MacBook you're talking about doing. Powder coating will "fill-in" the small holes for your speakers and microphones, so if you're rocking a 15" with speakers on the side of the keyboard, you wouldn't go powder-coating. Late models which have plastic throughout the body itself is a No! The shop you spoke to was right.. But ask them if they have "Low-Temp" powder. It may cost you twice as much, but it wont damage the plastic, and any good PC shop should have some instock...depending on the color you want. Go with the shop. Powder coating takes a bit of know how as well. Both process involve working with electrical currents, but powder coating is far safer. If I were you, I'd go with powdercoating. Worse thing that can happen is you'll ruin your system, not to dangerous to you as a person if you use common sense, are mindful of the voltage, don't do it at home and have the appropriate safety gear. Like all good paint jobs you'll need a clean room.

As for resell value..something is only worth what someones willing to pay for it. If you do a sick job, with a sick color....it could very well go up.

The safest and cheapest way is liquid paint, like colorware does, but you really have to know what you're doing if you're going to paint aluminum. You'll still need to get the ano off the macbook, and get the surface etched....SMH. PM me if you get hung up. I've heard of people straight painting over Apples ano, which if you prep it right might work.. I've never seen it but Airliners ano aluminum before they liquid paint. The ano provides adhesion for the paint. But I believe thats Phos ano not Sulf...could be wrong.

Try which ever solution fits your budget. If you don't like the result you may just end up going with the pros. Colorware for liquid paint or Alchaemy for anodizing. If you're dead set on powder-coating there's a shop in Vegas I believe that powdercoats Macs. Let me look for their info and post back. ........Or the best, easiest, safest and most cost effect measure of getting your mac a good color...A nice hard case from your local Apple store 🙂 They've got loads of colors and a rather nice looking leather one last time I was in there.

 

[Astroboy907]

Government regulations which make it's illegal to do at home without a permit aside...because who cares right?

What?? That I did not know about.... what's the permit??

It's not like anodizing a paintball gun. It takes a science to get it right. You have to know the exact acid level and electrical current for the specific size for the specific proprieties of the aluminum piece. Then theirs sealing, and what not.

Yeah. Ouch. Why anodizing is currently off my list!

Powder-coating on the other hand is a simpler process and can be done at home with mixed results. Colorware doesn't powdercoat, they liquid paint. It's a different process. Powder-coating isn't as clean as anodizing. It gives it a thick layer as opposed to anodizing which eats into the existing aluminum. Powder coating is less durable, can chip, and scrape where anodizing can not. whether or not you can powder coat the system also depends on the model MacBook you're talking about doing. Powder coating will "fill-in" the small holes for your speakers and microphones, so if you're rocking a 15" with speakers on the side of the keyboard, you wouldn't go powder-coating.

Thanks for the info. I am/was trying to get a 15" PC'ed. Guess the speaker grilles would fill with powder. I thought the powder was less grainy then that but I guess you are the expert! 😀

Late models which have plastic throughout the body itself is a No! The shop you spoke to was right..

What models are you talking about? The plastic in mine is the stuff around the logic board, like in this pic.

(Pic taken from eBay)

But ask them if they have "Low-Temp" powder. It may cost you twice as much, but it wont damage the plastic, and any good PC shop should have some instock...depending on the color you want. Go with the shop. Powder coating takes a bit of know how as well. Both process involve working with electrical currents, but powder coating is far safer. If I were you, I'd go with powdercoating. Worse thing that can happen is you'll ruin your system, not to dangerous to you as a person if you use common sense, are mindful of the voltage, don't do it at home and have the appropriate safety gear. Like all good paint jobs you'll need a clean room.

The thing is, its already costing about half of what my computer is currently worth to powdercoat. 🙁 I think the project may be at an end....

The safest and cheapest way is liquid paint, like colorware does, but you really have to know what you're doing if you're going to paint aluminum. You'll still need to get the ano off the macbook, and get the surface etched....SMH. PM me if you get hung up. I've heard of people straight painting over Apples ano, which if you prep it right might work.. I've never seen it but Airliners ano aluminum before they liquid paint. The ano provides adhesion for the paint. But I believe thats Phos ano not Sulf...could be wrong.

I thought that is what colorware does, paints straight over apples ano. Not 100% sure though, but I bet it could be done. Too bad I like the metallic look of powdercoating and anodizing...

Try which ever solution fits your budget. If you don't like the result you may just end up going with the pros. Colorware for liquid paint or Alchaemy for anodizing. If you're dead set on powder-coating there's a shop in Vegas I believe that powdercoats Macs. Let me look for their info and post back. ........Or the best, easiest, safest and most cost effect measure of getting your mac a good color...A nice hard case from your local Apple store 🙂 They've got loads of colors and a rather nice looking leather one last time I was in there.

Out of curiosity, how much do those places cost? I was trying to do it on the cheap but since it looks out of my league, I might go with the pros. Maybe if I get a new computer and can justify spending $200+ on coloring. 😀

 

[Thedweb]

411

Hey Astroboy,

Yeah I forget the govt. regulation number but the issue with anodizing at home is waste management. The various acids used in the process are toxic when mixed. So if for some reason someone was foolish enough to dump a batch down their sink or sewer, it could contaminate the plumbing for a block.. That's a big part of the regulations.


That looks like an older 15 inch model which maybe an issue. If you decide to go with the pros make sure they'll do that model. Those models don't just use aluminum. Look at those two hooks in the photo. Those are stainless steel not aluminum. If you tried to anodize that you'll get a horrible bleed effect around those two areas. You have to remove it, ano, then weld it back on. You also have to remove all that plastic stuff. You don't want to contaminate someones dye batch with debris. If it even survives the acid prep. And if you tried to powder-coat, you'd have issues with the plastic parts, and reassembly. The powder would make those hinges thicker, and the small wholes narrower. Sometimes too narrow for the small mac screws to go through. It has to be a very light and even coat.

If you like the metallic look, you need to anodize. Powdercoating does not have a metallic look. It has a high gloss or flat finish. But with powdercoating you can get a greater variety of colors (candies). Colorware does liquid not powder, same end product just different ways of going about it. Alchaemy does ano. You can theoretically paint straight over the ano.....but Apple has an amazing ano process (with the exclusion of the latest iPhone 5 POS job..very sad), so adhesion may be issue. I would suggest an high quality clear coat to seal it.

You can check their various prices for the various systems and services at their websites. Colorware.com, Alchaemy.com, eBay.com(for cases/skins)

Again, the most convenient option maybe a case. You can change up the color when ever you want 🙂 . I've also seen some really impressive skins from China.

 

[Astroboy907]

Yeah I forget the govt. regulation number but the issue with anodizing at home is waste management. The various acids used in the process are toxic when mixed. So if for some reason someone was foolish enough to dump a batch down their sink or sewer, it could contaminate the plumbing for a block.. That's a big part of the regulations.

Good thing I live in the country! Honestly, only tried it a couple times, but I found it to be way too time consuming. It's one of those hobbies you have to spend weeks just getting it perfect. I've already got 6 of those hobbies 😀 And when I couldn't get dye to take on 6061, I knew it was just gonna take too much effort for what I wanted to do...

Those are stainless steel not aluminum. If you tried to anodize that you'll get a horrible bleed effect around those two areas. You have to remove it, ano, then weld it back on. You also have to remove all that plastic stuff.

Yet again with the anodizing taking so much time. I also tried a light caustic bath (nasty stuff...), that was the one thing that worked when I tried to anodize 😀 I've also heard that some of the internal screen frame might be steel, so I'd have to take that out as well. Pretty crazy stuff there. Either way, you still have to take the magnets out.

If you like the metallic look, you need to anodize. Powdercoating does not have a metallic look. It has a high gloss or flat finish. But with powdercoating you can get a greater variety of colors (candies).

It depends on how you look at it (or how it is coated). I guess powdercoating can have a "glitter" look, but that's very different from anodizing.

Powder coating also usually has that gaudy clear coat stuff. I couldn't stand it 🙂

You can check their various prices for the various systems and services at their websites. Colorware.com, Alchaemy.com, eBay.com(for cases/skins)

Again, the most convenient option maybe a case. You can change up the color when ever you want 🙂 . I've also seen some really impressive skins from China.

Thanks for the info, I might look in further but I think the project is officially dead (at least with this computer!!). Looks like I might just have to get a case. Honestly though, I *hate* the idea of a case. I figure, the time some poor engineer spent designing this computer to be this thin, and people just put more mms on it (not so much with laptops but with phones?? Seriously. I'd rather enjoy the fact that I live in 2013 and my phone is less than a centimeter thick than put a case on it. However, I've never dropped a laptop/phone and caused severe damage, so maybe I would feel different if I had). Well, little rabbit trail over, I guess I am a skin guy, if anything. I remember seeing a couple skins prior to this that got me thinking if the entire macbook was that color/style.

Thanks! (P.S hope I am not blowing up your quote notifications!)

 

[esskay]

I think just like with doing a lot of custom work on a car, you've gotta do it for the love of it, for yourself first and foremost... Cause if you think about resale value etc... Doesn't always pencil out... Sounds like a skin would be the most straightforward route for you...

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

astroboy=James May? (your signature)

Speaking of, James, May, I have your signature? 😉

 

[Astroboy907]

astroboy=James May? (your signature)

Speaking of, James, May, I have your signature? 😉

Haha I wish. After I got my drivers license everybody in my family started calling me captain slow because I, well, was pretty slow. Kind of stuck. Honestly though, you are the first person to comment on it. And I see what you did there! 😉
I wish I could change my username though- maybe to captainslow, or perhaps tameracingdriver, or maybe even POWERRRRR! Gotta love Top Gear!

I guess James May is from the future though, based on my current location...