Questions about Painting Various Surfaces...

I'm still debating what laptop I should get, and it never occurred to me to paint it... This changes things because aesthetics do matter to me, considering I'll have to stare at it every single day for the next four years.

So, first and foremost, is it possible to paint the magnesium alloy on the HP Envy 14 Beats Edition's lid without losing the cool metal touch, or, at the very least, without creating a glossy (fingerprint-magnet) surface?

How about the original Envy 14? Does the paint fill in the holes, or does it depend on the method/paint used?

And regarding Thinkpads, which offer the performance I want but the looks I truly dislike (no offense, anyone!), is it possible to paint the matte surface? And if so, will that too lose the matte-ness? Does the paint become so rigid as to eliminate the "soft-touch" feeling and produce a brittle covering?

And lastly, how much money and skill is required for such projects? Is there great risk for an amateur? Will I need to dismantle the system if I only wish to paint the lid (and the palm rest for the original Envy)?


Sorry for the horrid barrage of questions, but I'm still technically a kid and a relatively clueless one at that. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

I cant answer your Envy question.

But the top lid of the Thinkpads, has rubber on it (if I'm not mistaken), so I don't think you can paint or even dye it (you can only dye darker than the original color anyway). But the rest you can, its just a matter of how good of a paint job you give it.

And yes it does take practice painting and dying, it probably took 3/6 of my PS3 controllers to get it right. And dying took me a month to get a hang of.

 

without being rude or disrespectful from the questions you are asking I dont think your knowledge of painting is great.

I wouldnt do it. I have a fair bit of experience of painting. I have painted cars. I would not paint a laptop. Its far easier to apint a car than a laptop and get it to look good.

If you choose to pursue it. Then I would find some other things to practice on first, Similar to the laptop you want to paint. Also the paint will chip/flake/scratch easily.

 

No problem, pengy_666, I'm quite aware that my knowledge is severely limited; hence the thread haha!

Okay, for some reason, the process seemed doable on the tutorials, but alas... Thank you anyways, guys. It's just that the Envy 14 (regular) and X220 are two of my top choices right now, but I'm not a huge fan of their designs. Again, thanks anywho!

 

I think anything is doable.

Just practice on material similar to laptop.

Not on a laptop first time. If you leave the paint to dry in between and with the right materials any runs can be removed.

OR

how about this?