Painting Backplates

[diluzio91]

My roomie wants to paint his ipod classic back, but he still wants to have the apple symbol, and the ipod info on the back, i was thinking of a sticker or something we can put on a white coat of paint before the black. anyone have ideas?

[billygoat333]

can use painter's tape and an exacto knife to cut out the symbols, etc. might be a little tedious though.

[diluzio91]

can use painter's tape and an exacto knife to cut out the symbols, etc. might be a little tedious though.

i was thinking that, but im worried it might be too choppy... :think:

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I'd think a couple of extremely light coats, followed by clearcoat, would do it - it wouldn't be totally black, probably, but the apple/lettering would show through in the right light. Definitely a compromise, but also the simplest way of going about it. Easier than trying to tape it off or having it all re-etched, at least.

[Konrad]

Low-cost options

A thick layer of crayon wax*, edges trimmed with a plastic credit card or whatever. Paint over it, carefully razor the edges, remove the wax.

[Edit: maybe not crayon wax, but rather a transparent wax]

Results are probably not as choppy as you might expect and risk of damaging the surface with knife blades is reduced because you only have to cut through a layer of paint instead of a layer of adhered mask. When done right.

Another option is to hand paint the logo with a different kind of paint (or even glue) that can be removed with a solvent that won't affect the main paint. Test compatibility of chemicals first (with solvents, with each other, and with iPod plastics). Expect to do a little fine edge sanding and maybe clearcoat.

You can simplify a lot by just outlining the logo with a wider perimeter or even a simple shape like a square or circle.