The NEW Guide To Spray Painting Your Gamecube Controller

[CloudChaser071]

Well done. I like the colors and stencil design.

Thank you

Every Friday night, I host a smashfest at McDonalds, and I got a lot of hits tonight. The boost in confidence is making me want to try to incorporate LEDs into it now.

Any tips? Thanks

 

[CloudChaser071]

Another controller I did. My friend wanted a Lucario themed controller. I just did the basic Blue and Black colors for it. Here's a view of them in 2 different lightings (somewhat natural, and incandescent).

The controller was originally black. But I didn't like how it shined, so I actually primed and painted it the glossy black I wanted.

 

[ludvigpasse]

Anyone know a place where I can buy Game Cube controllers?

Well i suppose your looking for a original controller right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-NEW-OFFICIAL-...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item5d2995020e

There you go, official and new They do cost some money thought, but anyway. I have like 2 never used gc original controllers at home, saving them for a few years, but i dont think they will raise in value

 

[Jartravious]

So here are the pics of my first controller I tried spray painting. It was originally silver. I definitely recommend using a finer grade of sand paper.

This is after priming and painting with a white coat.

Falco's head logo that also has a Z inside

my favorite part

 

[HNG]

I noticed that some of the controllers are shinier than others..

Non Shiny:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/shok192/Controllerz/WIGI.jpg


Shiny:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/shok192/Controllerz/Sliq.jpg



Is it the different kind of paint they used or..?

 

[CloudChaser071]

If they used clear coat, they probably used a high glossy clear coat on the shiny one.

With clear coats, you can get flat, satin, and glossy. Glossy will get you a shiny appearance, while flat will net you a dry look. Satin somewhat shiny.


If you look at my controllers that I made, they're sprayed with flat clear coat.

Hope that clears things up

 

[Jartravious]

Did you guys sand out the walls for the buttons before you painted the controller?

I unfortunately painted my controller and buttons before I realized that they are sticking. Any suggestions?

 

[CloudChaser071]

When I painted my buttons, I sanded mine down. I did nothing to the controller's walls for it.

For my first controller, it was perfectly fine because I actually followed directions on the can in terms of distances sprayed.

I went through about 2 sets of buttons for the second one because I didn't follow the rules. If I learned anything from spraying buttons, it's this:

• Sand the buttons. Don't do anything serious though.
• Spray a LIGHT coat.
• Spray at the distance it says on the can.
• If you care about the rubbers, immediately clean it off after the time to be handled has passed. Since it's paint on rubber, it should come off fairly easily.
• Reassemble the controller about 3 days after, making sure the clear coat has dried.

 

[HNG]

Thanks for the information Cloud.

Maybe someone should make a tutorial while showing us how the process of the painting and everything else is.. =)

 

[CloudChaser071]

OOOOooooo ideas now... I wouldn't mind making one.

*plans*

 

[HNG]

Cool! I'd really love to see a video be made ^^

Alsoo, if you have a white GC controller, i'm assuming that you won't need to sand it down?

 

[CloudChaser071]

You don't need to, but I highly recommend it.

Because the gamecube controllers are already semi-glossy/satin, it makes it hard for primer to actually grip the controller's surface. Sanding it will let the primer grip much better to the controller.

What can happen if you don't sand it, and you spray the controller and everything, you might find the paint peeling off over time.

 

[HNG]

I See..

Won't sandpaper like scratch the GC controller and leave marks? And do you have to sand EVERYTHING on the GC Controller?

 

[CloudChaser071]

Sanding can and will leave marks, yes. But when you add primer/paint/clear coat, this makes many layers that cover up the "scratches".

It'd be a good idea to try and sand everything

 

[HNG]

Will you have to sand and so everything else to the inside or the covers?

 

[CloudChaser071]

You don't need to sand on the insides; you're not painting there. Or I should hope not.

Tonight when I make another controller for a friend, I'll rig up a device with a webcam so you can see what idealy is suppose to happen.

 

[HNG]

Cool. Thanks Cloud for answering all my questions : 3

 

[Wenbobular]

Topic starter should put the FAQ before the mass of pics haha
I'm definitely painting my controllers within the next two weeks probably

 

[CloudChaser071]

****, sorry HNG :/ I just applied my primer and I totally forgot about the video. Next one I make I'll be sure to do it.

Right now I'm just getting pictures to hopefully help you.

 

[HNG]

Well, right now I just bought a tri-winged screwdriver off ebay.

I have some primer that I bought a few months back but it is grey. Would it be okay to spray grey primer on instead of the usual white?


Edit: It's okay Cloud ^^

Glad you took some photo's though =P

 

[Sliq]

If they used clear coat, they probably used a high glossy clear coat on the shiny one.

This. I used automotive clear coat, mostly to protect the paint from scratching.

 

[Campii]

i think i'll give this a try, i have one controller that has a sticky Z key. The button doesn't feel broken, just gummed up. When i take the controller apart to paint it, will i also be able to get at the Z button and clean it?

 

[CloudChaser071]

i think i'll give this a try, i have one controller that has a sticky Z key. The button doesn't feel broken, just gummed up. When i take the controller apart to paint it, will i also be able to get at the Z button and clean it?

Yes you will be able to. The controller, when disassembled, represents one of those old toddler toys that you have to fit a square into a square, and etc. Everything comes apart with ease

If you wanted to clean it without actually taking it apart, you can get a damp toothbrush and scrub around the button, and dry it with a cloth.

 

[KAOSTAR]

might as well clean the whole thing.

more importantly, the z button can get dirt in between the metal flap thing. you should def take it apart.

 

[Jartravious]

So my buttons are painted and my controller is already clear coated. Unfortunately the buttons are quite sticky. What can I do? I think its the controller and not the buttons.

 

[CloudChaser071]

When did you assemble it? I had this problem when I first assembled mine because it was too early.

What brand of clearcoat did you use as well?

 

[Jartravious]

I used Valspar clear gloss and I haven't completely assembled it yet. I noticed the buttons sticking when I was checking to see if they would still fit.

 

[Atlantian]

Nice guide. I'll have to try this sometime after I get the materials.

 

[Shök]

When I painted my buttons, I sanded mine down. I did nothing to the controller's walls for it.

For my first controller, it was perfectly fine because I actually followed directions on the can in terms of distances sprayed.

I went through about 2 sets of buttons for the second one because I didn't follow the rules. If I learned anything from spraying buttons, it's this:

• Sand the buttons. Don't do anything serious though.
• Spray a LIGHT coat.
• Spray at the distance it says on the can.
• If you care about the rubbers, immediately clean it off after the time to be handled has passed. Since it's paint on rubber, it should come off fairly easily.
• Reassemble the controller about 3 days after, making sure the clear coat has dried.

Thanks for the information Cloud.

Maybe someone should make a tutorial while showing us how the process of the painting and everything else is.. =)

OOOOooooo ideas now... I wouldn't mind making one.

*plans*

Add to first post? Yus, yus? o:

 

[CloudChaser071]

Yeah, go for it.

I've actually been behind on UTDZac's controller. But I'll update you all with it later. Don't want to give specifics away, less he finds out what kind of design he's getting :D

 

[CloudChaser071]

Yeah, go for it.

I've actually been behind on UTDZac's controller. But I'll update you all with it later. Don't want to give specifics away, less he finds out what kind of design he's getting :D

 

[CloudChaser071]

Botched up a paint job on the controller. Anyone know of any way to get spray paint off a controller or a solvent?

EDIT: Seems acetone will work. Will try and update later.

 

[iamjason8]

I like Tesserex's controller. I'm too much of a wuss to spray paint mine though. xD

Uber sweet guide btw. ^^

 

[Wenbobular]

I have a pretty awesome Falcon emblem on mine, but I'm about to go to a tourney and it needs some more clear coating so I'll wait on posting pics
In the meantime though, I took apart a couple other controllers to swap buttons and junk between them, and now I can't find the little metal clip thing that connects the L and R buttons to the black pump thing ... does anyone know what it's called / if I can order more of them?
It looks like a rectangular U with 2 things that stick in on the open part if that makes sense

Ahh ascii art fail
Sigh

*Edit*
O hah, turns out I was just trying to put it in backwards. Whoops *feels *********
Pics eventually

 

[Campii]

Feels great and works great, however, i initially put a really thick coat of clear coat on, which made the beautiful paint job wrinkle =(. I sanded the wrinkles down, re-sprayed it, and then did many, very light coats of clear coat, and it worked. you might be able too see the places i messed up on near the start button, but it doesn't bother me at all, and for a first attempt, i'm pleased =D

 

[Smash G 0 D]

It's a little too rough, but I'm going to use it for a few days and see if it gets any better.

 

[Jartravious]

Are your buttons sticking?

 

[Smash G 0 D]

No, they're just a tad rough.

 

[Jartravious]

All right, I'm just having trouble getting mine to not stick. I guess I should just sand them again and re paint them.

 

[CloudChaser071]

All right, I'm just having trouble getting mine to not stick. I guess I should just sand them again and re paint them.

Did you wait a full day before sticking them back in?

Did you use clear coat as well?