How to Paint on Plastic Video Game Controller 

Glad it helped

Take a look at most of my custom controller videos for more tips, but I recommend using autoborne sealer as a primer. This has a really sticky finish and will help with all your maskings. I would add 5% to 10% autoborne sealer to your acrylic colors for each layer as you mask and continue adding layers of paint. at the end i would add clear coat (3 tack coats / 5-7 layers of wet coats. Sand plastic with 220 grit followed by green or brown pad before autoborne sealer. If your going to do straight spray can I would recomment to use 2X painters touch (rust oleum) I would avoid masking as much as possible because you may peel it. I would paint details with a brush instead of masking. Clear everything at the end.

I use Iwata Airbrush and Createx Paint.

For scuffs you can use glazing putty bondo to fill the small scratches. Then prime as you normally would to get rid off the scuffs.

its acrylic. Createx is the brand

1. Yes you can use spray can. Disassemble as much as you can to get a clean result. Sand with 400 grit sand paper. spray 3 very light mist coats allowing them to dry in-between each coat. Then spray 2-3 heavy coats. Allow to dry, then Clear coat with Painter Touch 2X (same process light coats and nice heavy coat). Test your two paints on a scrap to make sure they work together. 2. When you paint candy colors on such a big thing like a car and you want show quality, then yes its recommended to paint all assembled. But with your project you don't have to. Also if you try to spray it assembled you will have an issue getting good coverage on the panels since you be twisting and rotating the whole thing just to try to get to the bottom the side the back the front etc. Also how will you lay it down for it dry? If sprayed assembled you may get runs since the paint may want to collect in the seems. 3. I would sand the primer with maybe 400+ grit, just to get it smooth. For clear try the 2X painters touch. I use this over acrylic and it works well, just test it with the chameleon paint before. I laydown like 5 coats of clear (allowing to dry in between each coat). You can do a wet sand with 600+ grit sand paper to get any imperfections out in the middle of spraying those 5-6 coats of clear.

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner I can’t thank you enough, dude. Seriously. Separate pieces it is! I took some cardboard and plastic sheeting and rigged a janky-looking little spray booth. I rigged it so I can hang each piece from the top using combos of wire hanger, fishing line, and pipe cleaners (making sure to attach them in the right spot). They will hang to dry as well. I don’t want dust and stuff collecting on them as they dry, I was going to hang them in their own little plastic tent for the initial drying stage. Do you think this’ll be OK? I also have made the teeniest mistake and have to fill in just a little bit of the plastic. I haven’t looked up what I can use to fill it, but if it’s anything like the base of a ski or snowboard I’ll be able to find something I can melt into it that’s sandable. I suppose I can take a broken one and try actual P-Tex in the meantime. This is cool I appreciate you.

You could paint it but would be a lot of work getting the rubber material off with sanding. If you have the patience you can do it. Just be sure to clear it so its durable.

Thanks

I recommend using acrylic markers and them clear coating it. If you are doing some basic coloring maybe oil base markers with no clear. I highly recommend sanding the item with 320 grit sand paper at least.

all projects are actual orders for customers. Finish last a long time, similar to automotive finish.

Yes, for the most part you can use this process to paint plastics. The two most important parts is sanding and using autoborne sealer as your base.

I don't see why not. I think its also plastic. If it has a rubber coating you will have to remove it all before you begin to paint it.

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner cool

Venden spray para grip en Amazon. www.amazon.com/Seymour-16-083-Resistant-Coating-Spray/dp/B019RTKF4K/ref=sr_1_12?crid=Q87EAXR5HWBT&keywords=non%2Bslip%2Bpaint&qid=1651029986&sprefix=non%2Bslip%2Bpaint%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-12&th=1

If you do not use them, the paint will eventually peel off.

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner can i just use primer? Other youtuber dont do it

@@sewiim3612 Yes, you can use primer and paint only. For added protection clear coat is recommended. From a spray can work well.

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner thx so much for ur tips

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner do you have any recommendations on amazon for clear coats? in eu

Thx in advance

Its highly recommended to protect your artwork. I would clear it for sure.

They actually sell matte clear coats instead of glossy clear coats. Very useful for having a very low shine while still protecting the controller. I would very highly recommend it since you're constantly going to touch it. Edit: Make sure the paint you're working with is either flat, matte, or satin. Theres no point working with gloss if you're not trying to get a shine on the color.

@@scottpadilla5050 thank you for the advise I already found out about the matte clear finish and i spray painted my mouse and it was perfect

They have clear coat that is Matte. The colors will be a bit dull. Great for solid colors and military paint jobs.

Prep with Alcohol and use Autoborne Sealer as a primer before putting artwork on.

you can use oil paint markers or enamel paint. Acrylic paint marker will work too.

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner okay thanks

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner also boom i got you 500 subs now im the 500th :>

If your only ding a solid color and your clearing it you might get away with not sanding, but its highly recommend whether you are doing one color or multi color designs.

@@ErnieHernandezdesigner thank you so much appreciate the reply

Yes but you gotta put a few layers and then you can’t notice it at all. Plus some clear coat you can’t tell at all

@@calebgautreau great! Thanks!!

it needs to so the paint sticks. but disappears after you apply the paint.

It does at first, but the sealer, paint, and clear coat will cover the initial marks.

the primer should cover all the marks if not use a finer grit

disassemble the controller before painting it.

Thanx man