How to Paint Your XBox360 Controller!

Intro: How to Paint Your XBox360 Controller!

STEP 1: Supplies!

To start off, you will need a few items.

� XBOX 360 Controller
�Torx T-8 Security Screwdriver (you can get a regular T-8 and break the security pieces with a small
flat-head screwdriver though)
� Small phillip's screwdriver
� Painter's tape
� Exact-o-knife or razor blade
�Spray paint (Krylon fusion for plastic is preferred)
� Clear finish
� Sandpaper

STEP 2: Disassemble and Clean

First off, you are going to have to disassemble your controller. I'm not going to go into it, I'll just post this video, which yes, I used myself. very helpful.

Make sure to put your circuit board, rumblies, buttons you're not going to paint, screws and springs somewhere safe.

After disassembling, you need to clean your controller thoroughly! I just used cotton balls and rubbing alcohol, some people say to use glass cleanser, it's really just your preference, but cleaning it is key.

STEP 3: Sanding

Now that it is clean, sand it!
I used a sand sponge from Wal-mart, just a few bucks. Fine grain.

Lightly sand your entire controller. Pay closer attention to the shinny buttons - start and back buttons, the triggers, bumpers(entire top piece really) and the D-pad.

Blow or brush the sand off and you are ready to paint next!

STEP 4: Paint

Now your controller should be 100% ready to paint, if you prefer you can do a primer, but I did not and everything went fine.

I stuck my triggers, start and back buttons on nails in styrofoam. Also I stuck the D-pad, bumper top piece and gray bottom piece into some, just so i could get good paint coverage.

For this step I put painter's tape in the holes on the front(for the d-pad, sticks, start, back and abxy holes) so that when i did my second coat it wouldn't glob up inside the controller. (which is was completely useless because I didn't paint anything while it was together, so you can pretty much ignore this silly step.)

To start you want to put your base coat on (preferably the lighter color). Be careful to do several light coats. Wait about 20 minutes between coats. The first coat may not seem like enough but after 3 or 4 coats, it will be looking good.

After this step, I let my own dry overnight.

STEP 5: Apply Your Design

This is where the razor and painters tape comes in!

For this step, I put the shell of my controller back together so I didn't have to line everything up separately. I placed my design and then after I was satisfied I went and cut the tape at the cracks with my razor. I went for a zebra stripe and it's pretty sweet I would say. :D

Make sure your tape is stuck well or the paint will seep into it a little.

STEP 6: Second Color

Now that the design is done, cut the seams and take the shell back apart.

Paint your second color just like the first. Several light coats, about 20 minutes apart.

Let this dry awhile before removing the tape. Carefully remove your design and marvel at your own awesomeness.

(Sorry I didn't take any pictures of it while the whole thing was painted with the tape. I was too excited to finish it.)

CLEAR COAT! I cannot stress enough for you to put a clear finish on your controller. This will protect the paint from chipping and keep it nice and shiny! If you don't put this on the paint will be off before you know it.

The process of clear coating is much the same as painting. Several, quick even layers about 20-30 minutes apart. Let is dry good overnight or you'll end up putting fingerprints into it.

STEP 7: Reassemble.

So this is where you put it all back together, I'm not going to explain again, this guy will though! Yeah, I had to use this too, lol!

Thanks to MyCustomXBoX.com and youtube and stuff for the videos, good job guys!

STEP 8: Well You're Done Now!

So get your GAME ON!

Comments

[TheAllDaySon]

This is possibly the best hand sprayed controller I've seen. I've just started to get into doing this myself.

[MooseSourberry]

Why, thank you for the kind words! :)

[TheAllDaySon]

No worries :)

What kind of material did you use to cut out the stripe shapes. I work in a label company so material is ready available to me. I found what I used peeled off easily

[MooseSourberry]

I used a razor blade. An exacto knife would work great too. All materials are listed in the article.

[TheAllDaySon]

hi

Just currently trying to do the xbox one controllers myself. I've found the layers of paint really interfere with the buttons. Need a bit of advice. This is the order how I've been doing them to no avail
plastic primer coat
light ->medium->heavy coat of colour
same process for clear coat

I think the paint I have does apply straight to plastic, I'm in the UK so krylon isn't an alternative

[MooseSourberry]

How many coats of color are you doing? No medium or heavy coats required.. all coats should be light and even and sprayed from 15-30 cm away. Your first coat may not even cover completely. Clear coat should also be applied by spray, in light even coats.
I have yet to do this to an xbox one controller tho, perhaps the buttons are shorter, I'm still thinking a few thin layers of paint shouldn't affect them.

[TheAllDaySon]

managed to salvage the face plate from my recent let down project

[MooseSourberry]

I really like that shade of green!
I just used some old cardboard box, flattened out. Light, even coats is major key. And patience between coats.

[TheAllDaySon]

Yeah I believe that's where my issue is. I spray a little too close and too thick.

In having to use my dad's shed to spray. So light is at a premium.

How do you actually set up to. I'm using a rotating cake display thing. I've seen majority of people just laying paper down and doing it that way

[MylesT6]

Hello, thanks for the great guide. I'm very interested in doing this, primarily with one of my Gcon 45 Light gun for the Playstation. Would I also need to sand the Gcon as well? I'd like to spray it a shiny gold. Can you recommend a suitable spray paint for this? Also, my primary concern is the paint coming off on my hands after long play sessions, due to sweat etc. How can I avoid this? As even a factory made Gold gun attachment for my wii wiimote controller came off on my hands after long use, due to sweat. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you - Myles Thomas

[MooseSourberry]

I would still recommend sanding as this helps the paint adhere to the plastic. To keep the paint from rubbing off use a clear coat after the color coat, sorry to say that some paint may rub off on your sweaty mitts lol that is just wear and tear, to be expected over time.

[CloudR]

If you're still answering questions, by chance, what grit sandpaper did you use?

[MooseSourberry]

320 grit was what i used. Something fine, you don't want to scratch into the plastic.

[VaGxMagnumz]

i used krylon fusion for plastic as my paint and clear coat but my controller feels almost grainy not glossy

[ac-dc]

You probably used the Fusion Textured version which is supposed to feel grainy. I wonder though, why do you think grainy is bad? Glossy has worse grip and your hands can get sweaty against it.

[MooseSourberry]

Hmm.. I don't know to tell you.. It may have been because weather conditions and that the controller wasn't entirely clean when you painted it...

[rking54]

is sanding absolutely necessary? because my controller is a already pretty smooth

[Huntik]

Dude its so it gets rough so the paint has something to adhere to

[ac-dc]

If you use standard spray paint you need to roughen the surface but if you use a paint for plastics (or vinyl dye) with a bonding agent/solvent in it, then a very light first coat, it will adhere without sanding.

[GuyB1]

is it ok if i use spirit alcohol instead of rubbing alcohol? i know this is a old post but just incase you still answer questions i would like to know. Thanks.