Painting a joystick

[s_busby_uk]

Wasn't sure where to put this so as this section involves "art" and art involves paint I thought I'd stick it here...

In short, I bought some black bat-style joysticks and would prefer them to be white. What are my options for painting them properly? I'd assume some sort of white spray paint and some fixer to make sure it doesn't rub off?

Or am I better off finding some actual white joystick parts?

[Malenko]

find white ones.

[s_busby_uk]

Hmm, can't find any white ones of the type I like on my preferred arcade parts store. Any suggestions? (I'm in the UK)

Is painting it such a bad idea?

[Malenko]

Theres just a lot that can go wrong , scratching ,chipping, paint transfer onto hands, yellowing, wear,etc

As for sourcing one.... no clue bro, sorry.

[s_busby_uk]

Theres just a lot that can go wrong , scratching ,chipping, paint transfer onto hands, yellowing, wear,etc

As for sourcing one.... no clue bro, sorry.

Yeah I see what you mean. It's looking increasingly like the only option at the moment though.

Damn my persnickety aesthetic direction! lol

[Malenko]

well, on the flip side, you can give a shot on 1 stick and see the results.

[spoot]

PastiDip Rubber Dip?   I have no idea if it would stand up either.....but it's made for dipping tools and such.

[Sjaak]

Will this do?

[s_busby_uk]

Will this do?

It just might yknow! Provided I can remove the top from this and screw it on:

http://www.arcadeworlduk.com/products/American-Style-Arcade-Joystick.html

[drventure]

Painting a stik would probably work ok, as long as you prepped the stick, primed it and used a good oil enamel. I painted buttons and they've held up remarkably well. Sticks would likely do even better, since they aren't getting the same abuse as buttons.

That said, though, I wouldn't bother unless I was going for a very specific custom look (some kind of artwork or effect). Just changing the sticks white? I'd just source different bat tops like the others here have suggested.

[markc74]

I was in the same boat. Especially as ultimarc servosticks only come in red or black. Arcadeworld is probably your best option as its far far leas hassle than painting... Unless you wanna go ball top on which I think they're available at a few places.

If you only need 1 I 've got one in my bag of bits you can have as I've gone ball top on my single player cp.

[Vigo]

I've painted joysticks before. Works great, but you gotta be patient. I used auto grade sprays for everything. You gotta sand the stick, then coat it with primer (I used a can of auto primer spray). wet sand and then start in with enamel spray paint. do a thin coat and wait and do again. I put on at least 5-6 coats. I also clear-coated it with a few coats. Don't put it to heavy use for a week.

At this point the joystick is very hard and durable, but I am sure it is still prone to chipping, you would have to be careful to not drop it before installing, or letting anything heavy bash into it.