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Panel resonance.....try this.

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 12:40 pm
by Bluefront
Rust-oleum Texturized Rubber Coating. I picked up a few cans at a dollar bargain store. I suspect there are other colors available, but this place only had yellow. You're supposed to dip something in the can, but it can also be brushed on, diluted with about 10% mineral spirits.

It goes on pretty thick, and I used two coats on the case only. If your panels are a loose fit, you could also coat the panel. I suspect you could also use this other ways...say coat the inner sides of the drive mount brackets to cut down drive noise. Useful stuff....

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 1:37 pm
by MikeC
Looks very useful BF!

One of the simplest ways to get rid of panel damping -- if it is a large one like the left side pannel on a typical tower case:

Get a heavy dense piece of sheet wood -- medite board, particle board, whatever -- or even metal (1/4" aluminum, etc...) -- and just GLUE it to the middle of the inside of the panel. The piece can be as small as 8 x 8", roughly centered. Use silicone glue for best results, put pressure (weights) on the thing and leave it for 24 hrs to fully cure. If you're paranoid about it fall off on the inside, just fix a flat head screw through the side cover to give an extra level of security.

The end result is a panel that does not ring at all.

This is a basic loudspeaker cabinet panel damping technique that's been used for half a century. 8)

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 4:04 pm
by Bluefront
Another benefit to using this coating on the panel edges is, if applied to the correct thickness, it provides an almost air-tight seal between the panel and the case. This is useful if your case airflow design relies on a good tight case with no cracks and seams where un-wanted air can enter/exit. Basically this is why I'm applying the coating to all the edges on my new case.

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 7:34 pm
by al bundy
Bluefront, do you know if this product holds up well in the long run, and if there are there any heat or emission concerns with the material?

By the way, you come up with a great many of these excellent ideas Bluefront. Thanks!

8)

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 2:49 am
by Bluefront
Well it should be pretty tough.....meant to coat screw-driver handles and such. In a static application such as a case, it should last virtually forever. It smells bad when drying, but after that no smells at all. Emissions?

I've always liked to snoop around hardware stores and similar places looking for new ideas, and if I can build rather than buy things....well that's my preference. :)

Rustoleum coating

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 3:01 am
by al bundy
Bluefront wrote:...I've always liked to snoop around hardware stores and similar places looking for new ideas, and if I can build rather than buy things....well that's my preference. :)
Me too. Good old-fashioned ingenuity. :)

About the emissions question, I refer to how various materials (including some rubber compounds) will give off toxic emissions when heated to certain temps and above. For this reason, those particular materials cannot be used in all building/manufacturing applications, etc...

This material does seem like it would be safe - however, you might want to let us know if your computer starts talking to you, or if you start seeing Elvis, or any other similar strange experiences start happening to you in the near future! :D

8)

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 4:47 am
by Winston
al bundy wrote:This material does seem like it would be safe - however, you might want to let us know if your computer starts talking to you, or if you start seeing Elvis, or any other similar strange experiences start happening to you in the near future! :D

8)
...which would mean it is a very good "value for money" product, since fun is included as well! :lol:

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 4:59 am
by Bluefront
Humm..I am seeing things. I just saw an old, gray-bearded codger pulled out of a hole in the ground. Don't think it's Elvis though......heh.

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 5:11 am
by Ralf Hutter
Bluefront wrote:Humm..I am seeing things. I just saw an old, gray-bearded codger pulled out of a hole in the ground. Don't think it's Elvis though......heh.
Dude, I just saw the same thing!! I'm blaming it on my Seasonic Super Tornado, they're the devil!!

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 5:20 am
by Winston
Bluefront wrote:Humm..I am seeing things. I just saw an old, gray-bearded codger pulled out of a hole in the ground. Don't think it's Elvis though......heh.
I saw it too... thought it was Santa? :lol:

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 8:03 am
by Rusty075
Oh man, Santa looks like he's coming off a serious bender. :wink:

Another use for this rubberized stuff is as isolation layer between components. You could paint a few layers on the outside of your PSU at the mounting points.

Or...

You could dip your entire HDD in it. :lol:

Just be sure to have the IDE and power connectors attached first, and have the jumper set correctly.

But I can report a couple of things as well: 1. Dipping an entire HDD in this will dampen vibration and reduce whine significantly. 2. So long as you were careful to dip the connectors as well the HDD will now be waterproof. 3. It will not be mineral-oil proof however, as the oil will gradually soften the rubber back to a jelly-like state, allowing the oil to fill the drive.