LithGeek Custom Gaming Computers

At some point, I figure you folks would get tired of seeing the posts about this hand-painted computer case mod. But I keep having folks walk into my computer shop and ask about the progress! So I will keep posting until it is finished! Today we are going to talk about UV paint case mods

UV paint case mods

Everyone likes to have their computers light up. I wanted to do some accents to the dragon computer case that would enhance the image. Yes yes I know, UV lighting is so late 1980s. But that does not mean that it is not cool. But there is a reason why I am only painting the outside of the computer case in UV!

Why UV paint case mods Inside a Computer Case Could Cause Issues

Thinking about adding some UV lights to your custom gaming rig? Sure, they can look pretty sweet, making your cables and components glow like something out of a sci-fi movie. But hold up before you deck out your case in ultraviolet glory—there are a few things you might want to consider. UV lighting isn’t all fun and games, and it could actually cause some problems for your PC down the line.

1. Plastic Degradation

One of the biggest potential issues with UV lighting is what it can do to plastic. A lot of your PC components—like fan blades, cable sheaths, and even certain parts of your GPU or motherboard—are made from plastic. When exposed to UV light for extended periods, plastic can break down and become brittle. This is called UV degradation. It’s the same reason why outdoor plastic furniture starts to crack after a few years in the sun. Over time, constant exposure to UV lighting inside your case could make your cables more prone to cracking, which is obviously bad news.

2. Discoloration of Components

UV lighting can cause some materials to fade or change color over time. If you’ve ever seen what happens to old toys or electronics left in direct sunlight, you know what I’m talking about. While it’s less likely to impact metal parts, plastic, and even some painted components might start to look washed out or discolored. That custom paint job you paid extra for? UV lights might give it a weird tint after a while. If you’re going for a long-lasting aesthetic, UV might not be the way to go.

3. Heat Issues

UV lights themselves don’t generate a lot of heat, but if you’re already running a high-performance rig with a lot of lighting and custom cooling, every bit of additional energy in your case adds up. The more components inside your PC, the more heat you’ll need to deal with. And heat is the enemy of performance. While UV lights might not cause your temps to spike, they could contribute to an overall increase in heat, especially if your case isn’t well-ventilated.

4. Potential for Eye Strain

Sure, you’re not sitting there staring into your case while you game (unless that’s your thing, in which case, no judgment), but keep in mind that UV light can cause eye strain over time. If you’re gaming in a dark room with UV lights shining out of a tempered glass side panel, that glow could be distracting or even cause some irritation. Your eyes might not love having UV beams bouncing off your peripherals, so it’s something to consider if you’re thinking of making UV lighting a big part of your case design.

5. Difficult Maintenance

Keeping your PC clean is important, and it’s no secret that UV light can reveal dust and grime you didn’t even know was there. At first, this might seem cool—like it’s exposing your PC’s dirty little secrets—but it also means more frequent cleaning. Dust particles can glow under UV light, making even the tiniest specks stand out. If you’re the kind of person who wants their build to look pristine at all times, UV lights might highlight every little imperfection, making maintenance a more frequent chore.

So, Should You Go for UV Lighting?

In the end, it’s all about balancing form and function. UV lighting can definitely make your rig stand out, but it’s important to weigh the potential risks. If you’re okay with more frequent cleaning, a slight chance of discoloration, and maybe having to swap out some plastic parts down the road, go for it. But if you want a build that’ll look just as good in a couple of years as it does now, you might want to reconsider those UV lights.

In the world of custom builds, there are tons of ways to make your rig unique. Just make sure that the choices you make—especially when it comes to lighting—don’t end up causing headaches down the line.

This is why have the UV light only on the outside of the computer case! I am also going to have the UV lighting to be optional! There is going to be a switch that will allow the external UV lights to be on or off! UV paint case mods you need to have some control.

Hopefully, this will bring a little balance to the case and still have that optional coool!

So how will the lights be powered?

One of the simpler things to do with case modding is working with Arduinos and LEDS. The code is simple and the soldering is not much harder (I guess it depends if you are a programmer or a hardware person). The Arduino will draw power from the motherboard from the 12-volt AUD power. From there I will use a relay to drop the power to 5 volts (A power level that an Arduino is happiest)..

Fro there I will run cables inside the case to the base of the computer case and up the sides. The tricky part will be mounting the UV lights in a way that will provide good lighting and not cause too much glare!