So in the tek video they recommend vinyl dye, but everywhere else I see says use a plastic based spray paint, maybe with a light layer of primer. Which should I use? I feel like plastic spray paint would work pretty well, but that might just be because I've used spray paint for years and know what to expect. I'll be painting a tri-x cooling unit if that matters at all.
I hate to link to another forum, but this is a write up a buddy of mine did. I think it'll answer all your questions, especially since he did it with the same card :)
http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?481802-Removing-the-heatsink-and-painting-your-TRI-X-R9-290&highlight=sunderian
I actually have that thread bookmarked+open right now! That's what "confused" me about what to use. I think I'll go ahead and use the plastic spray paint, since he seems to have had great results.
It depends on what part you're coloring. The paint is going to lay on top of the plastic and add a bit of thickness, so don't use it around moving parts like the central hub of the fans. This depends on the clearance but just be aware it will add a bit of thickness. If you're coloring the same parts as in that thread you'll be fine, If you're doing the fan blades I'd use the dye.
Yeah, I'm just doing the shroud. The only issue I could see with the added thickness is maybe sliding the metal pieces back on, but I'm really not to concerned about that and don't think It should be an issue at all, especially since it wasn't mentioned in the other thread.