Guide On How To Change The Colour Of Noctua Fans
- Thread starter Firat
- Start date
Firat
New member
Some of the images seem to not be working and for some reason I am unable to edit the original post so here it is again below as requested!
Here is a guide showing you how to take apart your noctua fan, dye the fan with a colour you wish (i will be using royal blue) and putting it back together.
I will have to work backwards as i forgot to take photos when taking the fan apart but i will explain what i did exactly when i show images of me putting it back together.
1 - Now firstly buy some dye, it doesnt matter what kind, i used Royal Blue Rit Dye, for this fan.
2 - Get an old pot, heat some water in it and leave until water boils, once the water has boiled, turn down the stove to the lowest setting, not off, just so the water is at a consistant temp throughout the dyeing process.
3- Pour in your dye whether it be powder (one i used) or liquid, i used two packets of rit dye, the more you use the more vibrant the colour will get and it will help get the colour you desire.
4 - Put in fan frame and blades, as i said i dont have pics before i put it in, but you will see photos in the latter stages.
5 - Keep it in the pot for 1-2 hours, keep having a look at it every 20mins untill you get the colour deepness you desire.
6 - Take the fan frame and blade out, give it a good rub down to get rid of uneven colouring this is how mine looked after a good polish
7 - As you can see in the photo you will need superrrr glueeee, to glue back the motor onto the frame.
8 - Put some super glue on the circular center as you can see in the picture.
9 - Pick up the motor, align the cables to the cable routing groves, then just push it in firmly, and you should end up with something like this. removing the motor was easy a little wiggle and with the help of a flat screwdriver it came loose.
10 - Get you fan blade polished and ready.
11 - using any kind of oil, pour some onto the metal area on the centre here where the washer is (lubrication) as shown.
EDIT - i forgot to say, i dont know if it would come out before it was heated but in the image you can see the brown looking rubber Ring shaped thingy made from a metal rubber combo in the center on the photo below its like a few mm thick, that would have to come out aswell..... mine actually came out in the pot.... didnt realise untill i emted the pot out... but its not a prob just slides back in...
12 - Then just firmly push the Blade onto the frame aligning it with the centre....removing it is just a simple wiggle again and it should come free.
13 - Here in the image top left you can see the underside of the sticker with the small magnet in the middle, prepare this to put onto the back of the frame.
14 - Slip the magnet in and stick the Noctua sticker back on and press firmly. You should be left with this.
This would complete your noctua fan mod..... now for the moment of truth.....
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM, Sucesssssss
Thank you for reading, Hope you enjoyed this guide to "Dyeing" your noctua
PS. Its still quiet and works like the normal NFP-12, compared it to one
Here is a guide showing you how to take apart your noctua fan, dye the fan with a colour you wish (i will be using royal blue) and putting it back together.
I will have to work backwards as i forgot to take photos when taking the fan apart but i will explain what i did exactly when i show images of me putting it back together.
1 - Now firstly buy some dye, it doesnt matter what kind, i used Royal Blue Rit Dye, for this fan.
2 - Get an old pot, heat some water in it and leave until water boils, once the water has boiled, turn down the stove to the lowest setting, not off, just so the water is at a consistant temp throughout the dyeing process.
3- Pour in your dye whether it be powder (one i used) or liquid, i used two packets of rit dye, the more you use the more vibrant the colour will get and it will help get the colour you desire.
4 - Put in fan frame and blades, as i said i dont have pics before i put it in, but you will see photos in the latter stages.
5 - Keep it in the pot for 1-2 hours, keep having a look at it every 20mins untill you get the colour deepness you desire.
6 - Take the fan frame and blade out, give it a good rub down to get rid of uneven colouring this is how mine looked after a good polish
7 - As you can see in the photo you will need superrrr glueeee, to glue back the motor onto the frame.
8 - Put some super glue on the circular center as you can see in the picture.
9 - Pick up the motor, align the cables to the cable routing groves, then just push it in firmly, and you should end up with something like this. removing the motor was easy a little wiggle and with the help of a flat screwdriver it came loose.
10 - Get you fan blade polished and ready.
11 - using any kind of oil, pour some onto the metal area on the centre here where the washer is (lubrication) as shown.
EDIT - i forgot to say, i dont know if it would come out before it was heated but in the image you can see the brown looking rubber Ring shaped thingy made from a metal rubber combo in the center on the photo below its like a few mm thick, that would have to come out aswell..... mine actually came out in the pot.... didnt realise untill i emted the pot out... but its not a prob just slides back in...
12 - Then just firmly push the Blade onto the frame aligning it with the centre....removing it is just a simple wiggle again and it should come free.
13 - Here in the image top left you can see the underside of the sticker with the small magnet in the middle, prepare this to put onto the back of the frame.
14 - Slip the magnet in and stick the Noctua sticker back on and press firmly. You should be left with this.
This would complete your noctua fan mod..... now for the moment of truth.....
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM, Sucesssssss
Thank you for reading, Hope you enjoyed this guide to "Dyeing" your noctua
PS. Its still quiet and works like the normal NFP-12, compared it to one
Last edited:
mastercrim
New member
I am doing this right away thanks for the quide the orginal color is hidious.
Hey, I had a few questions about your process. First off, I was wondering about how much water you used, and if you knew if this would work just as well with liquid dyes. Also, did you use the same Navy Blue color for both pieces of the fan? It was the original colors that made them come out differently, correct? Lastly, would this work just as well with the fans that come with the Noctua NH-D14? I don't see why it wouldn't, but I'd just like to make sure first. Thanks.
I'm not sure if this post is entirely dead or not, but I'd like to ask; has anyone tried dyeing these white yet? I know its not recommended to dye something into a lighter colour, but perhaps with consistant temperature hot water, high concentrations of dye and multiple dye attempts, a noctua could become white?
If these cannot become white, I believe I shall go with the swiftech helix 120s and hope the noise and performance is similarly of quality standards
If these cannot become white, I believe I shall go with the swiftech helix 120s and hope the noise and performance is similarly of quality standards
welcome to the OC3D forums,
you mean something like this:
i do not know of a white dye (RIT) available. bleaching weakens the rigidity of
the material and if white was available, it'd reduce the background color, but
not cover it up. the blades would be pinkish.. I did this with super light coats
of paint and the balance is terrible.
im using the swiftech helix 120 and 120PWM and although a pretty good fan,
they are not a similar replacement for the p12 fan at any level. yo'ud deffo
get warmer temps.
you mean something like this:
i do not know of a white dye (RIT) available. bleaching weakens the rigidity of
the material and if white was available, it'd reduce the background color, but
not cover it up. the blades would be pinkish.. I did this with super light coats
of paint and the balance is terrible.
im using the swiftech helix 120 and 120PWM and although a pretty good fan,
they are not a similar replacement for the p12 fan at any level. yo'ud deffo
get warmer temps.
Thank you for the welcome and the quick reply, Airdeano,
Those fans in your picture look great! Lightly sprayed NF-F12's/P12's? You mention the balance being terrible; does this effect temperature or noise performance?
From your experience, what kind of temperature and noise differences have you noticed between the Noctuas? I value quiet technology above all else.
I apologize if this second question derails from the purpose of the thread.
Those fans in your picture look great! Lightly sprayed NF-F12's/P12's? You mention the balance being terrible; does this effect temperature or noise performance?
From your experience, what kind of temperature and noise differences have you noticed between the Noctuas? I value quiet technology above all else.
I apologize if this second question derails from the purpose of the thread.
the balance makes the heat sink vibrate and can be annoyingly terrible. since
the blade assembly could not be separated without damage, I only ran it
2-3months before replacing the P12/14. the P12 wasn't as bad as the P14.
the TIM application was deffo destroyed due to the vibration.
ive tried many fans for the D-14 and the only thing comparable or better
were ty-140 (thermalright), but by then, I again reverted to the OE fans
and subsequently went to water-cooling.
Thanks Airdeano. I'm going to avoid the painting route now D;
I was curious, I see that this tutorial is functional for dyeing NF-P12 fans.
And I also know (after lots of looking around) that NF-F12 fans cannot be disassembled (impeller from housing) because of the sealed bearing.
I am considering dyeing the WHOLE NF-F12 black. So, if I were to dunk the whole fan in a pot of hot dye, I would need to somehow seal off the open area at the base of the impellers shaft, right?
Would any of you have some fancy ideas for that?
I was curious, I see that this tutorial is functional for dyeing NF-P12 fans.
And I also know (after lots of looking around) that NF-F12 fans cannot be disassembled (impeller from housing) because of the sealed bearing.
I am considering dyeing the WHOLE NF-F12 black. So, if I were to dunk the whole fan in a pot of hot dye, I would need to somehow seal off the open area at the base of the impellers shaft, right?
Would any of you have some fancy ideas for that?
X1XNobleX1X
New member
How to take apart Noctua fan?
What's the best way of taking the Noctua fans apart.
How much powdered RIT dye would I need to dye 15 fans. Blades red and frame Black.
What's the best way of taking the Noctua fans apart.
How much powdered RIT dye would I need to dye 15 fans. Blades red and frame Black.
As far as i know, the best way of taking Noctua's apart is still the same as in the OP. You have to make sure you peel off the sticker on the back of the fan and remove the magnet that's in the middle. Then you should be able to gently pry the blades from frame. Don't force it. I know the NF-F12's have that "dust seal" but i mean, if you're a modder that's willing to dye your fans, i don't think a "dust seal" is something for you to really worry about.
I'm in the process of dyeing my Akasa Vipers from this tutorial. I think the fan's are assembled similar. There's only a magnet behind the sticker, then you have to pry the blades gently. At first they feel like they won't come off, then 30 seconds later after just applying the tiniest of pressure, the seal will break. Then you have to remove the c-clip, bearings, o-ring, etc.
Also when removing the large magnet that surrounds the inner blade chamber, what the OP pointed out as the brown thing made of a mix between rubber and metal, that's the magnet that keeps the blade spinning (at least i think it is). I highly recommend keeping a heat gun handy on a low temperature and low speed to help get that magnet out clean. If you do it right, you'll just have to pry off the very first part right at the split, then you can just lift it out. If you don't use a heat gun, there might be residue that rips part of the magnet and remains stuck to that inner chamber.
One last thing, that's extremely apparent to me because I'm dyeing Akasa Vipers (Bright Yellow Fans), the original color of the fan is going to mix with the dye you put in and produce it's own color. The original color seems to have just as much of an effect as the dye. For instance, I died my yellow fans red. Now I have orange fans.
Here's a great color chart for dyeing that helped me figure it out.
http://www.tintex.com.au/colours.htm
Hope it helps some other people...
Last edited by a moderator:
Similar threads
