Prep for attaching CP Art

[markronz]

Just a small question.  Getting ready to apply some CP art soon.   I will be ordering it from Game On Grafix, as I've ordered from them before and liked their work.  It will be adhesive backed.   My control panel is wood, MDF to be exact.   So what do you guys do to prep the control panel to get it ready for the art to be applied?   Do you prime the control panel?  Or do you think the art will stick directly to the MDF?  And if you do prime it, is there any reason why I should consider painting it black (like the rest of my cabinet) too?   Or would primer be sufficient?

Also, I assume people cut all their holes and etc first, and then apply the art work after that, right?   Do you just use an exacto knife or something similar to cut out the artwork that covers the holes then?

Thanks!

[nickynooch]

 

[markronz]

Thanks for the tip on waiting before applying.   Can I ask why you painted the control panel first though?   Do you think that CP art would stick better to paint, versus stick just to primer?  I mean, I have no problems painting first, but just trying to eliminate any extra steps.

[javeryh]

Primer is fine but I'd sand the surface VERY smooth before applying the art (like 600 grit at least).

[nickynooch]