interior cab paint or not

[redketchup]

Ok, maybe a stupid question, but I want to know what you guys doing.

I'm ready to paint my cab and that is the part i hate the most, the idea of having the only visible part painted is growing in me.

What you guys doing, do you paint the interior of your cab or not?

[syph007]

It's mostly esthetic I think, but if you are using MDF for sure you'd want to at least prime the inside to seal and protect it.

[TopJimmyCooks]

I paint my interiors.  Nothing fancy, just one quick coat of gray.  I use gray rather than black because it helps visibility.  It helps keep dust down and makes it more cleanable if you are blowing air through with a case fan.  Most original pinball machines are painted and most arcade cabs are not.



Plus, it just looks like you know what you're doing.  I actually like building as much as playing, though.  I would never bag on anyone for skipping an unnecessary step to get on with the games. 

[DirtyDachshunds]

I did.  I primed/painted the interior black so it hides the mess inside and laminated the outside, although the back bottom of my cabinet is open (UAII plans)

[CheffoJeffo]

The guy who did that beautiful job on his F2K is considering *not* painting the inside of a cabinet ?

 

[redketchup]

The guy who did that beautiful job on his F2K is considering *not* painting the inside of a cabinet ?

 

Ok! I'm Unmask! I'm going lazy...

[Blanka]

I prime the interior too. Just to protect it from moisture and to stop the MDF stinking.

[Woodshop Flunky]

I paint my interiors.  Nothing fancy, just one quick coat of gray.

I agree.  There are going to be a couple of bare wood areas on the inside of my cab, and I'll hit them with gray primer.  For me it is mostly psychological.  If I leave bare wood, I "feel" like my project isn't finished.

Bear in mind also, that the interior finish doesn't need to be sanded smooth with a glossy finish, so it shouldn't be as difficult.

[cigardude]

Originally I did not but after a while I did go back and do a primer coat and a a coat of grey. I will be starting a new one soon and I will definately paint the inside before I put everything in this time, lol.

[redketchup]

Ok

Understood, I will paint it, I know I will regret it if don't do it!

[Rando]

I used the UAII kid from North Coast customs which are black on the inside and out, but there are a few edges where wood is exposed.  What I'm doing where possibly visible is just covering them with electrical tape instead of pain.  Example is the border under the plexiglas.

[monkey puzzle]

I painted the inside of my cab, although I really don't know why I did it. I don't think I will bother next time, nobody sees it except me.

[TopJimmyCooks]

I definitely bow to PBJ's greater pinball experience.  I correct my statement to:  "The three or four 70's/80's pinball machines I have looked in were painted off white inside."  The one pinball machine I have is painted white inside - cabinet and backbox.  Although it's so dirty in there it's hard to tell.  I can't say for sure but it looks original, settings cards stapled up around the pcb's, etc.

[redketchup]

I own 10 pinball right now and none of them is paint inside!

[JustMichael]

Painting will help seal the wood (mdf and plywood) and protect it from moisture.  Also bare wood tries to hang on to the dust more than painted wood when you are cleaning the cabinet out.

[TopJimmyCooks]

@Redketchup:  I must have picked up the rare and exotic Bally Globetrotters LE edition.  Hopefully it's worth a lot more than I paid!  

Seriously, maybe somebody painted it inside because the trim around the backbox has obviously been repainted and the color looks the same.  I'll post a pic when i get home.  

I painted the inside of my cab, although I really don't know why I did it. I don't think I will bother next time, nobody sees it except me.

It's something you do for your own personal satisfaction, I think.  Certainly not for your neighbor's snot nosed kids who are button mashing and beating your machine like a red headed stepchild - they don't care.  

[DaveMMR]

I didn't paint the inside of my cab and I sort of wish I did.