Advice prepping panel for artwork please

[Jimbo]

I've got 3 panels to prep for the artwork I've just received from GameOnGrafix for my rotating CP project.  Each panel has either aluminium joystick mounting plates or some clear plexiglass (for edge lighting) to cover up.  I have some filler to fill in around the edges of the mounting plates/plexi and the screw holes etc, but due to the CP design and difficulty in lining up the artwork as accurately as possible, I'd really prefer to wet-apply the CPO so I need the panels completely non-porous before application.  Scott at GOG has assured me that this should be fine with the adhesive-backed polybanner overlays he's sent me.

So I have in mind one of the following options...

1) watered-down PVA glue
2) shellac sanding sealer
3) nitrocellulose lacquer spray

I need something that will adhere to plywood, aluminium and plexiglass to make the whole CP surface uniform/flat and non-porous.

Before I go ahead and experiment with the above methods on some off-cuts, I thought I'd try and save some time and energy by asking for some advice on here.  As you can see in the photo, the CPO also has to wrap around the 60 degree edges at the front and rear of each panel.

Any advice welcome!

Thanks

[EMDB]

There's really no need to wet apply the polycarbon CP overlay as it is so thick it will not leave air bubles  or crease. Just sand, primer  and sand and it will attach just fine.

Regarding the lining up: I used a flashlight to light from below and perfectly position the overlay. Fixate it with clamps and just than peel of the adhese layer from one side and stick it to the CP. Afterwards I cut out the holes for the buttons / sticks with my router using the flush bit

[Jimbo]

Hey thanks - your panel looks great.  Nice idea with the flashlight and clamps.     What primer do you recommend?

 

[EMDB]

Hey thanks - your panel looks great.  Nice idea with the flashlight and clamps.     What primer do you recommend?

 

Any will do I guess...

[shayvidas]

woww nice mounting for your Joystick !!! can you pls explain how you mounted it so it will fit like this ?

[EMDB]

woww nice mounting for your Joystick !!! can you pls explain how you mounted it so it will fit like this ?

Disadvantage is you can never unmount / replace it without screwing up the CP overlay. Undermount is the way to go 

[DeLuSioNal29]

I've always used Rustoleum Black Gloss paint.  No need for primer as it's built in.  Once dry and cured, the gloss finish is great for applying artwork with adhesive.


http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rust-Oleum-Universal-Spray-Paint-Gloss-Black/17011121

Edit:  Just make sure you properly mask off the plexi if you are spraying.  You don't want any to ruin the lighting effects!

D

[Jimbo]

woww nice mounting for your Joystick !!! can you pls explain how you mounted it so it will fit like this ?

Disadvantage is you can never unmount / replace it without screwing up the CP overlay. Undermount is the way to go 

I top mounted as I wanted the height of the joystick just right for me.  Undermounting didn't feel right.  Basically I routed out a 2.5mm area for the mounting plate.  The joysticks are dominux8's so luckily I can still replace the shaft/grommet if needed.

[Jimbo]

I've always used Rustoleum Black Gloss paint.  No need for primer as it's built in.  Once dry and cured, the gloss finish is great for applying artwork with adhesive.

Edit:  Just make sure you properly mask off the plexi if you are spraying.  You don't want any to ruin the lighting effects!

D

Thanks - will take a look 

[shayvidas]

woww nice mounting for your Joystick !!! can you pls explain how you mounted it so it will fit like this ?

Disadvantage is you can never unmount / replace it without screwing up the CP overlay. Undermount is the way to go 

sorry for being such a noob...
so wait.. amm.. so you routed a small hole for the square of the joistick and the main plate just sits on top of the wood ? and youve put screws directly to the wood ?
so in theory the height of the metal plate is on top of the wood (sticks out a little bit ?)
sorry again for the noob question

[shayvidas]

i mean how do you make the metal plate so flush with the wood ?

[EMDB]

just route out a pocket exactly the height of the metal plate 

[Jimbo]

i mean how do you make the metal plate so flush with the wood ?

It helps to have access to a CNC router! 

[shayvidas]

i mean how do you make the metal plate so flush with the wood ?

It helps to have access to a CNC router! 

hey if you had a CNC router that's cheating