How to cover my Cabinet

[Mah_Freend_Amee]

I am new to the board and have just built my first cabinet today.  I am using 1/2 inch MDF and am wondering what I can cover it with.  Will house paint of spray paint work or will it look bad?  What is the most popular cover?

[SirPeale]

Cream cheese.  The kind with olive chunks.

[DrewKaree]

where do you get the olive chunk stuff?  I can't find it, and the olive chunks will go GREAT with my cab's color scheme.  

[SirPeale]

I think you have to roll your own.  This IS "Build Your OWN Arcade Controls" after all.

[pointdablame]

ahhh, I just love this board.

To the original poster, you have a few options really, and a search might bring up even more options.  I'd say most people paint their cab.  Use a good primer and a good roller for a smooth finish.  I would guess spray paint would work, although its quite a large area to cover and I would think it would be more prone to running.  You can also laminate the cab with..... well... laminate.  This is pricier than paint.  You can also stain it if you are using furniture grade wood (but you're not, just thought I'd mention it though).  You could also cover it with side are/vinyl printed stickers.

Me, I'd also vote for the cream cheese... or peanut butter... mmmmm, peanut butter.

[Apollo]

mdf is a great choice to paint, if you were going to laminate you're probably better off with ply.
Prime first, light sand then prime again, light sand then 2-3 coats of oil based semi-gloss with a very light sand in between ( making sure to wait at least 24hrs between coats, some decent side art and you should have a good looking cab. Avoid spraying unless you're a pro it tends to cause runs as stated above.

[Rawker]

use melamine paint and thank me later

[Stingray]

Throw an old blanket over it.

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I used automotive enamel (with lots of hardener additive) and sprayed it using a comressor & professional paint gun. It's all purty & shiny.  

-S

[Mr. Dude]

I used black formica.

[hyiu]

I'd say paint also....

but I don't really like cream cheese...
you guys should try using butter... and then add a little sugar... that is VERY GOOD !!!.... and yes, toast it first....
but not well done....

ps: use real butter... don't use those stupid plant / chemical substitutes....

[GamingGreg]

Unless your skilled at this, spray paint is hard to get to look okay.  You'd go through a lot of cans before it looked okay.  I'd use a gloss or semi-gloss paint with a roller used for smooth wall (thin nap).  (Remember to prime it first).  You'll have much better luck with that.

... Or you could use peanut butter and jelly.  Or maybe honey.  "I'm sorry dear, I really can't leave the arcade. I really am stuck here..."  

[DrewKaree]

Or maybe honey.  "I'm sorry dear, I really can't leave the arcade. I really am stuck here..."  

WE HAVE A WINNER!  Your idea is the best, although for me, the olive chunk cream cheese will accent the buttons and joysticks....although I just saw a package of head cheese at the store and I'm thinking I can work with it.  

Hammerite paint.  Durable, good looking, makes your cab look like hammered metal.  

[flampoo]

I used 76 bottles of model paint.

[MrBond]

I used 76 bottles of model paint.

Yay for efficiency!

First I primed the entire cab twice over.  I started using cheap spray paint, but it just looked bad and would need many coats.  I ended up buying semi-gloss paint with a roller.  Don't go cheap on the paint, this is what people see when they look at your cab afterall!

[Stingray]

always use a brush, spray paint is for cars

How many genuine arcade cabs were brush painted originally? Mine was originally red (it's now black) and the original red paint had clearly been sprayed on.

-S

[SirPeale]

always use a brush, spray paint is for cars.

Yeah, huh?  Betcha dollars to donuts that the arcade cab companies had a huge spray room for that kind of thing.  Can you imagine them sitting there all day brushing on paint?