Finishing: Paint, Vinyl, shellac, or varnish (Suggestions?)

[Tiger-Heli]

I am planning on building multiple desktop arcade control panels (swappable consoles, not swappable CP's).  Construction is 1"x?" whitewood sides and 3/8" plywood top panel wood.  No one in the house drinks, so I'm not worried about anything really spilling on it, and I'm not worried about anyone hitting or abusing it.  I don't want the additional cost, complexity, or thickness of plexi/Lexan.

I had decided on a finish similar to the OzStick as shown here: http://home.iprimus.com.au/ozstick/prod_joy.html (i.e., I was planning on using flat black textured vinyl for the cp top).  Chris sells this but he wants $8.00 (plus shipping to the States) for a 16.5x22.5" square of it, which would be reasonable, but I plan four 12 inch wide panels, one 20 inch wide panel, and one 16 inch panel, so I would need at least 4 panels.  $32.00 is too much just for top covering.

I found the following on E-bay:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2044095410 for $11.99 (shipping included) for a 10 foot roll, which would be plenty.  Problem is, this is smooth glossy black, so the equation changes a little.

Flat black sides with a shiny black top would look silly.

I have narrowed it down to four options:  gloss black paint with gloss black vinyl CP, Shellac/Varnish with gloss black vinyl CP, gloss black paint all over, or flat black paint all over.

Here are my thoughts/Questions:

I could use gloss black for the sides.  If so, would there be any point in using the vinyl on the top instead of just painting it gloss black (I realize I would not have to worry about drips with the vinyl, but assuming I get a smooth finish. . .)  One thing I am thinking is that fingerprints might show on the paint and would just wipe off the vinyl, which would be enough to tip the scales in the vinyl's favor.

If I am considering just using paint, I could paint the sides and top with flat black and not use the vinyl at all.  My concern here is the oil from hands resting on it affecting the finish, the paint rubbing off onto hands, or accidental soda or water spills affecting the finish.

Another option would be to varnish/shellac the sides and then use the vinyl on the top wood.  This would coordinate with my desk which is pecan woodgrain contact paper edges and a black formica writing surface (stuck in the 80's, I know, but it's functional).

I also have the following general questions:

What kind of paint should I use (enamel or lacquer?, water or oil based?)

Do I need to use a primer before I throw the color paint on it?

We always used shellac for all the woodworking projects growing up.  This was applied to unprimed wood.  What is the difference between shellac and varnish and which would be better for this project, if I use one of these?

Finally, here is a side view of my planned Star Wars controller panel: http://www.fraggersxtreme.com/museum/Temp/yokesideview.png  I am wondering if a shiny finish on the top wood will cause glare on the monitor.  I don't think so as most of the light is overhead and in front of the desk (at my back), but could anyone comment.

Sorry for such a long post, thanks in advance!!!!

[neuromancer]

If you use different materials (i.e. plywood and lumber) it is best to prime, to ensure getting the same color everywhere.

I have used epoxy appliance paint on wood. It's pretty tough stuff. It has a finish between glossy and flat, so fingerprints and stuff don't show much.

If you use paint (instead of varnish) it's easy to use wood filler on all the cracks in the plywood to get a super smooth finish.

Here's another idea that might be original to me: I wanted a table on my porch, and I had a cast iron cafe table base. I also had a leftover sheet of plywood, but the plywood was in sort of rough shape. My solution was to use Bondo as a filler. It sands "plastic smooth" easily and holds paint well.

Bob

[rampy]

Here are my thoughts/Questions:

I could use gloss black for the sides.  If so, would there be any point in using the vinyl on the top instead of just painting it gloss black (I realize I would not have to worry about drips with the vinyl, but assuming I get a smooth finish. . .)  

One thing I am thinking is that fingerprints might show on the paint and would just wipe off the vinyl, which would be enough to tip the scales in the vinyl's favor.

If I am considering just using paint, I could paint the sides and top with flat black and not use the vinyl at all.  My concern here is the oil from hands resting on it affecting the finish, the paint rubbing off onto hands, or accidental soda or water spills affecting the finish.
I also have the following general questions:

Granted I'm pretty inept on some of the hardware construction type stuff... but my impression is that glossy paints are the strongest and easiest to clean ( see this article at lowes  )  but is most likely to show imperfections.... so I guess surface preparation is key.

Creating a faux-bondo/wood filler perfectly smooth finish sounds like an interesting idea if your wood is pitted/uneven etc...

I'd suggest getting a tinted primer as it will cut down on the number of coats you'll need to get the effect you want with a dark color(learned that one the hardway - six coats of deep red on my 1/2 bath =(    )

I don't really know what to recommend, honestly...

I'm going with an eggshell/satin black finish paint... we'll see  how it comes out.  If I want it to be more glossy I can always put some clear coat over it....  although that probably doesn't help in your situation, sorry....

Could you do the whole thing in vinyl or maybe instead of black top get a complimentary color like grey or grey speckle with black sides*shrug*?

Good luck...

rampy

[ErikRuud]

You can go with a stain, and water based poly-urathane like I did.



Min Wak make water based clear coats that come in gloss and satin finishes. I used a glos finish on my CP, but I have used the satin on other projects and it has a nice sheen.

[hyiu]

is that a kidsball trackball ?? (I think its called Crayola trackball nowsadays ??)

[rampy]

is that a kidsball trackball ?? (I think its called Crayola trackball nowsadays ??)

It looks like it is! Hey Erik I've been dying to hear how a kidsball/crayola trackball feels in comparison to an arcade trackball...  

Please advise if you could..

Thanks!

rampy

[hyiu]

actually, I got one late last week.... heee heee    

overstock.com has it on sale for $29.99....
I think its like $32-33 including S&H....

I'm using Windows ME and it just plugs and play...
I can play Mame32 without any pblm...

and for the play "feel"....
since I did not play a lot of trackball games during
the old time, its hard for me to comment/compare.....
(sorry...)

I haven't have a chance to open it up yet... but from
what I see, should have no pblm in mounting it....

is there anything you would like me to try/test to tell
you how it is ??

so far, I'm satisfy with it....
   

[ErikRuud]

Yes, that is a KidsBall/Crayola Ball.

I like it, it works well fo me, and I did very little to mod it. The two white buttons are wired to the mouse buttons on the KidsBall, and I is mounted inot a cut out in my CP.

1Up also uses a Kids ball for his CP.  He cut away most of the case and mounted it in a plastic project box.

It has been a long time since I played on a real Missile Command, but the KidsBall seems to be about right. It helps if you lube the bearings inside.



This picture shows how I finally wound up mounting it.