laminate CP-art?

[RonnnL]

I'm planning the lay-out of a arcade cabinet for home use, but am not really sure how to cover the top of the control panel.

Is it necessary to laminate a design for my control panel before putting it on and covering it with plexiglass? Or is it o.k. to just use a printed design without laminating, and putting plexiglass on top of that.

Maybe I even don't need the plexiglass, but i'm a bit worried what spilled beer / sweat will do with the laminated art.

And what do you use to protect a control panel when you only want black paint on it, and no other customised design?

Hints/tips regarding this are more than welcome...

[spystyle]

I did'nt laminate my CPO before applying the lexan, however a spray-on clear coat could only help in the event of spillage, I've read that lexan on the cpo traps the liquid in-between, so make sure your lexan is removable.