Priming control panel?

[zaxxonderek]

I'm about to take my missile command CP down to metal. Am I supposed to prime the metal then paint flat black, then put CPO after that?

[whammoed]

If you are planning on using enamel spray paint, generally you don't have to use primer but there are those who think it helps.

Now, here is what I would do:  Take your parts down to bare metal and take them to your local powdercoater.  They do black all the time and you will likely be able to find one that will "throw in" your parts on a run for about $5 a part.  The finish will last a lifetime and there is no cure time like there is for enamel paint.

[zaxxonderek]

Thanks 4 the tip. Then the CPO goes over the power coat, correct?

[RayB]

Thanks 4 the tip. Then the CPO goes over the power coat, correct?

Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing. Powdercoating does NOT "last a lifetime" (I have plenty of flaking, rusted parts to prove it), but the real question is, does he need to paint at all if applying an overlay?

[mahuti]

Spray witha a rust blocking primer, then apply the overlay. Dont' worry about powerdercoating if you are never going to see the coats... just use primer, it's very inexpensive. If you use something that has a built in rust inhibitor, you'll be better off in the long run. The rust will attack the paint instead of the metal.

[whammoed]

On a control panel indoors it will "last a lifetime".  Geez, don't take it literally.  Yes, I have some powder coated torches outside that show some rust.  If hes restoring it, the missile command cpo does not cover the whole panel I believe, so yes he will need some sort of finish.  The point is the powder coat is 10x more durable and won't have that bare metal showing along the edge as fast that is all too common on the classic metal panels.  Enamel will do fine.  Look for a thread on restoring coin doors, you will get some good advice on "baking" on the finish in a conventional oven.
If you do go with the powdercoat you won't regret it.  A few extra dollars well spent IMO.  I speak from experience, I have used both enamel paint and powdercoat on metal panels.

[Arcadiac]

You may also want to put a coat of gloss enamel over the rust-inhibiting primer.
Yes it will need to cure but I would want something smoother that the cpo would adhere to better than just plain flat primer.  BTW, I took my metal cpo to a metalshop before painting and they put it in an abrader(sp?).  Took off everything that was there, including the glue and other crap that had accumulated thru its various incarnations, no sanding needed.  Bare metal, rustoleum type primer and a couple coats of gloss emanel.  Worked for me, may be overkill for others.  See my posts/pics #32-34 here for reference:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?board=10%3baction=display%3bthreadid=17788
Good Luck, ARCADIAC!

[mahuti]

If parts of your metal CPO show, then I would agree with whammoed's recommendation of some type of finish as well. Either powdercoat or gloss enamel will work fine. Even indoors rust CAN be an issue.... but a minor one if you keep drinks away from the cabinet. All of the cabinets I've picked up have rusting on the CPOs which has caused stains on the  overlays. Again, this is probably not a major consideration as whammoed mentioned.

[RayB]

Wish I knew this before-hand.
I put a new overlay on my Galaga 3 years ago... I put it directly on the metal panel (no paint, no primer).

[mahuti]

Oh well. It's not a big deal. Don't worry about.