Do you paint underneath the artwork?

[javeryh]

I'm building a cocktail and I am going to be applying artwork that will cover the entire top.  Should I still paint it black underneath (the artwork is going to have a primarily black background)?  If so, do I need to finish it smooth with poly too like the rest of the cab?  There is going to be smoked glass on top of the entire thing like a standard midway cab...

Thanks!

[NoOne=NBA=]

I usually put at least a few coats of spray clear-coat on anything I'm going to be applying vinyl to.
That will give it more area to adhere to, and vinyl sticks better to the smoother surface.

The smoother you get the surface underneath, the smoother your art will be on top.

[javeryh]

so a few thin coats of paint sanding in between and then 2 (or so) thin coats of poly (also sanding in between) should be OK?

[javeryh]

Any other thoughts?  I'm going to try and finish the top this weekend. I'm going to paint, sand and seal it and get it as flat as possible for the artwork application...

[Timoe]

I just used a latex primer under mine.  Two coats, because the wood just drinks up the first coat, THEN I sand then a third coat then sand again with like a 200-300 grit paper.  Let it sit over night and then wipe it clean and apply.

I dont know about the clear coat.  I've never tried that