Sealer over Graphics

[bravesfan]

Does anyone here put sealers over their artwork?   If so, what kind did you use that won't ruin the graphics?

[Bones]

Are you referring to the control panel? Most of that artwork here is covered with Lexan to protect it.

[bravesfan]

More for the sides of the cabinet

[TurboC--]

In the artwork forum someone told me to poly it, I haven't done it yet though.

[Sensei]

I used Poly-Resin for my control panel

You can but whatever artwork you want and then cover it with this goop.

The resin comes as a two-part liquid.  Once mixed you stir the crap out of it for about a minute.  Once it starts thicken you simply pour the whole lot over top of your control panel.
(bubbles can be removed by blowing on them...CO2 from your breath removes even the finest bubbles).
It dries in about 12 hours and cures in 72.

After that you have a resin coating about a qaurter inch thick.  Its like the coating on some slick bar tops.  Tough as crap and looks very slick.  Only problem is greasy finger prints seem to show pretty easy....but it comes of with a quick wipe.

Love this stuff.  Lexan is nice but it scratches and you have to do something about the edges (like hide them beneath metal rails)

[TurboC--]

Well, he wanted protection for the SIDEART though.  I was thinking about poly-ing mine, but I'm not sure if I want that look.  I'll probably see what it looks like after I repaint, the evenness and how durable it is.  Kinda leaning toward leaving it bare paint though. 

[CJK]

I used Poly-Resin for my control panel

<snip>

After that you have a resin coating about a qaurter inch thick.

[bravesfan]

Sensei,

Where did you buy the poly-resin?

[Sensei]

Sorry I don't have any pics.  Perhaps I'll snag my wife's digital camera later and try to take some flattering pics.

As to where I bought it, I went to the local hardware store (I live in a small town) and simply described this stuff to them.  (actuall it was my mom who clued me into this stuff....thanks mom).

I told them it was this resin stuff that you mixed in two parts and then poured them onto a surface to make the equivalent of 200 coats of varnish.

They new exactly what I was talking about but had to order it in.  The next week I went in and picked it up.  It was about $30 CAN.  A little expensive but I thought it was worth it (instead of putting on coat after coat of varnish).

[wintermute]

I built a bar in my house, and I used a product called envirotex lite to pour on a thick finish.  You use a torch or your breath to get the bubbles out, and the finish is really nice, very similar to what you might find on a table at a restrauant.  If you pour it on and leave it alone, it's a very glossy look, but I think there are also instructions for making it come out matte. 

Here's a link: http://www.creative-wholesale.com/Envirotex%20Lite.htm

[BeefyD]

I also used the pour-on poly-resin on my bar.  The finish is smooth and hard as s**t. I love the stuff.  However, I would have a propane torch on hand to create the CO2, because I got stick to my stomach from inhaling the fumes...

BTW, for your control panel, did you then re-drill in the holes? Or did you pour on before drilling???