Paint and Vinyl/Artwork?

[rdmustang]

I'm about to start painting my cabinet this weekend (built from scratch using MDF).  I'm also in the process of designing artwork that I am going to have printed at mamemarquees.com.

My questions is... what has everyone done UNDER the vinyl (or whatever the proprietary material that they use).  I was planning on using just the primer that I already have (latex) but I just read on mamemarquees not to use latex paint.

I'd like to hear what others have done (bare wood, latex/other primer, paint, etc?). 

[MYX]

I have used oil based paint with MAME Marquee's stuff and it worked great.

[johnvv]

What has worked for me (and seen others use):

- Two layers of oil-based primer to protect and control the wood/mdf/particle boad.  Sand, sand, sand between coats.

- if you art has transparent or opaque areas/material, then a color coat of oil-based paint works.  Wet sand the paint (600 grit+).

The above gets the surface really smooth.  Thin vinyl will show any underlying surface 'warts.'  Thicker vinyl is more forgiving of a surface imperfections.

[rdmustang]

My art has no transparency (at least for now)..

I already have latex primer and paint..  Will I ruin the artwork by using the latex?  Would it be worth the $10-$15 or whatever to go ahead and get oil-based primer?

[johnvv]

I understand that latex paint will lose adhesion (don't the the technical paint term) to the wood surface unless properly cured.  That means drying for several weeks.  I don't know if that applies to latex primer.

The value of going back to oil-based probably depends on the value of you art and your time.  Given the overall effort you are likely putting into this, I'd go buy an oil-based primer (Killz is a brand I use).

Check out the painting section at rgvac.com:

http://www.rgvac.com/restoration.asp?projid=16

With MDF, you should definitely prime to protect it from possible water/humidity damage down the road.  Just use a small roller to apply it and then sand with 200+ grit to get real smooth.  Get some tack cloths (~$2) to pick up all the residual primer and dust on the sides before apply the art.

[MovingTarget]

I used latex based Kilz, 1 coat, 3 coats of Latex black paint.  Sanded and used tack cloth between each layer.  Applied mamemarquee's sideart, went on fine and looks good. 

Only been on my cabinet for a couple of weeks though.  Artwork was probably applied 2-3 weeks after the last coat of paint went on so it had a lot of time to cure.

[Timoe]

I used water based kilz (latex) primer and have had no problems.  Just let it dry for a couple of days and you'll be fine.

[WaRpEd]

I use 1 coat of Latex-based Kilz for basecoat , Then sand with 120 grit sandpaper tack off thouroughly then 3 top-coats of oil based Rustoleum Industrial paint ( about $ 20.00 a gallon) sanding with 400 grit sandpaper between cured coats this gives a tough long lasting finish. Remember that the paint job only looks as good as the surface underneath.
Cheers

[rdmustang]

I use 1 coat of Latex-based Kilz for basecoat , Then sand with 120 grit sandpaper tack off thouroughly then 3 top-coats of oil based Rustoleum Industrial paint ( about $ 20.00 a gallon) sanding with 400 grit sandpaper between cured coats this gives a tough long lasting finish. Remember that the paint job only looks as good as the surface underneath.
Cheers

Thanks for all the feedback!  I'm not worried about the painting part.. I'm worried about the artwork part and the possibility of bubbles under the artwork.. I'm looking at ~$250 in artwork and don't want it to be wasted.  I don't mind spending the extra $ for new primer but 1) I don't like doing things that aren't necessary, and 2) latex is much easier to work with as it cleans up much easier.

Anyone else have any experience with priming or painting under artwork?