What paint is good for painting plywood?

[GroovyTuesdaY]

I am looking to paint my plywood control panel and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for what kind of paint is good and wont peel off and such.
Also, im trying to avoid the look of seeing wood grain through the paint.    
I am not going to use any lexan or plexiglass.

Also, any tips as far as using a primer paint first etc would be greatly appreciated.  

thanks,
g~

[GadgetGeek]

Put on a coat or two of primer.  When I helped my buddy build his cabinet, we used Kilz for the primer.  Cheap and seals it well.  If you are going to be painting a dark color, have them tint it as dark as they can (it will just be gray, but much better than white).  I can't remember the brand name of paint that he used, but look for him to post a reply shortly.  You cannot tell that it is plywood underneath.  He also used a 3" roller and that gave it just a hint of texture.  Almost thought he had applied some of that vinyl that Oscar found at parts express.

[zaphod]

I used a single primer coat of Kilz, which was tinted black at Lowes.  I then painted 3 coats of Valspar Duramax Latex Gloss Enamel with a 3" roller, medium pile.  The 3rd coat gave enough buildup that you no longer could see grain as well as added a bit of texture.  I painted my whole cab this way, too.  A picture:

http://mtrello1.tripod.com/images/CP_Pics/112-1206_IMG.JPG

[GroovyTuesdaY]

I used a single primer coat of Kilz, which was tinted black at Lowes.  I then painted 3 coats of Valspar Duramax Latex Gloss Enamel with a 3" roller, medium pile.  The 3rd coat gave enough buildup that you no longer could see grain as well as added a bit of texture.  I painted my whole cab this way, too.  A picture:

http://mtrello1.tripod.com/images/CP_Pics/112-1206_IMG.JPG

WOW, nice paint job!  It really does look like a laminate or something.      
So what do you think the cost was all in all with the different paints and supplies needed?
I have never really done any kind of painting before with stuff like this.  The most i have ever painted was water colors as a kid LMAO, so any advice would be great.

g~

[u_rebelscum]

Putty any holes.
Sand.
Prime with tinted primer (same type as paint: latex primer if using latex paint, oil primer if using oil based paint).  Let dry.
Sand.
(optional, but recommended) Prime and sand again.
Paint thin first coat (recomend roller or spray) (oil based enamel or latex enamel are "tough" paints, heard acrylics are good too).  Let dry.
Sand.
Paint next coat.  (Number coats depends on the paint you use.  I needed three coats.) Dry. Sand.
Repeat as needed.  (if you want a texture, don't sand as hard and use finer sanding paper).
You can add a couple coats of clear paint at the end, if you want.

Sanding paper:  I'd start with 150-200 for bare wood & primer coats, 180-300 for the under coats.  300 or finer for the final and clear coats (or don't sand these at all if you don't want to/feel lazy .)

I'm not a good painter, so grain of salt and all.

[zaphod]

So what do you think the cost was all in all with the different paints and supplies needed?

I did not sand between coats but I also used cabinet grade plywood and the grain stays down very nicely on it.  Just make sure you wipe the surface down well with a tack cloth or similar before you put the primer coat down.

As far as cost, the gallon of Valspar I bought was around $25.  It was not much more expensive than a pint, if I remember correctly, so I got the larger amount for future use.  However, you won't use much at all for a CP.  A gallon of Kilz was less than $10 and lasts forever.  You will need at least two rollers (or one roller and two pads(?)).  One for the Kilz and one for the paint.  And something to pour the paint into.  And that's it.  This paint has proven to be extremely durable.

Painting with a roller is very easy.  You also don't have to worry about brush strokes.  Good luck.