Any experience with white-painted panels?

[Stormrider]

I suppose this color will show stains, dirt, etc much better than other colors. This happens specially in the area where hands are in contact with the surface. This has happened to me with a panel painted in silver, which has diffuse stains which cannot be removed. Now, I pressume that if I add lacquer after the paint this wouldn't be a problem, right? I do know lacquer protect paint from scratches, etc, but also from stains? Do any of you have a white or bright-coloured panel with a coat of lacquer and that can tell me about its resistance to stains?

[fjl]

You can paint it whatever color you want. Most of us put plexi over the CP not only to avoid stains but damage like scratches and normal wear and tear.

[Turnarcades]

Have you already got a white-painted cabinet you are looking to keep pristine or are you looking to convert one that colour? Even lacquered surfaces will wear through over time, and stains generally appear because of bacterial dirt and grease becoming embedded in minute surface scrathes, even in lacquer.

[NickG]

  I suggest easy to clean white laminate and/or second efjayel's suggestion of using a replaceable transparent plastic sheet if your control panel design allows for either.
  However, in your concept pictures for your desktop panel, it looks as though you are going for a roundover look on the edges.  If that's the case, I suggest using the same material as the buttons (vinyl)  instead of wood for your control panel.  They are likely to be composed of vinyl.  You can get opaque white vinyl sheet online from plastic distributors or places like Mcmaster-carr.  The stuff might yellow or fade over time, though - at the same rate as your white button parts.