Protecting a cabinet

[BrianP]

I am just about complete with construction of my cabinet (see my other thread for pictures http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=84197.0).  So, here is my question.

I am just finishing up the painting.  I will be putting some artwork on the sides.

What is the best way to protect your cabinet?  With my cabinet painted a flat black, I am worried about nicks showing in the paint.

Should I put a coat of poly over everything?  Something else to protect it?  If so, I assume I would want to do that after I put the stickers on?

What kind of poly?  I went with a flat black to avoid the cabinet being 'shiny' so I would hate to put a shine in with poly.

Opinions?

[leapinlew]

I am just about complete with construction of my cabinet (see my other thread for pictures http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=84197.0).  So, here is my question.

I am just finishing up the painting.  I will be putting some artwork on the sides.

What is the best way to protect your cabinet?  With my cabinet painted a flat black, I am worried about nicks showing in the paint.

Should I put a coat of poly over everything?  Something else to protect it?  If so, I assume I would want to do that after I put the stickers on?

What kind of poly?  I went with a flat black to avoid the cabinet being 'shiny' so I would hate to put a shine in with poly.

Opinions?

My opinion is to not worry about it. You built it, if anything happens you can fix it. It's an arcade game and it's meant to take some abuse. I don't worry about my builds. I let people play them like they would a real arcade game (minus the cigarettes on the control panel).

Enjoy it while it's new and pristine, but expect it'll gain some character as the months wear on.

[nox771]

I went with a flat black to avoid the cabinet being 'shiny' so I would hate to put a shine in with poly.

Polyurethane has several gloss levels, you can use a satin poly to keep the shine down.  Personally I think the poly route is a good way to go if the cab is painted.  It's essentially covering it in a layer of plastic.  I've used both satin and glossy polys in the past and I think the glossy gives it a harder protective finish, but that may just be subjective (ie. it looks that way because it's all shiny).  Satin is arguably easier to apply since you won't be worried about every little bit of dust getting into the finish.

Spray enamels and spray poly are another route, but I think those are always high gloss.

Oh and I would definitely recommend an oil based poly over a water based one.  I've never gotten good results with water based poly.

[DeLuSioNal29]

If you do go the poly route, I would put the sticker on AFTERWARDS.  If for some reason you don't like the finish, you can't sand it and paint over it because of the decal.  Plus, the decals are not meant to be painted on.  Who knows if the adhesive underneath will hold or not.