Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Grec on July 04, 2011, 02:46:22 pm

Title: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: Grec on July 04, 2011, 02:46:22 pm

Hey guys, I finished my MAME cabinet a few months ago, (converted from an old Juno First cab), and decided I wanted to repaint the sides black (the paint is starting to chip). What steps should I take when I do this, also what type of paint and brush should I use? (spray paint is out of the question since I am painting inside)

Title: Re: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: drventure on July 04, 2011, 04:13:05 pm

Strip and or sand it to get a good smooth surface to work with.

Then prime and sand, repeat till the surface is very clean/smooth.

Then paint. For something like this, i'd use a good roller, probably a foam roller for a smooth finish.

If you're going black, I can't imagine a brush giving a satisfactory finish.

Title: Re: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: Grec on July 05, 2011, 01:50:47 pm

Thanks for the advice. Any idea on which type of paint to use? Latex? Acrylic?

Title: Re: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: drventure on July 05, 2011, 01:58:06 pm

Probably not latex. It's easier to put on (water clean up and all), but it won't wear near as well as an enamel or a lacquer. I'd probably go with a good oil based enamel.

Hopefully someone else with a little more exp will chime in. I know that Ond used an automotive finish (I believe lacquer) on his cab (the retro futuristic arcade). You might want to check his thread.

And finally, probably go with a semigloss. Gloss requires a really good base or every little imperfection will show. Flat could work too, depending on the look you're after.

Title: Re: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: Grec on July 07, 2011, 05:49:45 pm

Thanks a bunch for the help. I sanded, and applied my first coat today, it's looking pretty good.

Title: Re: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: drventure on July 07, 2011, 06:38:23 pm

Great news. Post pics when you can!

Title: Re: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: Grec on July 13, 2011, 07:56:54 pm

Finished a few days ago. Here's a before and after (I also made a stencil for the MAME logo, using spray paint to paint it.
(http://i.imgur.com/IqG8g.jpg)

Title: Re: Repainting old cabinet
Post by: quintinbiker on September 22, 2011, 03:39:25 am

Looks very good :D

I made the mistake, actually a few mistakes on my cabinet that i want to fix still, but to scaired, my girlfriend might give me the hairy eye ball for taking my cabinet apart again lol well...

Would want to repaint my cabinet with a roller, used a paint brush but came out ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, to say the least.
My screen is pushing against my plexi. Would like my cp to be a bit bigger, and few stuff here and there....