To Fill in or Not to Fill in that is the question!

[LucidLight]

I am wrapping up on cutting my control panel. I have recessed the carriage bolts and will be recessing the trackball plate/mount so that it all is below the plexiglass. My question is do I need to fill in the top of the holes (1/2 inch) of the bolts and the seam around of the trackball mount? I am concerned that the holes or the seams might show through the artwork. I don’t have problem using bondo or wood filler, but rather not if it is not necessary. Or should the artwork be glued to the plexiglass instead so if I ever need to get to the bolts to replace a joystick?

[Donkbaca]

I would fill the holes. No reason to ever need to take them out unless you are going to replace the entire stick with an entirely different one. The bolts just hold the base in place, if you ever need to replace the shaft or switches or spring, you can access them from the bottom.

[orchidius]

First of all, rest assured, you do not NEED to fill the holes. I didn't fill mine at all and they don't show at all. I didn't fill them for a couple of reasons: first of all the stuff I was using at the time was some of the worst material I've ever worked with (you would fill it, but it would shrink. Even after a couple days, so sanding it down didn't really help unless you wanted to wait a week or two before sanding). Secondly I was worried the vibrations of playing the joystick vigurously might break the bondo loose and thereby show through your artwork (if you get what I mean).

Anyways, long story short, no real need to do so.

[VanillaGorilla]

You could fill them, but use something easily reversible. I like Durabond Topping Compound. This is a gypsum based 'final coat' quick drying, light-weight filler. It will get you what you are looking for, a level surface under your artwork, and if you need to get at a bolt or two, you could easily remove it again.

Alternatively, skip the filler entirely, print your artwork on polycarbonate, and layer that between the cp surface and the plexi, retained by your buttons in a nice sandwich. Then you can just pop your artwork off/out whenever you need to. The polycarbonate is tough. Printed vinyl, or paper is not, and always seems to get damaged when you open up the control panel 'layer'.

[orchidius]

My artwork is printed on plain paper from the printer where I work, I didn't fill any holes or gaps, and it looks flawless.