black contact paper

[pete24]

I have read the pros and cons of using black contact paper and am considering using it on the sides of my cab and on the cp(covered w/ plexi).  There is one question I have though.  I have a guy who is a very good artist that is willing to do some sideart for me.  Is it possible to paint on the black contact paper?  I would think not because it is so smooth, but maybe there is a special kind of paint we can use?  If anyone has any advice, please let me know.

[RayB]

If you follow through with this plan, I will nominate you for CrapMame.

[releasedtruth]

I'll second the nomination

[dudebozo]

yeah, those guys were a bit harsh there buddy, but you should kind of steer away from using contact paper on the sides and stuff.  when i did my first cabinet, my overall skills were pretty weak.  but i still went thru with painting it and stuff.  you should primer it up, kilz2 or something, and then let your friend draw some art or whatnot on the side then.  i think if you wanted to, you could use contact paper for the CP.  the only thing i don't like about using contact paper for the CP is the crease where you can see where you added to it.  i guess it depends on the size of your CP too.  i guess, contact paper is kind of a newbie to mame cabinet thing. 

[releasedtruth]

Haha, I should have been a bit more verbose in my response, that's for sure. I only had a sec to respond. The problem with contact paper isn't just its durability, it's often the look and application that don't sit right with me. You've decided to enter into a rather small club of folks who've taken the time, money, and energy to recreate something wonderful and contact paper screams value! over form and function. Primer and paint is cheap and classic so that's an option. Laminate/vinyl is pricier and more difficult, but true to the genre, so pick what fits your style. If that's contact paper, so be it, but folks often feel disappointed later if they go that route.

[pete24]

Thanks for the constructive criticism.  This is the reason I asked the question here because I knew you guys would know.  My cab has been built for about a year now, but I've never really finished it off(artwork, bezel, marquee).  I did paint my cab with black spray paint when I built it, but I don't like the way it looks(you can still see where the drill holes were)  Can you recommend a certain kind of paint or method to use to make it look nice?  I really do appreciate the help, even if I have to put up with a few sarcastic comments.

[releasedtruth]

Your best bet with paint is a countersunk screw then some bondo/wood filler. That'll get you back in flat smooth town. For painting you'd want a nice primer, maybe a Kilz type, then some nice black paint. Spray paint doesn't come out real even, that's for sure. Rent a sprayer and it'll come out real smooth. Home Depot rents tools in some places or borrow a friends. Always someone that has one somewhere.  Mask off what you need to, etc. Then you're set.

[TehJefe]

Okay, contact paper: bad; vinyl laminate: good. But what about this other, cheap solution:
From http://www.pharaohweb.com/pacman/pacman.html:

  For about $20 you can have this printed on a nice piece of vellum at Kinkos or a similar store - and then tailor-cut it to fit your cabinet

Im not sure how it works or even what it is... but thats a cheap option.
It'd be underneath the glass on my cocktail cabinet's top.