Should I paint my control panel or order an overlay???

[Igorr]

After spending some time reading some posts on here I am even most confused about what to do.

I am building a Mame using a 1991 Spiderman Cab.  I thought that the original 4 player cp was small and I wanted to add more buttons to have a total of 6 per person.

Well I designed the cp, cut it out and drilled the holes.  I think it looks pretty good.

Then I kinda figured the painting would be the easy part.  I put on 2 coats of kilz primer and bought a red tinted water based enamel paint from Sherman Williams.

Well I think it looks nice in the pics, but up close it kinda sucks.  I used a foam roller and you can see the lines in it still, even with 4 coats of paint.  Also, its rough.  I also painted a small test piece the same way.  I sanded it with light sand paper (probably too rough) and then painted it again and it was smoother, but the color was not as nice.

I am debating on where to order a cp overlay and be done with it OR to try to fix my crappy paint job.

Suggestions? 

Overlay, where can I find one that is NOT specific, since all my holes are already drilled?

It doesnt have to be anything spectacular, just black or red or have some simple design on it.  Can anyone on here make one for me?
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Igorr/Spidermame%20Cabinet/

[severdhed]

are you planning on installing plexiglass on your panel?  one thing that looks really nice is spray painting the back side of the plexiglass a solid color.  it gives it a very smooth glossy look, it is durable and is easy to do.

[Igorr]

I was not planning on it since I used 3/4 inch MDF and i bought 3/4 inch t molding.  The glass would stick above the molding.

[Franco B]

You could 'do a mountain™' and bevel the bottom 1/8" (or 1/4" etc) of the CP. You would need to raise the slot by 1/8" (or 1/4" etc) and then 1/8" (or 1/4" etc) thick plexi would sit flush with the t-moulding. I would advise filling the original t-moulding slot so it doesn't break when you hammer the t-moulding into the higher slot.

[Igorr]

Thanks for the idea.  That would work, I am just worried about filling in that gap and then re-routering.  About it not working, or me messing something up.  Could I just glue an overlay on top and call it a day??   I think that is what I am going to do. 

How can make me an overlay?

[Franco B]

If you are concerned you could easily make another CP top by clamping your current one to a fresh piece of MDF and then use a flush trim bit to route the CP top, you could also use it as a drilling jig and use the existing holes to guide your drill bit to drill the new holes.

If you are going to use a overlay then I would use a fresh piece of wood as you want a nice flat surface to apply the graphic to to avoid air bubbles.

Mamemarquess do a range of polycarbonate laminated self adhesive [generic CP overlays].

[Igorr]

Hey thanks.  I really tried to find some just generic type overlays and couldnt.  Some are pretty nice. 

Do you think if I gave that top a good sanding, then put on the overlay?  Its not the money involved, its the time and effort that I really dont want to spend.  The piece of mdf was only 7.50.  The time to cut the angles, route, drill holes, blah blah blah, I really dont want to do again.  This thing is not going to go to any show or anything.  I do want it nice though. 

Sanding work you think??

EDIT!!

Well I am an idiot.   I went down and measured my top.  I had ALL intentions of just painting it and having it work, so I really didnt care about the size of it.  It is big, but I dont think that it looks bad.

Well anyway.  My top is 24 inches wide and 49.25 inches long.  The sizes on that site, the width only goes to 23 inches and 49, or 50 long. 

So, I guess I am screwed?  I was trying to find a contact link for them so I could email or call them to ask if they could make me one, but it is not given.

Can I get one made that is 24 by 49.25??

[ViperStrike]

Yes you can get one made at that size, you can even just get it 24 x 50 and have your design overlap on the sides.
Then just trim off the extra with a sharp blade.

And sanding the surface with fine sandpaper should be fine.

[Igorr]

I can get one at that size from that site?  I didnt see where I could plug in my size.  Do you know where or how to contact them?

[Dudeman]

Do you have a sign shop near you? if you are just wanting a solid color, they can cut a piece of vinyl just about any size you want.

[Igorr]

I guess that would work but I want a thing a overlay as I can get so it wont stick above my tmolding. 

[orion]

"Well anyway.  My top is 24 inches wide and 49.25 inches long.  The sizes on that site, the width only goes to 23 inches and 49, or 50 long.

So, I guess I am screwed?  I was trying to find a contact link for them so I could email or call them to ask if they could make me one, but it is not given.

Can I get one made that is 24 by 49.25??"

Mamemarquees will make the cpo any size you like. On the order page there should be a spot where you can type in the exact dimensions you need. I picked up a a semi Custom CPO from them a few months ago (they did a slight modification on one of thier stock pieces) and they do good work.

[Igorr]

I saw that, but where it says (Cp size) they do not go over 24 inches.  Thats what was confusing me.  So I should pic the 23x50 one?  And then just trim off what I dont need?  What should I use to trim?

[Igorr]

So should just order the 23X49 one, but plug in my size 24X49.25?  Should I get a full size template printed?  What would that do?  OR is that the full size thing that I need to put down?

[web.geek]

  Why don't you email Scott at info@mamemarquees.com and ask him?

[nickynooch]

when you get the CPO is it good to drill the buttons on your control panel BEFORE or AFTER putting the CPO over it?

Thanks,
Nick

[ViperStrike]

Before, you will most likely rip the overlay if you drill through it.

[Igorr]

Why don't you email Scott at info@mamemarquees.com and ask him?

Thanks SOO much.  Thats really all I needed.  I couldnt find any contact info on his site.  I didnt want to order something and pay 100 bucks and have it NOT be what I needed.  Thanks a ton, I am going to email him tonight.