[sdiy] Attack of the Newbie II: Questions

[J. Larry Hendry]

----- Original Message -----
From: John Greczula <xeno at xenoweb.com>
1. Has anyone ever had any faceplate items powder coated? If so,
was it expensive?

Hi John,   Larry Hendry here from the MOTM list.  I have experience with
both powdercoat and wet paint contractors for  synth related work.  Dave
Bradley and I are the ones that make MOTM look-a-like Stooge panels for
other modules like the Blacet Time Machine and Oakley PCBs.

I recently had 500 pieces powdercoated (flat rails for MOTM cabinets).  Here
is a link to my web site that shows you the part.
http://www.wiseguysynth.com/larry/flatrail/flatrail.htm  Powdercoat seems to
be a very good coating for adhesion and to make sure you stop rust.
However, I am not sure it is a good finish for putting panel graphics on top
of.  Powerdercoat really does nothing to hide any imperfections in the
underlying metal.  They show right through.  But, to give you an idea of
cost for this service, I paid 65 cents each to get these coated because I
will willing to let him slip them in with other orders (black is popular).
If I had insisted he do them all at once he had quoted me 85 cents each.

The paint coating that Paul uses for his MOTM panels is the same coating we
use for our matching MOTM panels.  It is a wet paint applied in two coats.
First a smooth coat is used to cover and adhere to the metal (after primer
of course).  The a "splatter" type coat is added that gives the panel
texture.  Everything about this process is expensive.  The paint is Sherwin
Williams Polane T.  But, by the time you buy the primer, the catalyst and
reducer required for all of these, you have over $200 invested.  Granted,
that will paint a lot of metal though.  It really sticks well to the metal.
Labor to paint a panel like that is not cheap either.  It takes a craftsman
to get a nice looking product.

It sounds as if graphics and screening is something you have a system
planned for.  If you want the MOTM finish duplicated on some of your own
metal, I might me able to help you with that with my painter.  And, if you
are looking for something to rack up with your MOTM stuff with your own
graphics, Paul does sell blank panels that match the MOTM panels.

Best,
Larry Hendry