MOTM

Hi Mike!

Well, I'm responding finally to your question.  I've been making all
of my custom panels myself with a variety of colors and lettering
tools.  Lately, panels are sprayed with flat color (Krylon or
Rustoleum)and often given a splattery mist with a contrasting color. 
After these finishes are applied, I spray Krylon matte clear to
prevent skin oil from being absorbed into the flat paint.  Once the
clear is dry (wait at least 12 hours) the lettering is done with a
Sharpie or a gel ink roller pen - the Paper Mate Gelstick is what my
wife had in her office.  Don't tell her what I'm doing with her pens.
  When the ink is dry - I wait about 6-8 hours - the finished panel
gets sprayed with a couple of heavy matte clear coats.

The panels come pre-cut from Metal Express.  Check out their website
at
http://www.metalexpress.net/cgi-bin/index.pl?&ac=acHome&mod=core&sid=149293bfce682bab32262202dd3d011c

They have decent prices and fast turnaround.  Be prepared to file
edges and clean swarf and oil from the aluminum.

I can recommend this finish, but I'm not as picky about consistant
lettering or a certain look.  The Engine of Chaos has a crazy quilt
look about it, but make no mistake - it cares not a whit for your
personal safety!

When finished, I'll add pictures of my new sequencer (Ray Wilson's
circuit) with it's engine-turned (damascened, jeweled, or whatever you
call it) front panel.  This is about as dazzlingly reflective as you
can get!  Add the 17 LED's and it probably should be kept away from
those prone to seizures.

Enjoy...responsibly.  And thanks for inquiring, Mike!

Chub

 --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Metzger, Michael A" <MAMETZGER@P...> wrote:
>
> Hi Chub,
> Happy New Year! You had painted some front panels with primer and then
> pinstriped them. They looked great. And I liked the idea of them being
> non-reflective, too. Since you've lived with them for a while now
can you
> recommend this finish?
> 
> Thanks.
> Mike
>