EHX Nano-like finish for my stompboxes?

[alex_spaceman]

Hey there,

I tried to have a search in the forum and the web but haven't found a clear answer to my question.

I want to finish a few projects with a top decal over the bare looking box a bit like the electro harmonix nano series (the small stone/clone etc are good examples http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/19/001/190/177/DV020_Jpg_Jumbo_150080_top.jpg).

What layers of coats would i need for this? Still primer/laquer/decal/laquer or could I get away with decal/laquer only as I don't want any colors, texture etc? Or would i still need a primer to give the laquer (and/or decal?) something to grip onto?

Thank you very much in advance for any input/suggestion!

Alex

[runmikeyrun]

Hey alex,

All primers are colored, so any primer you spray will cover the box's natural look.  Decal and two or three coats of clear would do it.  Before you spray the box, make sure the decal and the clear coat are compatible- spray one of your decals off the box to make sure the decal doesn't melt and that the colors don't run.

EDIT: Forgot to add, you can clean the box first with acetone or lacquer thinner if you want, but i've never had a problem with paint sticking to boxes without cleaning them
.

[deadastronaut]

ahhh another londoner, welcome... :   

armando does this....looks similar to what you want...

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=95494.msg828060#msg828060

[AdamM]

Maybe something from these people could get quite close - although I haven tried them (yet)

http://www.diginate.com/

[alex_spaceman]

Hey Adam and Rob, cheers to both for your heads up.

Both interesting points, but luckily i can get some high quality decals printed for me, so for the first couple tries I'll stick with the freebie decals and clear coat as pointed out by Mike.

I'm hoping this bare version (decal + clear coats) will bare good results as it's simple and economical (both in terms of time and money), but I will be quick to test other techniques/suppliers should anything go wrong.

Still, any further input is much appreciated. I would imagine it's a pretty common way to finish the boxes, so if anyone has any experience I'd be more than glad to hear their experiences, tips and tricks

[CynicalMan]

I own a couple of the nanos and I can tell you that they don't use decals. I think they're screen printed, but I'm not sure exactly. There's also no clear coat, but I doubt that there's any DIY solution that could get by without it.

[roseblood11]

Search for "Cera Mia" transfer foil...
It's available for laser and inkjet printers, both white and clear foils