Show me your 1590A enclosures/pedals...

[rankot]

I first drill holes, then paint sides, trying to paint it as even as I can. It's quite complicated, because I don't have anything better for painting but spray cans, and it seems that paint doesn't stick to aluminium so well, so I have to paint for a few times each layer. And I paint in a basement, so I must warm up the case before painting, or the painting will be even worse:(

After that, I print a sticker using colour laser. I print it on a dedicated white polyethylene self adhesive foil. Then cut holes on a foil. After foil is stuck to case, I paint over it using glossy coating spray.

But the paint is not really tough and can be easily scratched, so I must try to fin another finishing coat. Any suggestion is welcome!

[roseblood11]

and it seems that paint doesn't stick to aluminium so well, so I have to paint for a few times each layer.

Use a primer...

[peterc]

Remember for Aluminium Self-etching primer works best.

Peter

[rankot]

I'll try with primer, thanks!

[vigilante397]

Remember for Aluminium Self-etching primer works best.

HUGE +1 to that. Self-etching primer gives fabulous results on aluminum boxes.

[rankot]

I've bought the only one type of aluminium primer I could found in my town, not sure if it is self-etching.

[temol]

rankot - how about Tayda enclosures? Several colors, powred coated, cheap. At first I used to paint all my naked alu enclosures with spray cans. Now, the only spray I use, it's a clear coat to protect the decal  and I use Tayda painted enclosures, or use non painted aluminum enclosures that I buy locally (I think I buy them at similiar price as painted Tayda boxes). I rarely put a color due to the delicate coating (acrylic) and the cost of the paint.

T.

[rankot]

Interesting, but I live in Serbia 

Ordering anything from USA means huge postage, customs and tax - ordering from China means just wait for a package little bit more.

[temol]

I usually wait 14-18 days for the package (I live in Poland). You can give it a try but wait for the promo code (15% off). Postage cost is acceptable in my opinion. Take the Registered Mail, it costs around $4-$5 for small order.

T.

[thermionix]

Tayda is based in Thailand.  They have a shipping operation in the US but only for US (maybe some Canadian) orders.  An order to Serbia would not come from the US, I think direct from Thailand.

[rankot]

OK, I'll see that. However, since I must put additional transparent layer over the box after I stick the decal, it may be the problem if it is already painted with incompatible color?

[thermionix]

I don't know, I haven't tried painting or clear coating over any powder-coated boxes yet.  It seems Temol does it, maybe he can tell us what kind of finish he uses.

[temol]

I spray paint only waterslide decal, off the enclosure. I do not spray any clear coats after applying the decals. It's easier to replace the decal (if it gets damaged) than invisibly repair clear coat on the enclosure. If I was going to use durable protective layer, I'd look for some kind of resin (Envirotex?) or maybe automotive paint.

T.

[oatmonster]

Crammed a Paul Cochrane Timmy into a 1590a. Overall, I'm happy with how it turned out, but I probably wouldn't want to do it again.

I really regret socketing the 4558 cause it sticks out like a sore thumb.

[bluebunny]

Not bad at all for a first post - welcome!  Very neat little build.

but I probably wouldn't want to do it again.

We all say that, but it's like childbirth: you kinda forget how incredibly painful it was, then go and do it all again! 

[EBK]

but I probably wouldn't want to do it again.

We all say that, but it's like childbirth: you kinda forget how incredibly painful it was, then go and do it all again! 

It's not that we forget. We remember that the first steps of the next "build" are rather fun.   

[287m]

first post and first 1590A? amazing
no, when you enter 1590A world, you can't leave completely.

vero or perf? Nice build

[oatmonster]

but I probably wouldn't want to do it again.

We all say that, but it's like childbirth: you kinda forget how incredibly painful it was, then go and do it all again! 

It's not that we forget. We remember that the first steps of the next "build" are rather fun.   

Haha, the only enclosures I have laying around are 1590As so I guess I'll have to do a few more. Probably something simpler though so I can spend some time learning how to screen print my graphics.

first post and first 1590A? amazing
no, when you enter 1590A world, you can't leave completely.

vero or perf? Nice build

Thanks, I used vero for this. This actually wasn't my first 1590A build. Earlier I built this: an EQD speaker cranker clone to get my feet wet. Much simpler, though at the time I still wanted to pull my hair out.

[Lars F]

Rangemaster with switchable input capacitors ala Mini Beano from AM.

Regards,

Lars

[thermionix]

You may have set a new world record for jack proximity.  If nothing shorts out with both plugs inserted, you must have a fraction of a mm clearance.