Drill Then Paint, or Paint Then Drill?

[Adji]

Hey guys, sorry I must be really bad with the search engine, I never seem to turn up the results I am looking for?

Anyway. I am thinking of trying to pain an enclosure for the BazzFuzz I am working on. I have some red spray paint and some safety goggles and masks and was going to spray it out in the backyard. So, generally do you paint and then drill, or drill and then paint? Obviously if I drilled first I would have to put some kind of tape over the holes to prevent paint from leaking in.

Also...After a good coat of spray paint do I leave it to dry for about 24 hours and then apply some kind of clear coat?

PS I will need to buy clearcoat haha

Or will it be okay without clearcoating?

[boogietube]

Here's some painting threads:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=30928

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=42603.0

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=44181.msg320951#msg320951

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=30375

Self etch primer is a must in my opinion. Not necessary to tape up the holes.
Drill, then paint.

Cheers!

[served]

But now that this thread is on. I would like to add a question.

I have a powdercoated enclosure.
How should I continue?

Just put on the decals and lacquer?
Or should I put lacquer under the decals?

How would you do it?

[jkokura]

Drill then paint, or paint then drill. Done them both.

I usually put decals on before clear coat, but I've also put clear coat on before decals and then clear coated on top.

Try out whatever you want. It may work great, it may not work, but it's fun learning.

Jacob

[joegagan]

drill first.

[kungpow79]

drill, wet sand, wash, primer, bake, paint, bake, decals/labels, clear coat, bake, done

[Processaurus]

Buy powder coated box, then drill  .  I stick some pieces of thick rubber sheet between the vice and the painted box so nothing gets scratched while machining it.  Some masking tape over the top can be good for simultaneously having something to mark on and protect the finish, as well.  The only thing to watch out for is the little ribbons of aluminum that peel out of the hole and wrap around the drill bit scratching circles in the paint...

[boogietube]

A tip for drilling a powder coated box: wrap it in painters tape first. Lay out your hole centers directly on the tape. Punch your holes with a center punch. Even though powder coat is durable, you may chip the edges when handling the box during drilling. As far as applying a decal or t-shirt transfer for graphics, there are several threads in the wiki at the top of this page.

[Paul Marossy]

I've always drilled before painting, for the enclosures that I paint myself.

[Mark Hammer]

Either works fine, although take the following into consideration:

1) Paint that is a little too thick can easily chip off in chunks in response to drilling. (drill first)

2) If the paint is supposed to be the topcoat, spinning bits of aluminum on the drillbit can scratch the surface easily. (drill first)

3) If you need a pot or jack to make a ground connection through contact with the chassis, paint can impede that.  (paint first)

4) It can often be easier to apply decals to a smooth flat surface than to one with holes in it.  (paint first).