What's the easiest way to finish a stomp box?

[Toxic Tom]

What is the easiest way to get some colour on my aluminium box and protect it from corrosion? I don't really wanna use dangerous chemicals or bake it...

Suggestions?

[Seljer]

For the most colour for least effort: colour inkjet printer + self adhesive paper + drown it in lacquer to make it last

[Toxic Tom]

For the most colour for least effort: colour inkjet printer + self adhesive paper + drown it in lacquer to make it last

Cool! Any specific type of sticky paper or lacquer needed?

[Quackzed]

easier maybee is a can of hammertone paint...1. clean the box 2. spray a few coats 3. have a beer and wait till it dries. 
its pretty tough/protective, looks good, is easy to do if you've used spray paint b4. one thing though, its a hammered finish effect so it comes out looking hammered so waterslide decals will be out because the finish isnt flat....

[Govmnt_Lacky]

easier maybee is a can of hammertone paint...1. clean the box 2. spray a few coats 3. have a beer and wait till it dries. 
its pretty tough/protective, looks good, is easy to do if you've used spray paint b4. one thing though, its a hammered finish effect so it comes out looking hammered so waterslide decals will be out because the finish isnt flat....

One note to add to this:

You are not guaranteed the "hammertone" finish every time!

I have used this type of paint on several different enclosure types and every so often you get a flat paint look from it. This can become complicated if you get some of the box with the hammer toned look and other portions with a flat look.

Just from my experience 

Of course, you could ask John Lyons who is a master of the Hammertone look 

[LucifersTrip]

hammered paint is a little more difficult than normal paint to get "right". you need a little experience to get that hammered look to pop out consistently.  while other paint I have usually says "apply 2 or more thin coats", hammered says "apply medium coats".

[John Lyons]

Baking only speeds up the drying time.
No need to bake if you can wait a little and use a fan.
Lightly sand the box and primer then color spray.
Or just spray the color only...

[Toxic Tom]

Is primer needed or not?

[nascarbean_97]

I don't use primer, mine turn out fine.

[Quackzed]

i only recomended it because its made to cover rust and in my experience is pretty user friendly stuff...
there may just be a 'rust covering' version of hammertone... maybee they're not all as user friendly? 
for me it was easy to get good coverage, you can lay it on a bit thicker than normal paint without runs , and it dries pretty fast as well,
and due to the 'hammering' effect, little 'issues' or spots dont show up as easily...
i've also used it without primer as the 'rustoleum' brand hammertone is made to cover raw metal/rust, but like i said it MAY just be
a type of hammertone they offer that has that rust coverage ability, should say on the can.
anyway thats my experience...

[davent]

Hello,
I'd consider those products toxic, noxious chemicals and would only use them if you have access to a place to use them outside wearing a properly fitted chemical respirator. Without those precautions my head would be exploding soon to be followed by the loss of whatever was in my stomach.

I can safely use waterbased acrylic products, they may take more time but you can get great results.

dave

[Toxic Tom]

So I can just spray my pedal with this stuff?

[John Lyons]

Yes, that will work fine.
There is not right way to go.
Experiment and see what works and why.
Dave has good points...

[Paul Marossy]

Get one already prefinished from www.pedalpartsplus.com 

[runmikeyrun]

or powdercoated from small bear... they are very well done and hold up extremely well!

[Processaurus]

The powdercoated boxes look great and are much much more durable than anything that can be done with a rattle can.  It's been an amazing development in DIY pedal building that you can get them in so many colors and so cheaply.

[amptramp]

Or you could get them from the mothership in 1590B, trapezoid and 1590BB:

http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg_SBVer.htm

[Paul Marossy]

Or you could get them from the mothership in 1590B, trapezoid and 1590BB:

I just saw those the other day. I guess they finally caught on to the fact that people like to use their enclosures for DIY stuff?

[AudioEcstasy]

I would sand it smooth and use clear coat. Designs are your call.

[axg20202]

So I can just spray my pedal with this stuff?

I would use the paint-on stuff instead. A lot less mess, safer to use and the coverage is great. Also, it's more cost-effective than spray cans. I use the British brand called Hammerite. The silver hammered finish comes up very nice. Just pre-drill all holes, then suspend the box using a wire coathanger. Apply it all in one coat, but not too thick. If you move quickly it will level out nicely, leaving no brush marks. The finish is very durable and resists chipping. If you must bake it on, do not bake it in an oven you use for cooking food!