Zvex style labelling?

[bobbletrox]

I've decided to pull out all the stops for my next build and make it something I can really be proud of -and take my own sweet time making it too.  What I've got in mind is an MXR style enclosure with all the hardware set up like a dynacomp (rubber knob covers n' all) and a Zvex style finish with hand-painted labels.  What I'd like to know is:

1) Has anyone ever taken an enclosure to a custom car painting place?  I've had enclosures done at a powdercoater before...but they're used to finishing different sized objects.  I'm a bit worried about finding a hotrod detailer who'll be willing to spray a B-sized enclosure, because they really only deal with car sized objects.  I'd go stick to powdercoating but they hardly ever break out the good colours.

2) Will enamel hobby paint be ok for the labelling?  I don't know if Zvex pedals have a clear coat over the hand painted stuff...but will enamel paint be okay over the auto-finish?  Or will it just crack off?

Thanks for any advice.

[Rodgre]

Hot Rod shops can spray your enclosures. Especially if you're not critical about the color, because they often clear out their sprayers by spraying on small things, or sometimes something like an old hood.... It shouldn't be a problem.

Roger

[gez]

1) Has anyone ever taken an enclosure to a custom car painting place?

There's a garage within walking distance from me and they specialise in repairing accident damage (resprays etc).  I recently asked whether they could do some boxes for me but sadly they're closing down for good in about a weeks time.

The bloke didn't bat an eyelid when I showed him the size box I wanted spraying and I got the impression he'd have done it no problem had it been then and there and not the 'three weeks time' I had in mind.

Ask around, you have nothing to lose.

[Nasse]

Custom color mobile phone covers used to be very popular where I live. Usually such job was done in small shops. Maybe in such places you could find someone with right tools and artistic skills.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

One powdercoat color that is pretty common is "safety yellow" (at least that is what they call it here in Oz). All that yellow stuff you see, guardrails etc, that is it. I use it for my Frostwave "Funk.a.Duck".

[bobbletrox]

Ahh brilliant.  The reason I'm a bit iffy about it is because some places I've been to for powdercoating have had a bit of a "it's not worth my time" attitude.

[bobbletrox]

One powdercoat color that is pretty common is "safety yellow" (at least that is what they call it here in Oz). All that yellow stuff you see, guardrails etc, that is it. I use it for my Frostwave "Funk.a.Duck".

lol.  Yeah...I usually get a choice of popular fence colors like cream and heritage green.  They have a whole catalog of fancy colours but they never seem to have any big orders going that use them!

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Powder coaters, metal benders, screen printers etc... the smaller the organization is, the likelier that they will do a good cheap job for you (assuming they want to). A big place, usually has so much bureaucracy in place, you are payig for half a dozen guys before anything happens. And if you find a place that is OK, ask the guy if he knows anyone in other feilds that is likely to want your custom.
Maybe this is obvious! but, keep it in mind & you might save yourself some aggro... :roll:

[LinuxMan]

Erm.

You still haven't answered what kind of colour does Zvex use for his
hand-drawn graphics on top.... Anyone?

Cheers
LM

[RDV]

Erm. You still haven't answered what kind of colour does Zvex use for his hand-drawn graphics on top.... Anyone?

Paint. An artist does it for him. It's one reason his pedals are pretty much worth what he charges for them. Each one is hand painted by Jason Myrold. Get some paint pens from your local art shop and have at it.

RDV

[LinuxMan]

Erm. You still haven't answered what kind of colour does Zvex use for his hand-drawn graphics on top.... Anyone?

Paint. An artist does it for him. It's one reason his pedals are pretty much worth what he charges for them. Each one is hand painted by Jason Myrold. Get some paint pens from your local art shop and have at it.

RDV

Yeah, but what kind of pain??? Enamel based (like for models) or something
else...

Cheers
LM

[Peter Snowberg]

Here's a big hint if you can identify the paint bottle.

http://www.jasonmyrold.com/Document/Nav/cam.htm

[RDV]

Here's a big hint if you can identify the paint bottle.

http://www.jasonmyrold.com/Document/Nav/cam.htm

You beat me to it.

RDV

[Ansil]

hmm testers anyone.  maybe not.  also i read somewhere[maybe it was false] that instead of clearcoat that they were covered in epoxy.  like i said i am rehasing info from somewhere else but it does work for a great clear coat. [having tried it myself]

on painting. the people in the fleamarkets that do custom auto tags and coffee mugs are usually quite skilled and will paint you a killer looking box.

also sometimes if you are lucky you can find somone who paints on glass and they will do a great paintjob [ie details like a rose i have a couple that were painted on the boxes i used for the non fabric rose pedals.] i got it done for a 1.50 a rose  actuall size was like 2*2"

[LinuxMan]

Hi.

I've talked to Zvex before about the paint on his pedals (not the hand-drawn
graphics) and he said this about the clear coat:
The clear is 2-part automotive epoxy. it's the same stuff you find on cars as a
final coat.

About the picture on that site. I can't identify the colour used there... It could
be something enamel based (small models paint) or even something acrylic
(as sold in the local art shop). On the second glance, it looks like a red nail
polisher to me...

Which one (besides the nail polisher) would work best in your opinion?

Cheers
LM

[LinuxMan]

And while we are at it, anyone knows where to get that nifty knobs that are
on the FuzzFactory? Or those small ones from Seek-trem and others?

Cheers
LM

[gez]

According to a review in a guitar magazine I read the artist uses oil paints.  Then again, we all know how accurate guitar mag reviews are!  :roll:

[The Tone God]

And while we are at it, anyone knows where to get that nifty knobs that are
on the FuzzFactory? Or those small ones from Seek-trem and others?

I don't know this for a fact but I belive the knobs for the FF are one of the Eagle knob types which I belive you can get from mouser. The Seek-trem knobs are not knobs per se but trim pots. I belive they are the Alpha 9mm also availible from Mouser.

As for the paint my guess is its the same paint used on models. I forget the name right now. Keyser  :?:

Andrew

[LinuxMan]

Thanks.

Whoa, didn't know that SeekTrem has trim pots. No wonder they are so
small... But how do the pots stand quality wise? Are they durable enough to
last for years to come?

Cheers
LM

[The Tone God]

But how do the pots stand quality wise? Are they durable enough to
last for years to come?

I don't own any Zvex gear so I can't say and this is all speculation on my part. If they are Alpha then they are not bad quality wise. For durability as in "taking the stomping" I'm not sure. As a builder and musician, particularly with big heavy feet, they make me nervious. I don't see any shock mounting, they are plastic, have no protection around them, and are not laid out in the box for ideal stabilty. I would suspect you have to be careful around them as to not to kill it. Mind you I haven't seen any compliants about any of those pedals being damage so it maybe cool.

Andrew

P.S. Just to prememptively head off any possible flaming I'm not taking any shots at Zvex. I love Zvex stuff and what I say is purely my opinion which is not based on any first hand experience. I'm posting as an armchair builder.