Ok. Some post-painted pics of my dock if anyone is interested! Warning, 1.5MB hi-res pics!

pic 1 here
and pic 2here

<edit: updated pics to links, as opposed to inline pics to conserve bw>

Complete with button/knob kit and an AnoFace.

The dock was painted over 3 days. Here's how it went for anyone hesitant to spoil the surface of their virgin dock.

The first day consisted of cleaning the dock free from any dust or abrasions. Next, I masked the rear plate with the connectors, masked the venting holes on the side from the inside, then at last stuck some newspaper inside and masked the front edge of the dock.

Next I fastened a hanger out of bailing wire and suspended the dock from a rafter. I created a mini painting booth out of some old cardboard and newspaper. (with plenty of ventilation and using a proper breathing mask mind you, although the paint still got to my noodle... weeee!). The first step consisted a LIGHT coat of flat black enamel spraypaint. 5 minutes later, a second LIGHT coat. About 45 minutes later, a 3rd and final coat, this time a little more liberal on the paint to ensure an even and complete coat, but not enough to make bubbles, runs, or streaks. Then let it dry overnight.

Day 2 consisted of cleaning the surface free from dust again. Then 2 coats of clear gloss polyeurethane (the spray kind), about 1 hour apart. Then overnight to dry again!

Day 3, the dock was ready for use!

A few complaints though that the front edge of the top and bottom OSB? was a little rough, and would have liked to sand it down a little before I painted, but must certainly give credit to a great piece of craftsmanship.

The results, well a not-quite-as shiny as a piano finish, but certainly good enough for me!

-lothar

Uh... woah... I dunno what happened there, but your images are loading directly into the frame, presumably from your server somewhere, making your warning a little too late. :P Can you replace those 1.5 Meg images with thumbnails, and links to the big ones? That'll save those without broadband from taking a beating...

Thanks

Where to order the aluminum face plate? I found a couple of threads with lots of references and pictures, but no info on how to get my grubby little hands on one
Cory

click on the "fascia" link at the top of the page.

--dan.

Greetings!

Click on the "Fascia" link in the BBS header. It will take you right there. You need to order by email, but that is the site with all of the information. Is 303 still travelling at the moment?

Edit: <best Don Adams voice> "Missed it by that much..." </best Don Adams voice>

Just Something I found useful while painting the dock, It is rather difficult to mask the front edge, I found you can fill those little dips with lumps of bluetack and then mask over the top to get a nice edge, Just use very light coats of paint, cause paint and bluetack don't mix well, Gazz

Nice paint job!

The idea of using base layers of colour with transparent overcoats is really the key to doing nice glossy finishes in a home min-shop.

Well done!

It appears these imagers aren't hosted anymore but does anyone else have any pictures of a painted dock? I think I might take a stab at it, but I don't know where to start. Maybe some inspiration would help!