Front panel :Engrave/laser before or after anodize/paint?

My local metal workshop who is doing my GSSL boxes does not anodize the aluminium they use for the front panels...so if i decide to go with anodized front, i´m not sure if i have to engrave then anodize or anodize then engrave...i´ll have to take the front panel to another place for the anodization.

also,

Laser engraving or CNC drill engraving? i just have text, nothing fancy

for big filled (not outline) text, the CNC drill engraving works fine? or i´m best leaving the big text as outline?

if i decide i want my panel black or any other color after anodize...which painting method i should look for? in this case, laser engraving will hurt the finish?

of course if i want black finish i should engrave or laser the thing after the painting process...?

Excuse my crappy english

I´m a total newbie in metalworking and want to understand the process...

Anodize (or paint) -> engraving.

Laser engraving is cool, and not that expensive, it works better with anodized panels. :thumb:

i agree with the idea of a metalworking and engraving and construction META...would be sooo nice for this type of questions...

Laser engraving is definitely nice, and lasts forever, but I had a couple of black anodized aluminum panels done that came out very faded. Those were Mid-Atlantic brand, but I've never had issues with Par-Metal panels. Be careful of the material that you choose...

[quote author="Silvas"]i agree with the idea of a metalworking and engraving and construction META...would be sooo nice for this type of questions...[/quote]
Like this one?
http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=15136

Nice !

Thanks

I like the way a CNC engraved panel looks if it is anodized first and then engraved. The high speed of the spindle (about 8000 RPM) makes a really shinny finish that contrasts well against the anodize.