Robert
Reverse Engineer
I stopped using decals and clearcoat altogether many years ago because yes, even the slightest imperfection while building and I lose all enthusiasm about the build. I've stripped and refinished a pedal because a piece of dust got in the clearcoat.
What happens after that doesn't really bother me all that much, but before I've even put the lid on? Deal breaker.
Some folks are building with the intentions of selling, and some buyers can be quite picky.
I had a guy ask to cancel his purchase of a brand new in box pedal (not one of my builds) because he saw a glare in the powdercoat and thought it was a blemish.... a blemish, on a pedal....
With that said, I don't think I've ever damaged the finish of a pedal with a socket unless it had rattlecan clearcoat and I was just being absolutely careless. The washer usually prevents a properly sized socket from bottoming out on the enclosure.
My dings usually came while tossing the enclosure around on the bench during assembly. Krylon/Rustoleum clearcoat seems to get messed up if you look at it wrong.
