I have finally managed to paint and engrave my panel and I am very happy with the result. The engraving shop said that they were not entirely sure that vinyl lettering would be suitable for the type of pain on the panel. They were worried that when peeling away the surplus vinyl the paint could come away from the panel. It was actually flaking away in my hands at one point. The paintshop had sprayed the aluminium the wrong colour. It was in very light grey. So it had to be repainted black and they ended up doing a quick job. Subsuquently it wasnt baked in an oven but it still looks very good. It was decided that laser engraving was a better option but the shop was not sure how deep it would cut. But to my surprise the engraving took away the first layer of paint leaving the previous grey underneath and it really looks superb.

I have bought some MDF to make the case for this panel to be attached to which I will start on Monday. But it is really starting to shape up.