Yup, you need to give the coating some sort of a rough surface to bind to or it will just flake off.

Also, don't freak out when the parts turn copper color.  Nickel is the top coating, with a plating of copper under it (above the steel) for the nickel to bond to.

Quoted: Think I have to have it bead blasted or something like that to make this work?

Only if you want it to turn out decent.

Don't go with the  cabinet you listed, instead go with this one, and drill a large hole in the side that you can rubber plug when not being used.  With a second side plug center cut/slotted, you can insert half a rifle barrel threw the slotted plug to blast one side, and then just swap the ends around to get the other side.  Trust me, with the side door model, every time you open one of the doors, the media comes tumbling out and makes a mess. Plus the top door model already has the light included.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38440