Metal enclosure finishes on consumer electronics

[Alex Eisenhut]

First time I see or notice that a plastic wrap of some kind is being used to wrap up a metal enclosure.
It was because of the dingy yellow color that I saw this. But it doesn't clean off.
It's supposed to be clear I guess since pictures of other units show it metallic.
(Archer 15-1263)
I guess it also gives a texture. Was/is this common? I thought paint was the way to go.

[jfiresto]

Could it be a protective film and there to avoid scratching the outer surface, when you cut, punch and drill the panel, after which you peel it off to reveal unblemished metal?

[ajb]

Is it actually a plastic film, or could it be a coating?  The fact that the coating is so tight to the edges of the panel doesn't look like a film to me, but more like it was coated.  The area around the hole looks like it could have been masked off during paint/powder coat.  The dingy yellow color could just be that clear coat yellowing with time/sun/chemical exposure.