should I get plexiglass for my control panel?

[shateredsoul]

Hi Everyone,

So I found out that having plexiglass is sometimes not good to have on your control panel if you spill a drink... I don't plan on having drinks onthe control pannel but I was wondering if you all think plexiglass is necessary if I have a polycarbonate control panel overlay?

(they said they can install it and this includes flush mounting the track ball cover)

[Ginsu Victim]

With a good CPO, you won't need plexi.

[severdhed]

i installed plexi on my panel, but i dont have any overlay, i just painted the back side of the plexi black.  it looks very glossy and nice, but it shows fingerprints and smudges very easily....i constantly have to wipe it down because it looks nasty

[javeryh]

I have a CP with plexi (DK) and it looks great - smudges don't show or anything probably due to the artwork screened underneath.  I also have one without (black Happs pica vinyl) and it has held up great too.  If your overlay is made of  the good stuff from mamemarquees or whoever then you should be fine...

[shateredsoul]

Well, the control panel overlay will be from mamemarquees.. It would just be good to get an idea of the difference between having the plexiglass and not.

The cost for the plexi (cut to fit with my panel) is $50

So is there any reason why I would not want the plexi?  I didn't mind paying $50 more if it looks a lot nicer.

Also, does anyone know any good repositories of control panel art?

[Ginsu Victim]

$50 for plexi?!? Yikes. Buy your own and drill it yourself if you must have it. I say skip it for that much.

[shateredsoul]

Good to know! Thanks!

[kjbalto]

I have plexi on my control panel and it looks awesome. I would definitely do the plexi, it's worth it.

[Ginsu Victim]

I have plexi on my control panel and it looks awesome. I would definitely do the plexi, it's worth it.

Do you also have a proper CPO?

[Firebat138]

Scott from MM did mine and I did NOT use plexi...  it looks awesome...  I would say skip it if you have a good CPO.  Dust gets inside and is a %$#$ to clean if you ever DO spill anything...

[DashRendar]

$50 for plexi?!? Yikes. Buy your own and drill it yourself if you must have it. I say skip it for that much.

That said, it's not necessarily easy to drill/cut plexi without cracking or breaking it.

Benefit of buying one from NCC is that it's precut for your control panel (with button/joystick holes lining up perfectly with the holes in the control panel).

It *is* expensive though.

[kjbalto]

I have plexi on my control panel and it looks awesome. I would definitely do the plexi, it's worth it.

Do you also have a proper CPO?

Yes I have a cpo.  I just think the plexi makes it look much more professional.

[mwong168]

Yes I have a cpo.  I just think the plexi makes it look much more professional.

If you ordered your control panel from Scott at mamemarquees.com you won't need or want to put plexi overtop of it.  I was really impressed at the quality and how durable it is.  Here is a picture of it on my showcase podium portion and another one from my buddy's SFII WW dynamo control panel.





If you print out your own artwork on high quality or photo paper you will definetely need plexi to protect it from smudging or wearing.  I had to use it for my bartop but if I had my artwork printed by Scott I would prefer not to use it cause of dust collecting under and it was a pain in the ass to cut but I managed.

[Ginsu Victim]

Yes I have a cpo.  I just think the plexi makes it look much more professional.

I have plexi and I'm looking to get rid of it and put on a proper CPO. The classics mostly didn't have plexiglass and I prefer not having it.

[mwong168]

The only reason why I think plexi glass was even put on by machine operators/owners was because of the ---meecrobs--- that would smoke and rest their burning cigarette on the control panel    Must cheaper to replace plexi then it is original artwork.

[Ginsu Victim]

That's it.