Applying Contact Paper

[TheGameAh]

Hey guys.  Just wanted to slap a quick question out there.  My CP is 1/2" inch MDF.  I'm throwing contact paper and 1/8" lexan on top.  If I slot a groove dead center and throw my remaining 3/4" T molding in there, it should be a perfect control panel with a bit of overhand that noone will see on the bottom.

My question is how are you contact paper users applying your stuff?  I guess first of all, is it even a good idea to put contact paper underneath of lexan?  If it bubbles down the road and you want to swap it, you have to remove the lexan first.

But assuming it's a good idea, do you guys wrap your paper around the control panel a few inches?  On the prototype I did this, and it made the edges of the panel bubble up more often.  Or should I trim the contact paper flush with the edges of the control panel?

[SirPeale]

You have your measurements mixed up; if you slot a groove dead center, what you'll get is overhang on both sides. 1/2 (4/8) plus 1/8 = 5/8.  If you want the overhang on the bottom, you'll have to slip the groove down a bit.

[TheGameAh]

Yeah, I'll have overhang on both sides.  But the 1/8" lexan on top should take care of the overhang on the top.  At least I hope.  

[AlanS17]

Yeah, I'll have overhang on both sides.  But the 1/8" lexan on top should take care of the overhang on the top.  At least I hope.  

Those measurements seem good to me.

As for conact paper, it shouldn't bubble under the plexi. I had mine under plexi for 6 months and nothing happenned despite the abuse it took.

I wrapped the stuff up underneath my CP, but that was for a metal control panel so there was no t-molding around the edges to consider. You'll probably want to wrap it down 1/4" to the line where you install your t-molding. Considering you'll have the t-molding covering the edge, though, it may not matter. However, contact paper has a tendency to stretch so you may find it start to retract from the edge if you cut it flush. It never bubbled on mine when i wrapped it around. I just made sure that I pulled it really tight and wrapped it around about 2 inches around the back.

One think you may not have considered, though. If you haven't started yet, you will be better off routing out the groove for your t-molding BEFORE applying the contact paper. The contact paper is more likely to tear and if it sangs you're gonna zip a nice pretty zigzag right into the side of your panel.

Contact paper without a covering would probably tear, but it's secure if you put plexi over it. My only complaint is that not many designs go well with contact paper. (In other words, I think it's kind of ugly.)