What to cover LCD with (plexiglass, glass, etc)

[ragnar]

I was reading the % tint thread and realized that I have yet another thing to plan for.

I'm going to get a new 22-24" LCD.

Should I be doing tempered glass or plexiglass or lexan?  What thickness?

Also, should I even bother with tint if I am doing an LCD?  And is glass/lexan even needed?

[BamBam]

I used a 30% tempered glass and like the results.  Next time, however, I might scale it back to 20%.

[ragnar]

How do you attach the glass to the cabinet?

[deepblue]

I did Lexan and it looks great, even though I hate the stuff (So easy to scratch).

I'd say that Lexan is fine for the bezel cover but I'd be inclined to looking at glass next time for my CP top (or metal).

[RandyT]

I was reading the % tint thread and realized that I have yet another thing to plan for.

I'm going to get a new 22-24" LCD.

Should I be doing tempered glass or plexiglass or lexan?  What thickness?

LCD's can be dead easy to ruin with any kind of impact to the face.  If for no other reason, cover it to keep it alive.  Material depends on your budget.  Glass is nice, but it can shatter.  Even tempered still breaks, and while it won't cut you as easily, it does make a hell of a mess when it does.  I see people "poo poo" the use of acrylic, but like anything, if you clean it properly, with a soft clean cloth, it will look great for a very long time.  My front window ( 1/8" dark acrylic) is still pristine and has been in place for about 6 years.  Acrylic will almost always be less expensive, easier to find and you can cut it yourself.  Lexan, HYZOD, Polycarbonate, etc.  is more expensive, softer, more difficult to machine and will yellow very quickly in UV.  There aren't a lot of benefits to using this material, unless you happen to already have a piece around.

Also, should I even bother with tint if I am doing an LCD?

It depends on the LCD.  It may not have enough output to punch through darker material, but if it does, the black levels may not be the greatest.  LCD's have so many different specs that speculation is useless here.  You'll need to see what the unit can do, and then decide the path to take based on what you are trying to accomplish.  A couple samples of material will probably be necessary.

RandyT

[ragnar]

I think I am going to go the Acryilic route for the monitor cover.

Since we are on the topic, is Acrylic also the preferred covering for the CP?

EDIT: So, I need some of this stuff:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xqd/R-202038044/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[jholman76]

I did a tinted acrylic over my LCD bartop (sig link) and it turned out GREAT. I was a little hesitant, but I'm really glad I did it. I just had to turn up the brightness a little.

I'm not sure of the % of tint since was all that my local big box store had. As for what to use on the CP, I would stay clear of polycarbonate since it scratches so easily. my .080 acrylic is holding up great so far.

Just prepare for the "nail salon" stench that cutting acrylic has.

joe