How to hide X-arcade Tankstick's X?

[rjpe]

Hi MAME'rs,

I found a few threads regarding this, but not much with examples (of what people really did!).
- Paint it black? What paint? Is spray a good option? You painted directly in the big X surface, or removed the x-gamming overlay first?
- MameMarquees / GameOnGrafix - glue and trim it?
- Non adesive overlay covered with plexi glass?

I found a tankstick template here - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=92263.0;attach=151222
I opened the files in GIMP (open source tool), and the template doesn't look good... maybe I need to get Adobe Ilustrator.
It looks like a template for covereing the tankstick without removing the buttons and joysticks, I would prefer one that fits the correct holes size.

Please post your option and a photo ilustrating the results!

[BobA]

If you are having trouble importing into GIMP try IE9 it supports SVG 1.1.   Templates look OK in IE9.   One looks like a full size with holes marked where the controls are located the other looks like the same but with marks to print it in 3 pieces.

[rjpe]

Thanks for the sugestion, but I still think that player 1 button 3 is not OK (it's a little too much to the right).
The joystick holes in the tankstick are the same size as the button holes.
But this is not a problem!
I will (try) to do what I need regarding the template.

What I would like to see is how is the final product look taking in account the options there are to hide the big X  

[BobA]

You are right the template is a bit off.   Joystick holes are really large.   You could always take a picture of your x arcade and photoshop it a bit to see how it would look.   On the Hotrod the covering can be removed and the top cleaned off with goo be gone according to one user.   Not sure if the tankstick uses the same covering.

[garnerb350]

Not sure if the tankstick uses the same covering.

I believe it does... the overlay on my Tankstick on the left edge is peeling off (Ive been doing good at holding it down) From the way it looks it really just looks like regular adhesive...  I agree the template provided is somewhat off...

[SammyWI]

FYI, an open source alternative to Illustrator is Inkscape (http://inkscape.org/).  I tried the linked files and Inkscape opens them OK.  SVG is Inkscape's native format.  Illustrator is definitely more powerful and full featured, but for a hack like me, Inkscape was a lot easier to use.

[crashwg]

My wife worked for a book warehouse for a little while and when stickers were put in the wrong place they used this stuff: https://un-du.com/ and apparently it's awesome.

[rjpe]

Hi,

I decided to keep it simple.
Black contact paper rules!

Check the project thread update with a hidden x-arcade: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105752.0

Happy New 2011!

[BobA]

Looks great in black. 

[thedirtychemist]

Hi,

I decided to keep it simple.
Black contact paper rules!

Check the project thread update with a hidden x-arcade: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105752.0

Happy New 2011!

Looks fantastic!  Awesome job.  I was hoping to do something similar.

I'm thinking that I could get a template, tweak it a bit to my style, then go to kinkos to get it printed with their vinyl.

Would you happen to have a link or have a copy of the template you used? 

[rjpe]

I just applied a rectangular adhesive vinyl paper on it, used a x-acto and trimmed the holes and the sides.
Didn't used any template. 
As simple as this, and the X is hidden.