Game On Grafix Side Art

[Woodshop Flunky]

I'm building a 3/4 scale arcade cabinet: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=111377.0

I had planned to use 1/2 inch plywood, and cover the inside face of each side panel with 1/6 inch laminate.  That should have brought the sides to 9/16 inches thick... which would be great.  However, my 1/2 inch plywood is much closer to 7/16 than 1/2 inch, so I've decided to cover both faces of each side panel with 1/16 laminate... this will bring the total width to very near 9/16 inch.

My question is really about adhering my side art.  I plan to have full side art produced by Game On Grafix and I know many of you guys have gotten stuff from them.  So, does this stuff stick well to Formica laminate?  Is there any type of surface prep I should know about?

Thanks!

[DNA Dan]

I'd use some windex to remove any dirt and oils from surface, let dry then apply. Start in the middle and spread it outwards to avoid trapping air.

It should stick very well to the laminate. Oils are probably the biggest reason things would not stick to it. I am assuming you have the "smooth" laminate and not the rough surface variety?

[leapinlew]

Yup. I stuck mine over laminate when I built my tempest. Started at the top and worked my way down so I could clear out air bubbles along the way and trimmed up with a blade.

[Woodshop Flunky]

I'd use some windex to remove any dirt and oils from surface, let dry then apply. Start in the middle and spread it outwards to avoid trapping air.

It should stick very well to the laminate. Oils are probably the biggest reason things would not stick to it. I am assuming you have the "smooth" laminate and not the rough surface variety?

The laminate isn't perfectly smooth... it has a very slight texture to it.

[Woodshop Flunky]

Yup. I stuck mine over laminate when I built my tempest. Started at the top and worked my way down so I could clear out air bubbles along the way and trimmed up with a blade.

Thanks, and btw... I really like that Tempest cab! 

[WindDrake]

That's the same kind of finish my Northcoast Customs/Mameroom cabinet has on it (Melamine). My sideart sticks without issue. It's pretty awesome stuff, very tough, and the adhesive does not mess around at all, even with a couple of pull-offs I had to do due to alignment issues.

[DNA Dan]

What you have is considered smooth. They make some laminated with much serious texture. Should be a breeze to install, managing the large pieces is about the most difficult part.

Leapinlew, your Tempest cab is EPIC! I love it. The side are is so awesome on that cab.