Smoked Plexi

[Green Giant]

So I have put this off forever, but I think I will force myself to buy it.

I need to get some smoked plexi/lexan/glass.  My two concerns are price and ability to modify for LEDs for lightguns.  I have the two horizontal bars that house the IR leds for the lightguns.  I would assume I would have to modify the glass to allow those to pass through.

I know everyone says call your local glass company but when I start searching they are usually for auto and typically shout off an insane estimate for the glass.  I am in Houston if any of you are local and know of a good place to go.  If not what type and where have you ordered online?


I did some more digging and changed up my search to find Tap Plastics mentioned an awful lot.  Is that the go to site?  Is 1/8" thickness good enough?

[GregD]

I think 1/8th is too thin.  Step up to 3/16ths or 1/4.  I got the 1/4" from tapp and it is great.

[Vulgar Soul]

Tapp Plastics is great. Wonderful prices, good quality.

I went with 1/8 for my glass and found it just right. Not too thick, not too thin.

[Dawgz Rule]

I went with a #14 graylite glass, 1/8" and had no problems with it whatsoever.  IR lights are mounted behind the glass and work fine.

[Savannan]

I got some greylite 31% (25"x25") 1/4" glass...think i payed $40 or so for it...  I'll NEVER...repeat NEVER go back to standard glass again for arcade purposes again.   I LOVE IT!!!.   You don't even need a monitor bezel if you use it.  Just paint the monitor chassis support brackets black. You will never notice that you don't have one.   Skip plexi, go with greylite glass.  you wont be disappointed. 

[Dawgz Rule]

Agreed.  It really kicks up the look and the colors do pop.

[Green Giant]

I got some greylite 31% (25"x25") 1/4" glass...think i payed $40 or so for it...  I'll NEVER...repeat NEVER go back to standard glass again for arcade purposes again.   I LOVE IT!!!.   You don't even need a monitor bezel if you use it.  Just paint the monitor chassis support brackets black. You will never notice that you don't have one.   Skip plexi, go with greylite glass.  you wont be disappointed. 

But where did you find the greylite?

[JayB]

Having a tough time getting some of this glass in the UK. Anyone over here that has found anything suitable?

[Savannan]

I called a local glass company here in town.   Ask for greylite, it should be common stock item, but it might take a day or two to get depending on how busy they are or if they have to order it.  If your local glass company can't get it..call around, if you have to drive 20 or so miles, so be it...its worth it.  

[Savannan]

not too sure if this is the manufactures website at all...but you could email these guys to see where in UK has it...

http://www.grayglass.net/product.cfm/GrayGlass/GRAYLITE-31/product_id/4174

dont let the image in the above website discourage you in purchasing it.   As said in the above post...colors really do pop out really good.

[Dawgz Rule]

I went local and it ended up being a special order.  Some people have recommended "One Day Glass".

http://onedayglass.com/

[Peja]

Stupid question, but I assume these are all plexi type "glasses", especially on the grayglass??  My dynamo showcase has a smoked plexi right now that is slightly curved when in its holders.  Can these be slightly bent/curved as well? 

My current setup isn't awful but on dark games such as the later levels of Ms. Pacman, the red pellets can be hard to see.  Even with the brightness turned up higher on the arcade monitor.

Thanks for any info....

[Savannan]

greylite is glass..it dont bend like plexi does

[Dawgz Rule]

Mine is real glass so there really isn't any "bend" to it.  I preferred glass over plexi.

[Dawgz Rule]

Actually had my Graylite backwards.  Mine is a 31.  The 14 was too dark.

[dandare]

will 'tinted' acrylic/plexi give the same or similar results as smoked?

such as this http://www.trentplastics.co.uk/online/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=246 or this
http://www.trentplastics.co.uk/online/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=260

[JayB]

not too sure if this is the manufactures website at all...but you could email these guys to see where in UK has it...

http://www.grayglass.net/product.cfm/GrayGlass/GRAYLITE-31/product_id/4174

dont let the image in the above website discourage you in purchasing it.   As said in the above post...colors really do pop out really good.

Thanks, have just emailed them

[Green Giant]

For those that have ordered the solar grey from tap plastics, does it get darker as you get thicker?

Basically is the color baked into the plastic or coated on the outside?

[Cakemeister]

I got 1/8" tempered tinted glass. Way better than plexi IMO. Any glass place that does a lot of framing, shower doors, etc. will do a custom piece of glass. I got mine at Desola Glass on Louetta Road on the north side of town.

[Dervacumen]

For those that have ordered the solar grey from tap plastics, does it get darker as you get thicker?

Basically is the color baked into the plastic or coated on the outside?

I have used this twice.  It's not coated, the color of the plastic itself is tinted.  It gets darker the thicker you get because of this.  If you do have a TAP plastics around they have several shades and thicknesses on display so you can get a good idea of how it will look.  I love it.  They will cut your piece while you wait, about $40.  Mine is 1/4" thick, doesn't bend or warp.

[MTPPC]

I paid $25 for a 21" by 23" piece of 3/16" clear with the edges smoothed (seamed). I put 20% automotive tint on it and now wish I would have used 35%. It looks great.