What material do I use to bulid a marquee at that top?

[Nitro0602]

Hey guys,
A building an arcade with a marquee (light box)  What material is suggested, I wouldn't think plexiglass of the weight.  Anything else that is cheaper, but still looks nice?  I found this post that had something similar:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=35650.0

 

[lilshawn]

I copied that into google translate and it SAYS it's english...but I'm not quite getting it.

you want to build a marquee box? or are you looking to find something clear to cover the front? Why concerned about weight? Thickness maybe?? the thread you linked contains a single picture of a standard machine which would require a single piece of plexiglas to cover the marquee.

Most hardware stores that carry full sheets of plexiglas often have "off cuts" or broken pieces for cheap. Sometimes you must ask if they have anything like that. You could likely find a piece that would cover that marquee 3 times over for $20 

[DeLuSioNal29]

I have 2 pieces of plexi sandwiching the marquee in betwen.  It comes out to be the same thickness as a normal marquee.

D

[Nitro0602]

Sorry I think I am getting confused.  I just wanted to know the material used for the marquee... Someone else has mentioned plexi as well.
I do like the sandwich idea.  I've seen people say they have used a tinted  plexiglass

[BobA]

You can use plexiglass also known as acrylic or lexan known as polycarbonate.   Plexi is more brittle but is much cheaper than lexan which is not as brittle but more prone to scratches because it is softer but stronger.

[michelevit]

i use the sandwich method and it works great.
bottom piece is luane. a 4x8 foot sheet of this is about 15 dollars.

the top is thin plexi from tap plastic.
artwork is printed on a color lazer printer.

held in place with two button head allens or phillips.

[Nitro0602]

Thanks guys!
What material should I print the marquee... If I do a color print on regular paper, will that give the same effect as a real arcade?  I thought it would be a transparent Vinyl material?

I do like the sandwich idea...  Trying to find cheapest solutions that still looks authentic

[DeLuSioNal29]

I went with gameongrafix.com. There is an option to get the order with plexi cut to the same size as your marquee.

All you have to do is upload your artwork. Fill out the size that you need and they send you the 3 pieces.

Here's a video of me installing mine:


D

[Nitro0602]

Thanks DeLuSioNal29, much appreciated!