Glossy Galaga

[Sjaak]

I got a request from a customer to build a white Galaga cabinet with a glossy finish, chrome t-molding and chrome control panel with all white controls.

I started on this build a month ago and it's almost done, so I wanted to share some pictures and details about the build.

Instead of painting the cabinet (and sanding, and painting, etc.) I decided to use the same foil that is being used to wrap cars. It comes in all kinds of colours and finishes. For the cab I used glossy white and for the control panel a metal chrome finish. All the black was spray painted.

[DaOld Man]

Looks beautiful. Tell me more about this foil used to wrap cars.

[mountain]

Looks great! I have been experimenting with 3M 1080 foil wrap lately. Very easy to work with. Lots of possibilities.

[Sjaak]

Looks beautiful. Tell me more about this foil used to wrap cars.

It's vinyl foil with non-visible air release channels. It's a bit thinner than the vinyl used for stickers and basically you can quickly apply it to mdf. No need to be carefull about air bubbles, because those disappear when you wipe it with a squeegee or a piece of cloth. And when heated, you can stretch it around difficult corners.

It took about 2 minutes to apply the foil to one side panel and get rid of air bubbles.

[Slippyblade]

Huh.  That's pretty neat.

Love the look of the cab though, very sleek!  I'd be terrified of smudges though.

[yotsuya]

That would look good with a full-sized coin door.

[Sjaak]

Huh.  That's pretty neat.

Love the look of the cab though, very sleek!  I'd be terrified of smudges though.

No problem at all, if you wear gloves while playing.

That would look good with a full-sized coin door.

Yes, it would, but I couldn't find a chrome coindoor (within the customers budget)

[rablack97]

very nice, did you seal the mdf first before applying?

my last build was done in vinyl wrap, turned out super nice.  awesome alternative to paint.  I used an avery version which was cheaper than the 3m.



Very easy to apply, just make sure you use a felt squeegee to work out the bubbles, the plastic squeegee leaves scratches on the finish.





Looking forward to more pics

[ark_ader]

That cab looks sweet! 

[Slippyblade]

No problem at all, if you wear gloves while playing.

I'm at work and my co-workers all looked at me funny cause I was laughing at this comment.  At the mention of gloves I got the mental image of someone playing pac-man while wearing one of those clean-room bunny suits.  Putting a beer into a mounted cup-holder.

[mgb]

This cab looks very slick.
The only thing I don't like is that little goofy coin slot but I understand
you had to keep in budget.
But a full size chromed coin door would have been sweet

[Sjaak]

All finished and ready to ship...

[DaOld Man]

 

[mgb]

very sleek

[DGP]

[sharpfork]

I painted for years and absolutely hate having to try to get glossy finishes without oil based paint, a proper spray booth, and a significant amount of time.  Your solution is a really sweet way to get similar results with significantly less effort.  It looks great!
Does the Chrome Vinyl on the CP seem like it will hold up longer term?
What happens if you nick the vinyl moving the cab, can it be repaired with a patch?

[Sjaak]

Does the Chrome Vinyl on the CP seem like it will hold up longer term?
What happens if you nick the vinyl moving the cab, can it be repaired with a patch?

The vinyl is supposed to go on cars, so it's very tough. I have not seen any scratches on the cp after normal use.

You can reheat the plastic and it will become flexible again. That way you should be able to hide small nicks. You could also put a small patch on it, but that will be noticable if you look up close.

[Hockeyboy]

No problem at all, if you wear gloves while playing.

I'm at work and my co-workers all looked at me funny cause I was laughing at this comment.  At the mention of gloves I got the mental image of someone playing pac-man while wearing one of those clean-room bunny suits.  Putting a beer into a mounted cup-holder.

You say that as if it's a bad thing...I've been working in a cleanroom environment, wearing the "bunny suit", at Intel for over 18 years now. 

Love the clean look of that cabinet - very nice! Just keep the rugrats away and it will look good.