CPO issues

[s_busby_uk]

I'm basically pleased with my COP application - no air bubbles at all and it looks nice. However, in certain light you can see an impression of the joystick plates through the vinyl. It's not too noticeable but it's not "perfect".

I'm assuming this is not normal and/or avoidable. What should I have done?

[Minwah]

Mounting the joysticks under the panel is the best way to avoid this.

Otherwise you could use filler to fill gaps between panel and joystick plates...but even so it would be difficult to hide altogether, especially if your joystick plates are not 100% flush with the panel.

[s_busby_uk]

Well I had to top-mount my Seimitsus in order to get the right height on the shaft in the wood I was using.

Was thinking - I could probably have avoided the problem if the vinyl was top-adhesive, then I could apply it to the underside of my perspex instead. I'm not sure it's big enough of a problem any more to warrant doing it over - seems to be almost unnoticable in general room light at least.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Any gaps in the CPO are unavoidable, especially after some time goes by.  My joysticks are mounted from underneath but my trackball plate is recessed on top (with bondo filling in the gaps).  I have an adhesive backed CPO graphic over that.  I notice at certain angles while looking at it now, that I can see the faint outline of the square trackball plate.  It bothered me at first, but I eventually got over it.  It's only noticeable if you point it out.

D

[lamprey]

Another possible option is to use a thin sheet of acrylic (or wood I suppose) on top of the CP and adhere the overlay to that. Perhaps that would throw off your depth. But, even at 1/8" think, that should be too much of a difference. Granted you have to drill more holes and such, but tradeoffs. 

[s_busby_uk]

Yeah the thought had occurred to get a thin layer of acrylic in there, but it would throw the height of my joysticks off and, more to the point, add more expense and effort that I'm almost done spending! Thanks for all the tips though guys.