T-Molding Color-- Black or Blue?

[sofakng]

Well, I got my t-molding.com samples today but I'm disappointed that I couldn't order "blue".  I was able to get "light blue", but its definitely too light.

Now, I plan on painting my cabinet pure black and then *eventually* getting some artwork.  I *really* like GSXRMovistar's cabinet... (check here: http://www.runriot.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/arcade/)

So... if I paint my cabinet black, but plan to get artwork, should I get black t-molding or blue t-molding (not light blue, but regular blue).

What would you all suggest?

[paigeoliver]

Colored t-molding works wonders on a black cabinet. It can turn a plain cabinet into a real piece of work. So go with the blue.

[AmericanDemon]

I agree.  Get the Blue.

[MonitorGuru]

I agree.. If your cross-pieces (those that you look at looking directly into the control panel) are black, then you'll want to have something "jump" at you on the edge.

I built an Atari mini cabaret replica, and stained the sides Ipswitch Pine (sort of like a reddish golden oak) and painted the cross pieces semi-flat black.  I held up black leather T-Molding and it just got lost.   I then used red, which matched some of the red in the darker areas of the woodgrain on the sides, and jumped out against the black, yet not annoying when playing (like if I had used Pac-Man orange or Galaxian green)

[sofakng]

MonitorGuru:  I'm not sure what you mean by "cross pieces".

For now, my entire cabinet will be painted black.  Eventually I'm going to try to get some artwork (control panel overlay, side art, and marquee).  I'd like a "blue/black" theme though, so I think blue t-molding is the way to go.

My only question is, do they make a leather textured blue t-molding?  T-molding.com sells textured black t-molding and it appears as though it wouldn't show scratches which is great.  However in the blue they appear to only sell "smooth".

Everybody who recommended the blue, do you have smooth or textured?

[MonitorGuru]

Cross-pieces:  A cabinet is made up of two large sides, cut identical. These are the sides that have side art placed on them typically, and/or are usually wood-grained.

The pieces that go cross-wise between the two sides are the cross pieces.  E.g.:  kick plate area with the coin door, the piece under the control panel, the piece above/behind the monitor with the speaker, the top piece behind the marquee, the back door and pieces it is surrounded by.

[sofakng]

Well, I thought of another idea (after looking at a few cabinets)...

If I paint my entire cabinet black... and then use blue t-molding around it, should I still use blue around the control panel?

...or should I maybe use black t-molding to make the control-panel stand out (eg. look different)

Or does that sound like a bad idea?  Maybe I should just go with blue all the way around...?

EDIT:  Also, how much t-molding would I need to go around the entire cabinet?  60' ?

[Sasquatch!]

Arcadeshop Amusements has dark blue t-molding.  I absolutely love the look of it:

EDIT:

Well, I thought of another idea (after looking at a few cabinets)...

If I paint my entire cabinet black... and then use blue t-molding around it, should I still use blue around the control panel?

...or should I maybe use black t-molding to make the control-panel stand out (eg. look different)

Or does that sound like a bad idea?  Maybe I should just go with blue all the way around...?

Heh, I had the exact same idea as you: look at the control panel - I used black t-molding around it.    I didn't like the way that the blue molding looked, so I went with black.  So, uh, I guess decide if you like what you see in my picture!

[sofakng]

Actually, that was the one that I got the idea from!

Your cabinet looks great!

Is that "dark blue" t-molding the same as the "blue" t-molding.com from t-molding.com?

How much t-molding did you end up using?

[sofakng]

Anybody know?  I'm hoping to place an order with one of these two companies tomorrow since I leave for vacation tomorrow night

[RayB]

t-molding only sells light blue, no?
I just bought some. It's more the color of the Ms Pacman tmolding.

In that picture of a cabinet earlier in this thread, the blue looks nice, but lighter blue would have matched your joysticks and buttons!

[sofakng]

T-Molding.com sells "blue" and "light blue".

Regular "blue" looks like a pretty nice color... thats what I'm leaning towards, but I'm looking for opinions on that vs that other "dark blue" one from Arcadeshop Amusements.

Also, I'm still unsure how much to purchase...

[pmc]

If you need another vote on this, my cabinet is black and I used black molding. After a while of being sorry that it really wasn't very noticible, I bought blue to replace the black. I think that providing a colored border/highlight makes a big difference and highlights the professional edging.

I feel similarly about the coin door which is black. It gets lost in the black of the cabinet. The red or orange lights help, but a silver door really sets off the cabinet.

Bottom-line: all black looks all black unless you are up close and all the room lights are on.

[RayB]

T-Molding.com sells "blue" and "light blue".

DAMN IT!! I wanted a darker blue and 3 weeks ago, they weren't selling it! Only light blue! Argh!! (purchased and received it already)

[sofakng]

Did you try giving them a call?  They do have a 15 day return policy (which you are over, but only slightly).

They seem like a nice group of people that might help you out.

I just ordered 60 feet of 3/4" Blue T-Molding.  I wanted to make sure I had enough anyways =)

Good luck!

Thanks to everybody for their suggestions!