To Plexi or not to Plexi

[DaveMMR]

Okay, I need your help.

Originally in my CP plan I was going to forego adding Plexi/Lexan (hereon just Plexi) to save myself some aggravation and extra work.  But then I see some examples and it looks so good sometimes that I started to reconsider.

So anyway... anyone use Plexi on their CP and wish they hadn't, anyone not use Plexi and wish they had or perhaps you're glad you added/omitted Plexi?  Basically I'm looking for someone to convince me that I need it or don't need it so anecdotes are appreciated if there's one involved.

This step in my project is further down the road but I should decide soon since I have to get the proper thickness wood.  Thanks in advance.

[chrisindfw]

I had the same question once... The main thing for me was my artwork.. I spent alot of time and money on it. I didnt want it to get ruined by scratches and such.

So I went with plexi. I am pretty happy. It gives it a nice look and is nice and flush with trackball.

Also, I have a very nice trick on cutting a 3" hole in plexi if you ever need it.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I opted for the best of both worlds.
I printed my CP art on the backside of .010 Lexan, similar to how alot of the classic cabs were.

I've never liked the look of the plexi though, so that influenced my decision to a great degree.
The plexi in the arcades always screamed "mutilated classic cab", or "too cheap to pay for GOOD control panel art" to me.

I always loved the wraparound control panels like Star Trek, Tempest, Robotron, etc...; and all of those had the thing backprinted Lexan.

[bfossett]

Not to threadjack, but one quick question, where did you get your cp printed in reverse on lexan? Is this available at most printshops? Im not quite up to this step in my cab development, but i am looking at the options...

[NoOne=NBA=]

I did mine at work.
Look under "signs" in your phone book, and ask the people you call if they have a Gerber Edge.
If they do, then ask them if they print LexEdge on it.

It does have some limitations.
You can only print about 11-1/2 inches or so with it, but it will do custom cuts after printing to fit whatever shape you need.

Custom screenprinting (which is what the game companies used to do) is going to be REALLY cost prohibitive though.

There are a couple other options, if you find the right people.

1) You can have the image digitally printed on vinyl, and then overlaminated with a protective material (usually polyester).
That comes anywhere from 1-mil, up to probably 7-mil, but I don't know how many shops will stock it above 2-mil (the usual industry standard).

2) You can have larger stuff digitally printed, and then laminated with "floor graphic" covering, like what you'd see for floor ads at the grocery store.
That stuff works great, and is really tough; but, again, not everyone does it.

[DaveMMR]

So those 11-1/2 inches NoOne... is that width or length, because my panel is 26" wide?

And now that I'm thinking about the whole Plexi debate raging in my already cluttered mind I realize I did want to curve the front a little so the art may wrap around.  May look a little goofy with lexan.  

(For the curious I'm pretty much replicating a Centipede cab - in shape at least - that's been modified slightly to allow for a 27" TV.  Definately needs a curved front edge, even if only slightly.  I drew most of the inspiration from Carlos' Centipede cab http://www.retrospieler.de but mine's a little deeper and wider with about an inch added in height.)

[Sasquatch!]

I'm pretty much right in the middle of the fence.  I did cover my CP with plexi, and I certainly don't regret how it looks (on the contrary, I'm very happy with how it looks), but it was such a monumental pain in the arse that I don't know if I'd do it again...

Also, I have a very nice trick on cutting a 3" hole in plexi if you ever need it.

Share, please!  

[rchadd]

when using plexi to cover a CP - do i still need to use the joystick's black dust washers things or can they be removed?

[fredster]

Plexi it.  It makes it last much longer and look pretty good.

You'll regret you didn't do it at the first "ooops" with a strawberry dacari on the 'ol cpo.

[DaveMMR]

Plexi or not, no drinks are going near the CP anyhow (it'll be sloped with no room to place anything).

[Darkstalker]

Has anyone else done any research into the Backlight sign printing you can do at Kinko's?  It looks like they do reverse printing with a textured "front" side.  I was told it's $15/foot, but I don't know if they have any size restrictions or not.

[Witchboard]

when using plexi to cover a CP - do i still need to use the joystick's black dust washers things or can they be removed?

You should route a circle for your dust washers and place them under the artwork and plexi.

[Santoro]

Plexi or not, no drinks are going near the CP anyhow (it'll be sloped with no room to place anything).

Unless you do this:



I love my cup holders.  And, back on topic, this is covered in Lexan and I love it.

[Darkstalker]

You should route a circle for your dust washers and place them under the artwork and plexi.

Wha?  It goes OVER everything else, otherwise it wouldn't do you any good...heh

I love my cup holders.  And, back on topic, this is covered in Lexan and I love it.

Did you cut the Lexan to fit around the riser, or is it sandwiched between the CP and the riser.

About the only way I'd consider NOT putting Plexi/Lexan on my CP is if I got the reverse print laminate.  No way I want my artwork exposed to "the elements".  A scratch on the overlay will look worlds better than damage to the graphics themselves.

<hijack>
I've been thinking about cup/beer holders on my cabinet as well.  With the placement of yours, don't they get in the way of the screen?
</hijack>

[FractalWalk]

Wha?  It goes OVER everything else, otherwise it wouldn't do you any good...heh

No. Most games were designed to have the dust covers go over the joystick base and under the the overlays.  

If you do put them on top, then make sure your artwork accounts for this as they will take up a fair amount of space.

[Witchboard]

I've been debating what to cover my CP with as well.  Would you recommend plexi even if you don't have a high-lip trackball?  I have a regular trackball and was wondering what my options were.  I'm really interested in NoOne's method.  Would this possibly work?

[hunky_artist]

can I ask a silly question?

what's lexan? I know what plexiglass is, I think we call it perspex here in the UK, but lexan? I've never heard of it, apart from in this forum, lol

help!  

[JustMichael]

perspex is acrylic while Lexan is polycarbonate.

[hunky_artist]

but they're both the same kind of thing then? clear 'plastic'?

[DaveMMR]

but they're both the same kind of thing then? clear 'plastic'?

Lexan is a lot stronger that Plexi (which is prone to cracking) but allegedly scratches a bit easier.  It's also slightly more expensive (by how much I don't particularly know).  Lexan is the material of choice for those covering their CPs (at least in a majority of the projects I've seen).

But yes, they are both clear plastic.

And those are some nice cupholders there Santoro.  I'm just going to put a little table nearby since I'm a klutz.  

[Santoro]

Did you cut the Lexan to fit around the riser, or is it sandwiched between the CP and the riser.

The the CP top fits around the riser.  See photo below.

I've been thinking about cup/beer holders on my cabinet as well.  With the placement of yours, don't they get in the way of the screen?

No, if you look closely at the photo you will see that there is black paint about 4-5" up on the backside of the glass - the monitor is higher than the glass implies.

[patrickl]

I'm (most likely) going for a print from ClassicArcadeGrafix. Their CP prints are laminated and thus they need no extra cover to protect them.

The test CP I made (still working on my cab) is covered with a self adhesive book protection foil. This looks pretty nice too. Maybe some panels will be made like that too. Trouble is my printer can't print the colors the way I like em and apparently CAG will be able to do so. And also their, cover is slightly textured, which will hide any small scratches.