CP Perspex ontop.

[Yoodaa]

Almost finished cabinet...Just wondering, should i put perspex ontop of my CPO? I bought it from classic arcade graphics and its a thick vinyl. They say its not nessasary. Any suggestions? I just dont want it scratched or ruined. Thanks

[Tailgunner]

I wouldn't. Plexi/Perspex screams "conversion" to me. The vinyl overlays hold up quite well as is.

[Xiaou2]

 conversion?  no.

 plexi was put on panels so that the cracked and ripped up vinyl didnt bother the players hands.  vinyl will eventally peel at the edges, and will crack given time.  when this happens... it makes a nice sharp edge that gouges into your skin.  then, you rip off the part that is poking you... but eventaully, it gets worse again.  you can see this on most old classic cp's.  

 the plexi prevents lifting, as well as makes it easier to clean... as without it... hand oils and dirt will embed itself deep into the vinyl.

 yeah, it will take a while before it happens... but when it does, its a nightmare to remove and redo.  plexi's basically a one time thing.  
 

[Tailgunner]

True, but a MAME cab won't see anywhere near the abuse that cabs see in arcades.

My dislike of the plexi look stems from my Space Duel conversion. It's a metal CP, and the joysticks were bolted through the plexi. Overtightening has created cracks radiating from the bolt holes, and to top it off someone spilled a soft drink on it which got between the plexi and the vinyl.

Plexi on a flat wood control panel could look nice, as any joystick carridge bolts could be countersunk beneath the vinyl, and your T-molding could be sized to allow for the extra thickness. It will still scratch, and depending on the CP layout they can be a real challenge to gat all the holes to match up.

[patrickl]

I don't like the looks of plexi either. Just leave it uncovered.

Putting plexi on a CP (to me) is like putting plastic covers on your furniture. Sure it will keep the furniture nice, but you won't be able to enjoy it anyway.

[hunky_artist]

y'know these adhesive vinyl CPO's you can get printed, whether reproductions or your own design, do they stick to wood CP's too, or just the metal ones?

[Yoodaa]

Well i will let you know. I got mine from classic arcade graphics and am sticking it to mdf this weekend. Fingers crossed.

[hunky_artist]

hey, how did your MDF sticking on work out?  

(probably a better way to have said that than 'MDF sticking on' ...but you know what i mean, lol)