To plexi or not to plexi...that is the question.

[brianoneill]

Hi.
I'm about ready to order my CP overlay and was wondering wheter its best to cover a CP with plexi or not ?

I've heard lexan is best but I can't seem to get it here in Ireland.

Plexi would be difficult enough to cut but would protect the artwork.
I also like the look of plexi...its shiny

Anyone not recommend I cover CP overlay with plexi ?

Cheers,
Brian.

[GameOver]

I don't know the diff between plexi & lexan, but would definately recommend covering your CP with something.  I finished my cab back in Oct. '04, didn't cover the CP with anything, and now it's all messed up. 

I plan to get a fresh copy of my CPO from Scott @MameMarquees & re-do my CP, but this time with plexi!!!!  I definately recommend covering your CP with something.

[spystyle]

I am real fond of plexi as it feels so nice and smooth.

[brianoneill]

Well I was going to buy a CP overlay from mamemarquees.
I was wondering if I would need plexi over that ?
It says on their website that their CP overlays are very strong ?

[GameOver]

GROOVY!  Thanks Craig, that tutorial will come in handy once I'm ready for that part.  The only thing I don't like is how you put screws thru your plexi - there's gotta be a better way?

Brian - yes, the surface of the CPO from MameMarquees is very tough.  No problems there!  The problem I have is the edges - even thou I finished my CP edges with T-molding (click on my web page if you wanna see it!  ), people playing the cab still managed to find weak spots around the edges.  At first, just a little 'peel-back' her and there.  After several months, major 'peel-back'.  Putting a plexi cover on top will solve this.

[dabone]

I put plexi on my main cab, and used a overlay on my candycab.

After living with both for a while, the overlay seems to be best for me.

Yes you get the bolt heads sticking up, but so did original games.

And it's much easier to keep the cpo clean, and it doesn't scratch just by looking at it wrong. The plexi has gotten dust under the panel around the trackball and has cracked by one of the buttons, (The kids got a little to rough with the cab)


I'm going to redo my main cabinet's control panel this year, and lose the plexi.


Later,
dabone

[Ken Layton]

Virtually every control panel I build/have built gets a lexan (or plexiglass) protector. Granted, there are exceptions where the original cabinet's control panel may be of an unusual shape or have a curve that would crack a flat plexi (Missile Command comes to mind).

Lexan is an extra strength version of plexiglass. So in Ireland you might find it at a place that sells storm windows for buildings. Here in the USA many large hardware stores  like Lowe's and Home Depot sell Lexan in the storm window section. Many glass shops sell both plexiglass and lexan. They'll cut it to fit for you (sometimes there's a charge for doing it).

When drilling holes, Lexan is less likely to crack than plexiglass. Lexan is more scratch resistant and has an ultraviolet inhibitor built into it to keep your control panel overlay artwork from fading!

[Ken Layton]

Drywall screws? Are they crazy? That would look cheap. It figures that Chuck E Sleeze would do that.  I only use 3/16" carriage bolts on my control panels. Yes, I even file out square holes in the Lexan to make them fit.

[GGKoul]

I got my CP printed by Scott at MameMarquees.  And he can use a special tougher vinyl to print your CP artwork on so you DO NOT need to protect it with plexi overtop.  It's sort of a laminated vinyl. 

It works great!  I got mine done over a year ago and it still looks like new.
And I throw my Xbox & PS2 controllers on it along with various drinks and nothing marks it up.

I would HIGHLY recommend getting Scott to print you CP on the laminated vinyl stuff he has.  Therefore eliminating the need for a plexi to protect the artwork.

[spystyle]

I can dig that, but price is always a consideration, yes? The acrylic I used costs only $4 from Home Depot, and the overlay costs about $1 per square foot. How much is the tough overlay from Mamemarquees?

[RetroJames]

I will always do a straight overlay from now on.  I am not terribly fondof plexi on the cp.  Hard to keep clean,scratches, etc.

[GGKoul]

I can dig that, but price is always a consideration, yes? The acrylic I used costs only $4 from Home Depot, and the overlay costs about $1 per square foot. How much is the tough overlay from Mamemarquees?

Yes, but then there in the pain of drilling through the acrylic. 

[Shape D.]

I know it would be really expensive, and a serious pain to drill holes into, but glass doesn't scratch that easily.

[GGKoul]

Do BYOAC enthusiats find drilling a pain? Maybe you are getting too old for this forum

Hmm... Drilling through plexi is a pain.  If you put too much pressure on the plexi, you'll usually crack it.

[lokki]

Do BYOAC enthusiats find drilling a pain? Maybe you are getting too old for this forum

Hmm... Drilling through plexi is a pain.

[DaveMMR]

I asked the same question a year ago but my responses were mixed: half said do it, half said don't sweat it.

I'm personally skipping the plexi for the cp (if and when I get around to it) for many reasons:

a) I plan on using the tough vinyl from Mamemarquees that GGKoul mentioned.
b) I'm going semi-modular (one full sized panel and numerous small ones)
c) My cab is not going to be in an area where it's subject to heavy abuse.
d) Adds a step (and $$$) to the construction I'm personally not looking forward to and is basically unnecessary.

I personally believe that if you have to ask, then you really don't want to and therefore, shouldn't.  The only exceptions is if you're printing artwork on cheap paper or you have kids who like to color things they're not supposed to.  Just keep drinks away and don't use it as storage and you'll be fine.

[GameOver]

My CPO from MameMarquees does have the special laminate (made w/the same stuff as bulletproof glass or somethin).  It is very tough & has held up just fine.  The problem I had is with the edges - what have you non-plexi people done at the edges?  I used t-molding & coulda swore the edges were covered, but somehow, the CPO started peeling back in certain spots.  Over time (few months) the probelm got much worse to the point where I need to replace the CPO.  the 'bullet proof' laminate actually peeled away from the paper underneath. 

So what does everyone else do around the edges?  Tuck the CPO into the t-molding?  apply extra adhesive?  something else?

[RoboG2]

Someone mentioned something about a better way to mount plexi or lexan onto a cp (without screws)...  I read that even if you screw your joysticks in from underneath, the pushbuttons will hold down your cp just fine.  Not sure though... still waiting to get parts to start on my cab.   

[GGKoul]

My CPO from MameMarquees does have the special laminate (made w/the same stuff as bulletproof glass or somethin).

[spystyle]

Drywall screws? Are they crazy? That would look cheap. It figures that Chuck E Sleeze would do that.  I only use 3/16" carriage bolts on my control panels. Yes, I even file out square holes in the Lexan to make them fit.

Black anodized carriage bolts in the 4 corners, with the pilot holes (in the plexi) filed to match the carriage bolt's square convex - now that's the best idea I've heard all day!

Now, where to find inexpensive black anodized 3/16" (or #10-24) carriage bolts?

I did'nt even know they made files that small!
 

[JODY]

Now, where to find inexpensive black anodized 3/16" (or #10-24) carriage bolts?

Best place I know of is Bob Roberts - www.therealbobroberts.com

[CoinTech]

You might ask for polycarbonate plastic.

[krick]

Were you drilling in reverse?

I first saw that reverse drilling technique in the case mod community.  People adding side windows to their cases.

They also say to buy a cheap drill bit, chock it up in the drill, and drill it into a concrete sidewalk to dull the point as well.  THEN also run it in reverse.

[Scanner]

Go with the plexi overlay.

[ALeX K]

That looks cool. Could you tell me how you deal with the edge condition and how you protect where the plexi stops at the CP edge? I can't quite see in those photos... is it all just covered with T mould? Is there a clip? I am interested in doing a CP like this with no visible top fixings (I have heard that the buttons and sticks can hold down the plexi a fair bit), but would really welcome any advice on a neat way to achieve this with a neat edge condition....

Thanks!

[tommy]

im working on makeing a cp overlay out of 1/4 glass not plastic

[GameOver]

Never thought of using glass...I guess there special glass cutting bits?  Has anyone tried this?  Seems to me it would almost be like cutting tile, some sort of 'wet' cutting approach.  But then again, I'm a programmer not a glass specialist...

[tommy]

i would use the mirror bit we use when cutting outlets in mirrors but smaller   the only prob will be that i have to space the button holes a little further away so the glass dosent run off into the other hole    its something a glass man could do i wouldnt waste my time if you havent worked with glass before

[sodapopinski]

has anybody tried to make their control panel like a giant marquee? I realize that the joystick boxes and microswitch shadows may be visible, but it could be a cool project.

[tommy]

A control panel overlay made of glass?

You must not have kids! As a father I'm all like "no glass things in the house!"

But what about excited gamers who slam on the control panel?

  lol i have no kids and i dont beat up my machines this is my adult toy 

[cholin]

I never heard of anyone doing like a giant marquee, although several people light buttons.  I myself am lighting parts of the control panel when a button is pressed.

[Shape D.]

Use saftey glass, it doesnt shatter when it breaks. and it would probobly be easier to have a professional do it.

[tommy]

Use saftey glass, it doesnt shatter when it breaks. and it would probobly be easier to have a professional do it.

that would be laminated glass 2 peices of glass with plastic in the middle to make on peice

[tommy]

 

[Shape D.]

Use saftey glass, it doesnt shatter when it breaks. and it would probobly be easier to have a professional do it.

that would be laminated glass 2 peices of glass with plastic in the middle to make one peice

Use saftey glass, it doesnt shatter when it breaks. and it would probobly be easier to have a professional do it.

that would be laminated glass 2 peices of glass with plastic in the middle to make on peice

Correct.