where can i buy black contact paper?

[alundra]

i cant find any place that sell plain black contact paper..anyone know where can i buy them..thanks

[AlanS17]

Black contact paper is going to be next to impossible to find. It's most commonly used for lining the inside of drawers, and apparently nobody likes black drawers.

You probably don't want contact paper, anyways. It's not very durable. I'd recommend adhesive backed vinyl.

In fact, paigeoliver is selling a blue camo overlay in a thread in the B/S/T forum. If it's the Happ overlay I'm thinking of, it's thick and heavy duty. I don't know if you need black or if you are willing to settle for something else, but the overlay that paigeoliver has is specifically made for what you want to do (assuming you want contact paper for an overlay).

[alundra]

most cabinets are black..im not sure it is contact paper or something else..but i need something that is plain black for my cabinet..

[AlanS17]

Are you looking for something to cover the control panel or the sides (or both)?

Contact paper will not work at all for the sides. It'll start pealing after a few weeks. It'll only work for the control panel if it's covered with lexan or plexi. Most cabinets use black paint or black adhesive backed vinyl for the sides.

Overlays are usually made from very thin plastic. Sometimes it's adhesive backed and sometimes it's just held in place by a layer of plexi.

If you're looking for something to cover the sides, it's going to be expensive if you don't just paint it. However, Happ sells adhesive backed vinyl on their site. If you're just looking for something for the control panel, I strongly recommend the overlay that paigeoliver has for sale.

[alundra]

i want to cover both side and cp..is this vinyl thing is that expensive? i dont want to paint it..cause the back of my cab was painted black and compare it with the sides(which is cover by vinyl), the sides look much better and smoother...

[AlanS17]

Well here'a a link for the Happ vinyl. I guess it's not crazy expensive, but painting is still alot cheaper. I'm sure there are other vendors, but this is the only one I know off the top of my head. This topic has been discussed before, though. You should be able to find more info if you search for it.

http://www.happcontrols.com/vending/acesor/49057200.htm

[M3talhead]

A better option is to go with vinyl from PartsExpress.com

[AlanS17]

I've heard that said based on price, but the roll isn't as wide. Does that make it difficult to install?

[M3talhead]

You can check out my project thread on how I applied Parts Express's vinyl to my cab. here.

[pcb]

A better option is to go with vinyl from PartsExpress.com

I'd go with the Happ stuff.  It should be wide enough to apply in one piece.

[Tiger-Heli]

You can check out my project thread on how I applied Parts Express's vinyl to my cab. here.

My desktop controller uses Parts Express vinyl.  I really like it.  You could also use laminate (formica), but you would really need a laminate trimmer or router with laminate bit for that.

[AlanS17]

You can check out my project thread on how I applied Parts Express's vinyl to my cab. here.

My desktop controller uses Parts Express vinyl.

[MonitorGuru]

A better option is to go with vinyl from PartsExpress.com

I will second Parts Express !!!

Quick shipping, good product.

Quality of a product on the scale between (1) shelf liner/side art quality vinyl and (10) original quality reverse printed flexible lexan control panel overlays is somewhere about a 6.

In other words:
+ It won't slide around from heat (in a large enough area) like a thin "contact paper" shelf liner
+ It will withstand wear without bubbling or tearing
+ It has a VERY sticky backing!!!
+ Colors will not smear

- It is NOT as good as reverse printed control panel overlays as the material that is colored IS the surface--there isn't an additional clear plastic textured surface above it. This doesn't matter much since it's not artwork printed under it
- It will therefore become "glossy" around where it is used faster than an original control panel overlay. (Sorta like how black notebook/laptop keyboard keys become glossy with use like part of the spacebar over time)


However I found it to be about the same quality as some cheaper 1990's replacement control panel overlay materials... just not quite as good as say an original Pac-Man/Galaga CPO.

Don't waste any money on cheap contact paper... at least go with the parts express stuff unless you can find some better quality stuff.  As a home machine you still should never have to replace the Parts Express stuff.

[Kev-in DFW]

You can pick up Wilsonart plain black laminate in a 60 finish (semi-gloss) at Home Depot for about $50.00 a sheet.  That's 4' x 8' and it would take 2 sheets to do both sides of your cabinet.  It is the most durable stuff and rather easy to install.  But like all things, you have to buy a trimmer, bit, adhesive, etc, etc.

Good Luck,

Kev~

[AlanS17]

You can pick up Wilsonart plain black laminate in a 60 finish (semi-gloss) at Home Depot for about $50.00 a sheet.

[Kev-in DFW]

Alan,

I sprayed my cabinet with enamel using a cheap air sprayer I picked up at Harbor Freight.

[alundra]

You can pick up Wilsonart plain black laminate in a 60 finish (semi-gloss) at Home Depot for about $50.00 a sheet.
Kev~

$50 a sheet..Jesus!! when Happ sell vinyl sheet for only 5 bucks!!!

[quarterback]

You can pick up Wilsonart plain black laminate in a 60 finish (semi-gloss) at Home Depot for about $50.00 a sheet.
Kev~

$50 a sheet..Jesus!! when Happ sell vinyl sheet for only 5 bucks!!!

Happs sells vinyl for about $5 PER FOOT

[M3talhead]

You can pick up Wilsonart plain black laminate in a 60 finish (semi-gloss) at Home Depot for about $50.00 a sheet.
Kev~

$50 a sheet..Jesus!! when Happ sell vinyl sheet for only 5 bucks!!!

He's right. Happs screws people on vinyl. Go with Parts Express. Its exactly the same product, but a lot cheaper.
Happs sells vinyl for about $5 PER FOOT

Parts Expres sells the same vinyl as Happs. Happs just overcharges way to much. For the 4 rolls I used, it cost around $68. I had plenty of leftovers (almost an entire roll).

[pcb]

He's right. Happs screws people on vinyl. Go with Parts Express. Its exactly the same product, but a lot cheaper.
Happs sells vinyl for about $5 PER FOOT

It may be the same stuff, but is it as wide?  If you don't want a seam down the middle of the cabinet, go with full sheets from Happ, Unless your cab doesn't require anything wider than 24".