Monitor Glass dilemma - considering I have P202

[darthbane2k]

Im using a Black 21" IBM P202 monitor for my cab.
Now im not sure whether to use tinted glass to cover it or clear glass with a cardboard bezel behind it.
Thing is I hear tinted loses some brightness and the P202 monitor isnt that bright already because of its anti glare filter. At the moment without any glass, my brightness is set in the 90s - so would you think it be a disaster if I go for tinted?

How much further did you have to increase your brightness once tinted glass was installed?

[Minwah]

How much further did you have to increase your brightness once tinted glass was installed?

Not a lot.  That probably doesn't help much tho!

Try to get a sample and hold it in front of your screen.

[darthbane2k]

How much further did you have to increase your brightness once tinted glass was installed?

Not a lot.

[jcrouse]

Well, here's a philosophy. You can always make it darker but you can't un-tint it. That being said, if you go with clear glass you can always go to the local tint shop where the kids get the car windows tinted and have the glass done. It's very high quality, there are a few different shades and darknesses and it's relatively inexpensive. That is, if you have a tint shop available.

John

[darthbane2k]

where the kids get the car windows tinted and have the glass done.

LOL so true! 

[Pik4chu]

Thats the problem - its so difficult finding glass where I live I have to order it specially, meaning no samples. If I order and find out its too dark then ive wasted money.

Then again I could go clear and make a card bezel to block out the area surrounding the monitor - thing is I cannot envision how I can get a bezel cut accurately.

to get it cut the way you want.  Take the glass and lay it on a big sheet of paper. trace around the paper to mark the edges of the glass.  Then put the glass in place and measure/guestimate how much of a border you will need.  Then draw it onto the paper.  Then find your cardboard you will use and put teh paper over it and use it as a trace for your cut.  Also chekc out the 2$ bezel link in the sticky

[RayB]

In this case I think I would say to stick with clear glass...

[NoOne=NBA=]

I would go with tinted glass AND a black cardboard bezel.
It will help prevent light bleeds that would show the monitor through the glass.
I would, and have, put adhesive vinyl graphics on the glass to hide the outer edges of the bezel, as well.

[darthbane2k]

I would go with tinted glass AND a black cardboard bezel.
It will help prevent light bleeds that would show the monitor through the glass.
I would, and have, put adhesive vinyl graphics on the glass to hide the outer edges of the bezel, as well.

did you put the adhiesive on the front of the glass panel or behind it?

I was thinking of doing this to add game instructions for mame and mamewah etc

[NoOne=NBA=]

With tinted glass it has to go on the front.

Most of the original games had the art silk-screened onto the back of the glass, and used a second piece of smoked lexan, between that and the monitor, to provide the tint.

Art on the front isn't a big deal in a home environment.

[dema]

With tinted glass it has to go on the front.

Most of the original games had the art silk-screened onto the back of the glass, and used a second piece of smoked lexan, between that and the monitor, to provide the tint.

Art on the front isn't a big deal in a home environment.

You could also sandwich the art between a piece of smoked glass and clear glass. This will protect the art from what little exposure it has at home. I am going to do this method with a piece of 1/8" clear acrylic and a 3/16" smoked acrylic -- hopefully I'll be happy with the results or else I'll just come up with a makeshift bezel behind the glass and artwork on the front of the monitor glass.

[NoOne=NBA=]

That will work if you use something that actually retains the glass.
Mine has four steel plates, that attach to cabinet magnets screwed to the sides of the cab, to hold it in place.
The front piece would just fall off, if I did that.

My art is thermal printed onto vinyl, which will hold up to all but intentional mischief.
It's used commercially for short-run vehicle graphics.
The only things that really affect it are solvents, and moderate-heavy abrasion.

[tommy]

Get yourself a peice of 1/8 grey temperd.  Normally one would go with 1/4 grey, but in your case you want it not so dark  so use 1/8 over 1/4 and it will be fine.