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Affixing a CP Overlay with wrap-around
PlaneGuy:
Sup all,
I'm making my 2nd arcade joystick and one of things I wanted to do was do was have just the overlay on the panel: no lexan, etc.
Now, included in "etc" is t-molding. I'd like to have the vinyl (that's the right stuff to use, right?) wrap around the edges so the top is a continuous surface. My main question is if this is a good idea. Would I encounter any problems trying to glue (or whatever) the overlay down where it wraps around? Is there a certain kind of material (different thickness vinyl or something) I should look into? Has anybody done it this way before?
Minwah:
Thin vinyl like the stuff from Happ should rap around a 90degree bend just about OK. It is crucial to get a good surface to stick it to tho or else it will raise up...be particularly aware of end grain (eg in MDF).
Anything thicker (like control panel overlay) than that is probably a bad idea.
You didn't say the angle or if it is a curve you want to wrap it around so not sure if this is helpful...
mahuti:
I have done this, to great effect. In addition to my printed control panel, I occasionally use cheap, off-the-shelf vinyl/pleather to cover my CPs. Here's some steps;
1. Go to fabric store, by cheap & supple vinyl
2. Use a hasp to slightly round off edges of your CP on all sides.
3. Make sure your holes are already drilled, any necessary mounting plates are installed
4. Cut vinyl to overlap CP on all sides by a few inches.
5. Lay vinyl face down
6. Spray a light-medium amount of glue or spray-adhesive to the underside of the vinyl
7. lay CP on the vinyl.
8. Wrap 1 side of the vinyl around the back / bottom of the CP. (make sure to fold the corners in.)
9. Staple that 1 side.
10. Grab opposite side of the vinyl, stretch slightly (warming it up with heatgun or hair dryer may help) wrap around front side, staple (make sure to fold the corners in).
11. Stretch ends slightly and wrap around to bottom of CP, fold corners in, staple (Make sure top is smooth, wrinkle free first)
12. Let glue drie.
13. Use new blade on x-acto knife to cut holes in vinyl... you can start with holes a bit smaller than they need to be... you can always cut more off, but you sure can't add more if it's gone.
The picture on the homepage of localarcade.com is a pic from one of my vinyl covered CPs.
more pics in my sig.
IG-88:
--- Quote from: mahuti on October 18, 2005, 06:29:45 pm ---
The picture on the homepage of localarcade.com is a pic from one of my vinyl covered CPs.
more pics in my sig.
--- End quote ---
Dude that is sweet! What did that cost you?
mahuti:
The vinyl? About 6 to 8 bucks... don't remember... it was like... $3.99 a yard, and I bought more than I needed for 1 cp. Cheap.