Attaching CPO suggestions?

[namedos]

I am anxiously waiting for my CPO to be printed by Mamemarquees.  I will be attaching it to a new Control Panel and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or advice on the best way to do this.

Thanks!

[Bones]

Are you using Lexan?

Many times the Lexan held in place by the buttons is enough to hold it all down.

If not, you may have to consider some type of spray-on adhesive.

[namedos]

No lexan, Mamemarquees is using that thick material that protects the CPO.

I'm planning on using a spray on adhesive although I do have some concerns that the front edge will peel up.

[namedos]

>>bump<<

Has anyone bought a CPO from Mamemarquees?

[markrvp]

Are they not printed on adhesive vinyl?  If they are, then you just peel off the protective backing and stick it down.  If not, then get 3M adhesive vinyl from Home Depot.

Here is the tip of the day(if it is adhesive vinyl) - spray a fine mist of water on your CP before putting down the adhesive vinyl.  This will keep it from sticking hard right away and allow you to move it a little bit once it's down.  Once you get it positioned just right, use a roller to roll out the moisture.  Wipe the whole thing off with a paper towel and you get a perfect application.

[spriggy]

Are they not printed on adhesive vinyl?  If they are, then you just peel off the protective backing and stick it down.  If not, then get 3M adhesive vinyl from Home Depot.

Here is the tip of the day(if it is adhesive vinyl) - spray a fine mist of water on your CP before putting down the adhesive vinyl.  This will keep it from sticking hard right away and allow you to move it a little bit once it's down.  Once you get it positioned just right, use a roller to roll out the moisture.  Wipe the whole thing off with a paper towel and you get a perfect application.

I remember reading a tip donkeys ago, about adding drop of washing up liquid to the water... and I mean a drop.

I used this method on a job and it worked just like markrvp stated.  I don't know if the washing up liquid makes any difference as opposed to standard water...but it worked great.

[markrvp]

Yes, add the drop of dish liquid.

[RayB]

If your CP has no bends, then you just peel n stick.

If your CP has sharp bends that you plan on wrapping the overlay on, well... you might want to consider cutting it into pieces... even with spray adhesive I could not get mine to stay down at the corner (have a 90' angled bend).

[coasternuts]

I put mine over lexan where the holes were already cut out.  And of course I slightly missed the artwork over the trackball hole and it shows horribly. :\'(

Next panel I'm thinking of applying the overlay and then cutting out the holes, maybe even cut to length.

[namedos]

Yes, it is peel and stick.  Kevin had some recommendations on primer and then using a wallpaper adhesive.  If it has a bend use 3M spray adhesive. 

I don't have a bend in mine and I'm putting it on a new control panel. 

I was wondering about installing it like a laminate and put some dowels down first but it seems like it would still stick to the dowels.  Sounds like a fine mist of water might do the trick but is it going to be prone to bubbling in the future?

Once it is adhered I need to drill and cut out my holes.  This would seem to put a lot of pressure on the CPO and possibly tear it.  Would it be be better to cut the holes in the wood, apply the CPO and then use an X-Acto knife to cut the holes?  Only other thought I've had is to use a piece of lexan over it but that seems like a waste of money.

[subcriminal]

My CPO was self adhesive. I sprayed water on with a drop of washing up liquid as advised by vehicle graphics fitter bloke. Sqeegeed the bubbles out and cut the holes for the buttons with a Stanley knife. The vinyl is tough enough to be left uncovered but I covered it with 3mm lexan and it looks much better IMO. Any kind of printed CPO will wear however tough the vinyl is, unless you're gonna use the kitchen floor type
If you try to put a big sticker on dry, you'll get bubbles and creases unless you're real lucky! It's supprising how much water you can put vinyl stickers on with. Mine was pretty much floating! You could move it around on the control panel, then once the water is smoothed out the adhesive sticks.

[nostrebor]

Subcriminal has it about right. His holes were already drilled and he lined up the cpo to the existing holes. This is really much easier than it sounds, especially if there are no bends.