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Laminate Finishes
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GoPodular.com:
I did a short article on laminates:
http://www.gopodular.com/support_articles/melamine_vs_laminate_arcade_enclosures.htm

It was just uploaded last night.  It's aimed more towards melamine vs laminate, but it has most of what what discussed here.

I've found that vertical grade laminate scratches easier than horizontal.
Wade:
Bowing won't be an issue with a game cabinet because the cabinet is structurally rigid.  Is that what your concern is?

I use a lot of laminate on many games, and I use both types, the thicker type and the vertical grade.  It just depends on the application, and if the extra thickness will be an issue or not.

I wouldn't use a patterned type, ever.  That sounds like a great way to make a video game look like a cheap countertop, or worse, one of those horrible contact paper covered MAME cabinets.  Go with a solid color.

For black, I use the Matte finish, however it does show fingerprints pretty easily.  That has only been an issue on one cabinet, and all it takes is some Windex to remove it (I Windex the glass on my games routinely anyway).

Wade
AMDman13:
Thanks Wade. I have decided to go with the matte finish. Can't beat the price, plus not as many finger prints. I picked up a sample from HD it appears to be the thicker type. I will sit it flush on the cab and check t-molding clearance. I originally had planned to paint. My cab is 3/4 and the molding is the same.

I was wondering if "booing" was some kind of techie laminate talk...  ;). I will probably paint the intermost portions of the cab as all of my support strips are in place using brads and Titebound wood glue. So probably speaker shelf, coin door, and sides at least. May do back panels and top, but am undecided.
AMDman13:
Turns out that my sample is just a tad too thick in some areas. Now I can either use a sharpie to color the edges, but I have 4 children and I know somehow they will get something caught on the edge and that will could turn out very ugly. My other options are: #1) Go over my slots a little in those areas a bit more with the router and use some hot glue to fix. #2)  Go with thinner vert laminate which is not as structurally sound. #3) Sell the 3/4 T-molding and buy some 13/16" which uses a smaller slot bit and will require me to glue all of the T-molding making the color choice a permanent one. :-\ Too many dang choices....

I'm leaning toward option #1. Any suggestions opinions?
squirrellydw:
mine is like 1/16 if that.
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