CPO + Plexi or Only CPO????

[SurferMatti]

Well I'm getting closer to being finished... Im finishing up the control panel right now.

I had originally wanted to go with a cpo and plexi on the top.  But I think I may get mamemarquees to do my custom cpo, as I hear they do good work. On the site they note, "Control Panel overlays are covered with Polycarbonate laminate (also used for bullet proof glass!) which offers a very tough, scratch resistant and textured surfaces."

So is that good enough or would it benefit me to put plexi on top, cosmetically or otherwise???



Thanks

[leapinlew]

It's good enough for me!

It's very durable material and you can use it without plexi.

[SurferMatti]

Anyone think that the plexi makes for a better look in some way???

[gamecreature]

I went with the CPO alone because mine wrapped around, making plexiglass impractical. If your CP is flat, plexi certainly is an option. Plexi adds an extra level of protection and makes even the dullest print job shine.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Polycarbonate is Lexan, so there's no huge benefit to putting plexi over the Lexan--unless your friends like to take knives to your CP.
If that's the case, you need new friends, not plexi.

Most of the arcade manufacturers either screenprinted directly on the metal (Atari, Nichibutsu, some Midway, etc...), or screenprinted the back of thin Lexan (Williams and some Midway) on their dedicated CPs.
Plexi didn't make a real showing until the "conversion age".
It was cheaper to print the overlay cheaply and cover it with plexi.

[SurferMatti]

Ahhh... Well thanks for the replys.  Think I might go with the cpo alone.

Thanks

[ahofle]

I like the look of my lexan cover, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably not do it, especially given the tough overlays that are available now.  The cutting and drilling of lexan is not something of which I have found memories.

[BlinKY1337]

Nothing beats the look of some good artowrk under a nice layer of plexi glass  think of it like framing a picture vrs using thumb tacks to pin it on your wall  Get a fornster bit and either score it slowly then snap it or use a router to cut

[DaveMMR]

The addition of Plexi/Lexan is a bit more of a hassle and expense than I'm willing to add.  Well - it's not expensive really unless you're like me and will have to buy three times as much material since you know you'd screw up the first two.  Nontheless, still a hassle considering the home cab is usually in a controlled environment (unless you have friends who put out their cigarette on your furniture).  You can do without the covering - but that's just my opinion.  I would only do it if I really liked the look.

[leapinlew]

Nothing beats the look of some good artowrk under a nice layer of plexi glass  think of it like framing a picture vrs using thumb tacks to pin it on your wall  Get a fornster bit and either score it slowly then snap it or use a router to cut

I disagree...

Think of it as having a Mona Lisa and hanging it on the wall, or imagine putting a piece of plexi over her.

It's personal preference.