Author Topic: partsexpress vinyl (Read 9295 times)

SNAAKE · « **on:** December 23, 2008, 08:02:51 pm »

this is the real deal here. really..REALLY good for covering arcade cabinets and control panel. no problem for corners at all. if you wanna skip painting or laminating then this is a great alternative. I am building a sit down cabinet and so far everything looks great and I have totally happy with the result.

10/10 http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=261-618

oscar used it years ago and check out his cabinet here
http://mirrors.arcadecontrols.com/www.oscarcontrols.com/unnamed/

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2008, 08:26:34 pm »

Awesome stuff. I saved on shipping by ordering it through Amazon.

LINK

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #2 on:** December 25, 2008, 05:45:49 am »

This might be a godsend for me...

I wonder how this stuff compares to the Happ vinyl...
http://www.happcontrols.com/vending/acesor/49057200.htm

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #3 on:** December 25, 2008, 09:41:21 am »

Width is the key. ' (24") isn't wide enough for most cabs

SNAAKE · « **Reply #4 on:** December 25, 2008, 01:32:29 pm »

^ wonder how oscar did it. quite a mystery we have here....

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #5 on:** December 25, 2008, 03:48:25 pm »

I can only assume there is a seam somewhere...

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2008, 04:00:23 pm »

Yeah I figure he conceded to the seam...

I didn't notice that width bit, but I don't have an experienced eye.

I definitely would not concede to the seam, but I think I can fudge with it since the front of my cab has alot of angles... There really aren't any really big flat spaces other than the sides, and blue laminate is going on those.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2008, 04:27:07 pm »

I just used the stuff for covering a CP. I would never attempt a full cab.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2008, 06:29:11 pm »

Why is that?

Is the stuff not durable enough? unsightly? Too much of a hassle to handle?

I mean I'm putting artwork over many parts of my cab, possibly including the front where the coin door is. All I would be using this on is all the leftover sections.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2008, 06:46:23 pm »

Quote from: Organic Jerk on December 25, 2008, 06:29:11 pm

Why is that?

I just wouldn't want to have a seam. Figure out how to conceal it and I'm sure it would be fine. (Also, be careful on large areas not to get bubbles. If you do, pop them with a needle and smooth it out)

prOk · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2008, 02:56:26 pm »

Also consider this stuff is just cheap shelf paper vinyl, not industrial stuff. Changes in temperature will cause it to shrink, teh glue to release on the edges and all kinds of horrid things over time.. top that off with the fact that it's paper thin and you have a pretty hoky (albeit cheap) vinyl option. There's a reason the good stuff costs more

whammoed · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2008, 09:41:02 am »

Quote from: prOk on December 29, 2008, 02:56:26 pm

Also consider this stuff is just cheap shelf paper vinyl, not industrial stuff. Changes in temperature will cause it to shrink, teh glue to release on the edges and all kinds of horrid things over time.. top that off with the fact that it's paper thin and you have a pretty hoky (albeit cheap) vinyl option. There's a reason the good stuff costs more

prOk,

where do we buy the good stuff? I know Rich has some at thisoldgame.com ...is that the good stuff?

prOk · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:07:14 pm »

yea, thisoldgame, arcadeshop, quarter arcade and even me

It's not dirt cheap like parts express but the quality is so much better.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2009, 10:42:21 am »

Good info all around.... Thanks prOk

shardian · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2009, 11:41:10 am »

Parts express vinyl is a step or two above shelf paper.

SNAAKE · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2009, 02:31:17 pm »

Quote from: shardian on January 05, 2009, 11:41:10 am

Parts express vinyl is a step or two above shelf paper.

yup totally agree. its perfect for arcade cabinets. you still need t-molding though. overall I am very satisfied. totally beats painting or laminating.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2009, 03:04:46 pm »

Quote from: shardian on January 05, 2009, 11:41:10 am

Parts express vinyl is a step or two above shelf paper.

Would you say that the stuff from thisoldgame is a step above the stuff from partsexpress?

shardian · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2009, 01:36:16 pm »

I don't have much experience with thisoldgame's stuff. I've handled a sample of the 720 vinyl, and it seemed pretty durable. I don't think it was laminated though.
Whenever Rich ships the 720 stuff, I'll be able to see the 720 vinyl, and his black vinyl. I'll take a snippet of my black parts express vinyl over to Wade's and compare.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2009, 03:10:07 am »

Hey Shard, any word about the vinyl differences?

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2009, 03:15:06 pm »

Well as an update, I laid some of the partsexpress vinyl down and I'm not sure I'm satisfied with the quality level of it.

Interestingly enough I plan on building speakers sometime soon so I'll just save this stuff for that.

I've never handled the stuff from ThisOldGame, but at this point I'd at least like to be sure that what I'm putting down is known and "certified" for cab usage, so I'll be picking some up.

gonzo90017 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2009, 01:29:40 am »

Keep us posted.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2009, 04:43:25 pm »

Ok, so I have both sitting in front of me...

Just to confirm, I have the "Matt Black Cabinet Vinyl" from This Old Game and "Black Textured Vinyl Laminate" from PartsExpress

Tactilely, obviously by name they're very different, the thisoldgame material has an excellent very smooth satin/matt sheen, and the partsexpress has an excellent very fine textured finish, almost smooth..

As far as thickness, the partsexpress stuff is a teeny bit thicker, if that means anything (but that may just be because the existence of the texture requires that).

I'm not sure how to test durability or if there are factors that cannot be told visually, but aside from the aesthetic choice of smooth or textured, they actually feel about the same.. They both bend and have the same feel about them when playing with pieces of them....same level of tack to them...

Now my decision seems to be whether I want a smooth or textured finish on my cab.

shardian · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2009, 11:16:16 am »

Rich still hasn't shipped the 720 vinyl, so I have yet to see the black vinyl. Good to see you got to test it.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #23 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:22:50 pm »

I think I'm going to go with the partsexpress vinyl.

I ran my fingernail at varying strengths on both vinyls, and the smooth stuff definitely showed marks at any level. Running my nails on the partsexpress vinyl didn't leave any marks whatsoever, as it seems the texture really holds up. I personally won't purposely be scratching the vinyl, but as far as accidents are concerned, you never know what could happen.

The Aesthetic on Rich's vinyl is much better and more suited for the arcade look, obviously... The partespress stuff has a sort of electronic appliance look to it, as it was meant for... but if at the end of the day one is stronger and the other isn't, I don't know if I have much of a choice...

UPDATE:

Scratched both vinyls with a key and a screw...

In both situations, they left marks and gashes, but the textured stuff held up under a little bit more duress before giving in. Also, blemishes in the textured don't stand out as much as blemishes in the smooth..

Ummon · « **Reply #24 on:** February 09, 2009, 03:25:52 am »

Yeah, vinyl is soft stuff, and anything with a smooth finish will blemish.

ViciousXUSMC · « **Reply #25 on:** February 09, 2009, 08:01:32 am »

I just used some ebay "contact paper" which I think is the cheaper version of this stuff black marble design on my control panel and I like it. It has a very Mortal Kombat 3 feel to it, and it does what painting can not easily do, give me a good design. It was $5 for a 18"x6ft roll I really like it so far, but it would be a pain to do a whole cab with it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=360125198630

I did my keyboard drawer area and due to how its laid out I used 2 pieces and I must say seams are hard to see, even on this one that has an actual design on it the seam is hard to spot. In something that is just one color I do not think you could see a seam unless you looked for it.

Dont try to cut them both so that they end side by side, just overlap it, its so thin that you wont notice, or cut the top one in a decorative manner like notches so it looks like some kind of woven fabric.

Also from applying it I do not think what the above person said is a good idea, to "pop" an airbubble. If you did that you will probably end up with a wrinkle or something where to much material is in one place. Using the trapped air and pushing it out forces the fabric to be flat and even. I just cut my corners not sure how people wrapped them with a blow dryer but I would like to learn that technique.

With that and some t-molding it should come out rather nice.

Ummon · « **Reply #26 on:** February 10, 2009, 08:37:14 pm »

Quote from: ViciousXUSMC on February 09, 2009, 08:01:32 am

I just used some ebay "contact paper" which I think is the cheaper version of this stuff black marble design...

Perhaps you haven't been around here long enough to know that the marble look is scorned by many.

ViciousXUSMC · « **Reply #27 on:** February 11, 2009, 12:40:08 am »

Quote from: Ummon on February 10, 2009, 08:37:14 pm

Quote from: ViciousXUSMC on February 09, 2009, 08:01:32 am
I just used some ebay "contact paper" which I think is the cheaper version of this stuff black marble design...

Perhaps you haven't been around here long enough to know that the marble look is scorned by many.

Heh, that doesn't matter though does it? I am building it for me not for many.

The idea was contact paper, not the design it uses, they have many types available.

I got the first parts of the CP done today and I think it looks really nice actually:

tony.silveira · « **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2009, 04:04:51 pm »

has anyone had any experience working with wilson metal laminates? i received my samples and these wold look GREAT as a panel but they are very rigid and would seem hard to work with

thanks

Ummon · « **Reply #29 on:** February 13, 2009, 07:52:58 pm »

Quote from: tony.silveira on February 13, 2009, 04:04:51 pm

has anyone had any experience working with wilson metal laminates? i received my samples and these wold look GREAT as a panel but they are very rigid and would seem hard to work with

thanks

Laminate is laminate. Many have used it, and used a router I think to cut it. Do a search in project announcements.

Quote from: tony.silveira on February 13, 2009, 04:04:51 pm

has anyone had any experience working with wilson metal laminates? i received my samples and these wold look GREAT as a panel but they are very rigid and would seem hard to work with

thanks

I'm not against it, though I can see the sentiment of those who are.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #30 on:** February 28, 2009, 09:17:36 pm »

Update on my vinyl situation: I decided not to use either.

After trying both of them on different areas on my CP, I didnt end up liking either. It didn't feel durable and I can see trying to vinyl the more complicated areas of my cabinet being a hassle. The thisoldgame stuff was way too senstive and the partsexpress stuff ended up being brittle. I couldn't get it going around the cp without it cracking midway.

I ended up getting a MUCH better finish (in my opinion) by spraypainting textured black paint and sanding down the texture a bit with a 320 grit sanding sponge. It's also much more durable, much easier to patch, and much easier to handle the job with.

So my verdict: textured spraypaint + light sanding with very fine grit to take down texture.

Sorry, folks.

Ummon · « **Reply #31 on:** March 01, 2009, 05:16:58 pm »

Sounds good. Don't need a paint gun and chamber to do it in, either. Pictures of the color and type of texture paint?


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