To plexi or not to plexi.

[falkensmaze]

Can any one advise me on the durability of a CP not covered in perspex (plexi glass) if using a standered CP overlay or will i be better getting thinner wood and covering the CP in plexi?  i.e. Will a CP with no plexi get dirty and gruby over time

[arcade-mad]

Id go with plexi it stops cp overlay getting scratched or dirty or worn away.
if your cp wood is too thick you can get very thin plexi or even cover yor cp in clear fablon (sticky back plastic) to give it a bit of protection.   

[leapinlew]

What do you mean by standard CP overlay? I'm assuming Polycarbonite.

I have both a CP that is made with a plexiglass with printed artwork underneath and a CP that is made of Polycarbonite.

First the CP that is covered in plexiglass:
Pros:

• It's shinier and appears to enhance the printed artwork
• Protects your artwork

Cons

• Some dust specs can get between the plexi and the artwork
• It's not authentic - not many real arcades used plexi

The Polycarbonite
Pros:

• More authentic
• Easy to clean
• More resistant to scratches than plexi

Cons:

• Artwork isn't as crisp
• Surface has a texture to it
• The trackball hole is a little more difficult to cut when doing a flushmount

Thats my take on it. Curious to hear what others have to say.

[subcriminal]

Definately plexi it. Easy to do if you use thin 3mm stuff, looks finished. Who wants a control panel to look 'authentic' (scratched, peeling with ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?--- burns in it!)   

[whynotpizza]

I struggled with that at first also, but am glad I spent the extra time to finish using plexi (in my case LEXAN)

It is worth the effort.

By the way, it is a pain in the kester, took me 6 hours to make my top control panel using lexan with precise cuts and edging and such. Big thing you want to avoid is cracking it.

Here is some more info and some pics on how mine came out...
  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=58902.msg581157#msg581157

Make sure to take your time....and it'll be worth the effort!

 

   David

[DaveMMR]

Do a search and you'll get many different views on using (or not using) plexi.  Personally, I'm skipping plexi since my cabinet will be in a more "controlled" environment (not in an arcade) and it seems likes extra work and money that's not needed. 

[RandyT]

My view may be unpopular, but I personally have no affinity for the "plastic sofa cover" look that the plexi overlays can sometimes give a panel.

Original arcade games, at least the classics, didn't come from the manufacturer with plexi on the panels.  Plastic was often added afterward by the operators to combat vandalism problems.

If the machine is going to be in your living room, or some other controlled environment, a printed overlay with a heavy (10mil or so) textured clear laminate applied should be plenty.  I think it feels better to the touch as well. 

Also keep in mind that plexi protects, but it doesn't seal.  If something gets dumped on a panel protected only by plexi, the inkjet overlay beneath will be destroyed.

RandyT

[falkensmaze]

Great feedback guys thanks, what do think of this stuff? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clear-Sticky-Backed-Vinyl-Like-Fablon-3-METRES_W0QQitemZ290043979326QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20594QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
 

[CheffoJeffo]

My view may be unpopular, but I personally have no affinity for the "plastic sofa cover" look that the plexi overlays can sometimes give a panel.

100% In Agreement. 

Cheers

[Aurich]

My view may be unpopular, but I personally have no affinity for the "plastic sofa cover" look that the plexi overlays can sometimes give a panel

You can add me to the unpopular camp.

Then again I don't like big franken panels either, I tend much more towards an authentic aesthetic. I'd rather the cabinet look like game rather than a tool if that makes sense.

[Xam]

I'm not using plexi on mine. I do not mind the look of it, I just did not feel it would be necessary.
I plan on using one of the many available overlays. My cab is going to be pretty plain anyway, so I figured I would keep the CP in sync with the rest of the cab.

It is basically a matter of preference in my opinion. Neither right, neither wrong.

Xam

[Banacek]

I went with plexi, but my daughter loves to make a mess, so I like the protection.

[releasedtruth]

At my local arcades, 85% are plexi'd, very few that aren't. It's hard to find anyplace that even has non gun/racing games only. I used plexi, my friends can't be trusted.

GT

[siropa]

none of the games I grew up playing ever had plexi and none of the cabs i've built have had it or will ever have it. its just doesn't look or feel right to me.

[Xiaou2]

 All the games in a Namco owned arcade that I was running had plexi installed
on them.   It helped greatly in keeping the CPs clean and protected. 
Dust washers on the outside, added more protection.
Drinks spilled often just ran off the sides, not causing major problems.

 The CPs that didnt have Plexi often had artwork overlays that
lifted in areas..  cracked in others,  warped and pieces broken off.
(mostly the overhang of the edges..  but not limited to it)
  This created sharp edges,  which were VERY uncomfortable.

 They were also a nightmare to clean.  As the oils and filth from hands
were ground in deeply.   Some stains wouldnt come out. 


 Plexi scratches much less than Lexan.    It however, is more brittle,
and can crack easier,  usually when trying to cut the holes in it.
Rarely breaks when properly secured to the panel however.

 Overlays arnt perfect.  They dont bend well over the overhangs.
Glue that holds them down often fails over time.  The overlay material
also seems to becomes more brittle over time.   
 
 You get used to the feel.  Plastic is everywhere..  even on your
keyboard    

 A solution to some overlay issues may be to spray many layers of
automotive(?) clear-coat over them... to keep them protected,
and less lible to lift. However, Ive not heard of anyone doing this.

 I agree that the look may be sacraficed when using plexi.. mostly
due to reflections affecting the way you clearly see the art and
colors.   However, its very acceptable to most for the added protection,
lower maintenence, and longer lastability.

 Another interesting idea may be to use something like
leather as a topper.  May be much more comfortable  
Tho Ive also not seen this done.   Of course, art
would be limited at best for such an option.






 

[falkensmaze]

  HELP

[falkensmaze]

Bottom line is i dont realy want plexi seems to not look as authentic and its more work and cash (unless my m8 gets it for free).BUT!! I have 2 kids my g/friend has 2 kids and they will play this cab alot so i recon after hearing your shouts i will go plexi to preserve the CP better. Another thing how do i fix down the plexi?

[mccoy178]

You can secure the plexi by both the buttons themselves and using small screws around the edge.  Predrilling is necessary for those tiny buggers.

I used an overlay from Scott and Mamemarquees and mounted it on metal.  I am very happy with the look, feel, and durability.  I think that even if I played it for hours everyday, I couldn't replicate the kind of abuse the machines see in the general public.

[NoOne=NBA=]

A solution to some overlay issues may be to spray many layers of
automotive(?) clear-coat over them... to keep them protected,
and less lible to lift. However, Ive not heard of anyone doing this.

Make sure you test this before trying it.

All the Lexan I've ever worked with has a coating on it that will not allow paint to stick to it.
It goes on looking great, and then cracks as it dries.

And I'm in the overlay only camp.
The overlay IS Lexan, and is adhered directly to the CP.
The company I work for silkscreens .010 overlays for industrial machinery, without any problems.
Where you run into problems with them cracking is when they are bent around too tight a corner.
If they are flat, just like your thicker plex would be, you shouldn't have any problems with them.

[Stingray]

My view may be unpopular, but I personally have no affinity for the "plastic sofa cover" look that the plexi overlays can sometimes give a panel.

I'm also with the anti-plexi crowd.

-S

[falkensmaze]

Ok so theres a big anti plexi crowd out here. so say if I go with justa CP  overlay from MAME MARQUEES with a Polycarbinate laminate, Can i live with that alone, i mean my kids are not going to tear it to pieces on purpose hjow tough is that stuff?

my heads reely hurtin  now

[AlanS17]

If the overlay is properly applied, you would have to make a conscious effort to screw it up. Tha being said, I just feel safer with plexi. You can replace plexi if it gets damaged, but it's much more difficult to replace the overlay after it's been applied.

[leapinlew]

My vote is for no plexi if you can get away with it.

My arcade with the plexi has a good deal of dust specs under it that won't clean up... starting to drive me crazy. (I'm the only one who notices.)

[siropa]

I got my CP from mame marquees and its held up very well for the year and 1/2 i've had it. it gets almost daily use and has shown no wear yet.

[AlanS17]

Well if mine hadn't been covered in plexi, it would have been destroyed. Then again, mine was in a frat house.

[CheffoJeffo]

Can i live with that alone, i mean my kids are not going to tear it to pieces on purpose hjow tough is that stuff?

I have three kids aged 6 and under. Since we host holiday gatherings, I'll often get bunch of kids (big and small) playing the machines.

I have never had an issue with a polycarbonate overlay. I have had a few spilt drinks (not always spilt by kids) and the effect has been worse on the machines with plexi as the liquid gets underneath (as RandyT points out, plexi doesn't seal) In either case, you need to pull and clean the controls.

Cheers.

[patrickl]

... a CP  overlay from MAME MARQUEES with a Polycarbinate laminate ...

Like someone said before, that laminate is actually Lexan (Lexan is a brand name for a polycarbonate product) So it's covered with it already.

[falkensmaze]

OK the no plexi corner wins on points after 25 rounds so i think ill leave out the plexi and go with P.C. overlay, Thanks guys gr8 feedbak