Budget control panel covering?

[bluevolume]

My project has gone way over budget (just like everyone else's), and I'm trying to find ways to cut some costs going forward.  I need some type of covering for my control panel (which is probably going to be 3/4" MDF).  I looked at mamemarquees, and while their stuff looks great I really don't want to spend $50 on this one part.

What else have people done here?  I thought about using plexi, but I'm certain that with that many holes to drill I'd end up cracking it.  Some type of laminate that was just a solid dark blue would be OK for now.  I also thought about painting the MDF, then applying a few coats of thick Minwax.

[lordtodd75]

You can use plexi, but dont use a drill, use a router. I used regular plexi, not lexan and mine overlay came out great. You would have to paint underneath as I am sure a plexi overlay on top of non finished wood/mdf would look kind of silly.

[unclet]

An economical solution would be to simply use some black vinyl sticky overlay material.  I believe people have indicated that PartsExpress sell this stuff.   I believe you simply pull off the backing and then lay it on the control panel.

I bought my vinyl covering for my driving cabinet many moons ago from Happs ...... I got a great deal on the Black Pica Vinyl since it was on sale for something like 60% off.

Anyway, I believe enough people of these boards have used PartsExpress vinyl so you might want to seek them out and ask how the vinyl is holding up.   Not sure you would even need to get plexiglass at all.    Also, plexi can be expensive as well ..... depending on the size of your control panel.

BTW:  For my standup cabinet I used plexiglass as a covering a used a a drill for the holes (ie: not router) and had no problems at all.  The key to drilling in to plexi is to let the spinning drill bit spin enough to melt the plexi as it sinks into the plexi (with minor pressure applied).   Typically, using a drill on wood, the person applies a lot of pressure to simply get the hole bored out, but with plexi minor pressure is key and just let the drill melt itself through.  No problem at all.   oh yeah, I used a jigsaw to round the coners of the plexi to match the rounded corners of my control panel.

[bluevolume]

...oh yeah, I used a jigsaw to round the coners of the plexi to match the rounded corners of my control panel.

The last time I tried to use a jig saw on plexiglass I literally had pieces of broken glass flying everywhere.  I had a bit specifically for cutting plexi as well.

[CheffoJeffo]

An economical solution would be to simply use some black vinyl sticky overlay material.  I believe people have indicated that PartsExpress sell this stuff.   I believe you simply pull off the backing and then lay it on the control panel.

I bought my vinyl covering for my driving cabinet many moons ago from Happs ...... I got a great deal on the Black Pica Vinyl since it was on sale for something like 60% off.

Anyway, I believe enough people of these boards have used PartsExpress vinyl so you might want to seek them out and ask how the vinyl is holding up.   Not sure you would even need to get plexiglass at all.    Also, plexi can be expensive as well ..... depending on the size of your control panel.

I would second the vinyl suggestion.

I use the Happ Pica all the time ... although I have now run out of the batch I picked up during the last big sale at the local distributor.

Mostly I have used it on generic metal panels on generic cabs, but I have used it on wood with good results (on my very first cab and it still looks like new).

And, when you are ready for something else, just apply a little heat and it comes off fairly nicely.

[patrickl]

I Printed the CPO on my own printer and covered it with the clear plastic used for covering books.

[javeryh]

I also think black vinyl is a cheap and easy way to go - because that's what I did on my last cabinet!   

[bluevolume]

I also think black vinyl is a cheap and easy way to go - because that's what I did on my last cabinet!   

That is a good solution, but I really need to try and find something that is dark blue.  Black just isn't going to work unless I change the color of all of my buttons/joys.

[javeryh]

I also think black vinyl is a cheap and easy way to go - because that's what I did on my last cabinet!   

That is a good solution, but I really need to try and find something that is dark blue.  Black just isn't going to work unless I change the color of all of my buttons/joys.

Try Kinko's - they print stuff on the cheap.  I'd be surprised if you couldn't get them to print something nice on adhesive backed vinyl.

Or, you could always just go with black and then use one of these:


 

[bluevolume]

I also think black vinyl is a cheap and easy way to go - because that's what I did on my last cabinet!   

That is a good solution, but I really need to try and find something that is dark blue.  Black just isn't going to work unless I change the color of all of my buttons/joys.

Try Kinko's - they print stuff on the cheap.  I'd be surprised if you couldn't get them to print something nice on adhesive backed vinyl.

Or, you could always just go with black and then use one of these:


 

Blue on black,
tears on a river;
push on a shove,
it don't mean much.

[shardian]

I also think black vinyl is a cheap and easy way to go - because that's what I did on my last cabinet!   

That is a good solution, but I really need to try and find something that is dark blue.  Black just isn't going to work unless I change the color of all of my buttons/joys.

You aren't the only one wishing parts express had a nice blue vinyl

[BobA]

You can get blue vinyl at shops that supply seat covering or even some fabric shops carry a bit of vinyl.  I don't know how it compares to the parts express vinyl but seat covering vinyls are tough.
 

[shardian]

You can get blue vinyl at shops that supply seat covering or even some fabric shops carry a bit of vinyl.  I don't know how it compares to the parts express vinyl but seat covering vinyls are tough.
 

Parts express is a vinyl laminate. It is different than fabric vinyl that is used for seat covers and such.

[FrizzleFried]

I used to use plexiglass but since have moved on to Lexan.  Lexan is MUCH better for control panels...it is so much less brittle and doesn't crack nearly as easily as plexi.  You can even use a wood boring bit on it without the fear of death...try that with plexi.

Just paint the underside and you are good as gold.

Here are a couple examples:

[shardian]

Dude, is that marble contact paper on the top of your spinner??

[bluevolume]

Frizzle -- once again you come through with a great idea.  Can you give me some more detail on how you finished the Lexan without it cracking?  Did you use a spade bit to bore out the button holes?  How did you cut the edges to match the underlayment?

Thanks!

[ahofle]

How did you cut the edges to match the underlayment?

Can't speak for Frizzle, but the best way to cut the sides is with a router and a flush trim bit, using the CP as a guide.  So easy and looks great.

[bluevolume]

How did you cut the edges to match the underlayment?

Can't speak for Frizzle, but the best way to cut the sides is with a router and a flush trim bit, using the CP as a guide.  So easy and looks great.

A cutter bit that has a bearing on the end?  I may be able to figure that out.

[FrizzleFried]

Dude, is that marble contact paper on the top of your spinner??

I've been caught!   I did that as a joke some months back and it's stayed!


Hahahaha!

[FrizzleFried]

Frizzle -- once again you come through with a great idea.  Can you give me some more detail on how you finished the Lexan without it cracking?  Did you use a spade bit to bore out the button holes?  How did you cut the edges to match the underlayment?

Thanks!

You will find that Lexan is AMAZINE compared to plexi.  It's flexes without breaking.  I still used a hole saw for the button holes but I have used a wood boring bit (spade bit?).    You can drill it without it cracking.  You can even jigsaw it without cracking.  I still use a plexi cutter to "score" it and then break it for large cuts,  but I have used a dremel for smaller cuts.

I used a router with my yellow cpo to bevel the edges without issue. 

[severdhed]

I used plexi on my panel, drilled small pilot holes with a regular drill bit, and then used a dremel to make the holes the right size.  then i spraypainted the back side of the plexi...it came out looking very nice.    i did learn the hard way that you cant drill plexi with a spade bit...next time i will probably go with lexan, even though it is a bit more money.

[bluevolume]

I went to HD and checked out the plexi and lexan, I'm trashing that idea.  There's little chance that I'd be able to drill that many holes in plexi and not crack it, and the lexan is $50 a sheet for the size I would need.  I could get an overlay from Mamemarquees for that price, so that's out.

My control panel is going to be made from MDF, why couldn't I just prime and paint the wood, then spray clear acrylic over the whole thing?  A couple layers of that stuff and it should be pretty durable.

[Senator]

I second the router idea for cutting plexi.  I never worked with this stuff ever, I read a few tips on this board and it worked fine.

Clamp the plexi over your drilled out CP.  Use a standard drill bit in reverse to drill guide holes in each of your button holes.  Go light on the pressure so you dont crack it, but I never came close.  After a few holes you get a feel for it.

Then use the router with a carbide tipped flush trim bit.  Obviously, your guide holes need to be big enough so the router bit fits thru.  Cuts like butter, messy butter, but it cuts real nice.  I was surprised how easy it was and how nice the cuts turned out, like factory edges.  Used the same flush trim bit around the outside of the CP. 

Used the same technique to cut the plexi for my marquee.  Best way to cut plexi IMO.

[FrizzleFried]

Cutting plexi,  while more difficult than Lexan,  isn't THAT hard...just take it slow and constant.  DO NOT STOP the bit while drilling.  For holes I run a hole-saw backward.  For small holes just go up in bit size from smaller to larger one bit at a time.  For straight cutting get a PLEXI-CUTTER and score/snap it.

[FrizzleFried]

I second the router idea for cutting plexi.  I never worked with this stuff ever, I read a few tips on this board and it worked fine.

Clamp the plexi over your drilled out CP.  Use a standard drill bit in reverse to drill guide holes in each of your button holes.  Go light on the pressure so you dont crack it, but I never came close.  After a few holes you get a feel for it.

Then use the router with a carbide tipped flush trim bit.  Obviously, your guide holes need to be big enough so the router bit fits thru.  Cuts like butter, messy butter, but it cuts real nice.  I was surprised how easy it was and how nice the cuts turned out, like factory edges.  Used the same flush trim bit around the outside of the CP. 

Used the same technique to cut the plexi for my marquee.  Best way to cut plexi IMO.

I'm gunna have to get me one of these flush-trim bits.

[pod]

I went to home depot and got a piece of scrap countertop laminate for mine. I wanted black, which is pretty easy to find. I found a nice cracked piece that I got for next to nothing because it was unusable for a counter, but the crack still left a chunk big enough for the cp and other bits I needed to laminate. I wonder if kitchen places throw this stuff out after making counters? Other colors would be harder to find without your cp looking like, well, a countertop. Very durable though and looks great.