attatching plexi overlay - questions.

[michelevit]

I am building a full size arcade cabinet and am wondering some ways to attach the
Plexiglas overlay on top of my control panel. In previous builds I have used 3m
sprayable contact adhesive. I would scuff up the bottom of the Plexiglas and then
spray the contact adhesive to the bottom of the Plexiglas. I am out of 3m spray, but
have plenty of wood glue. (titebond 1 or 2) Once it is attached, I would use a flush
cutting router to trim the Plexiglas overlay flush and also drill out the joystick and trackball holes.

Do you think I could use wood glue instead of contact adhesive?

I’d like to avoid the overspray of the contact adhesive. I painted my control box
in a piano finish and already buffed and waxed it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. This is my 6th cabinet build and I generally
keep them for several months before selling them off to friends and family.

This is a great forum and I have learned a great deal from lurking and reading the archives.

[mountain]

I am assuming that you are using a solid color, therefore you will not see the glue? I personally would use contact cement for something like that. Scuffing up the Plexiglas will help. Wood glue will not bond to the Plexiglas at all.

[Kajoq]

What kind of buttons are you planning on using?

I didn't even adhere my plexi overlay to the MDF top one my CP.  I've got a few carriage bolts around the edge, and a couple of HAPP buttons for the start buttons which have the screw on style.  The combination of this means the plexi never even thinks about separating.

If you have all screw-in style buttons it would be an even better hold.

[milhouse]

What kind of buttons are you planning on using?

Thats good news.  I am using about 25 screw on happs buttons.  I assumed that would work but I couldn't recall seeing anyone who had only relied on that.

Thanks

[Kajoq]

Yeah, It might be worth trying to get a few bolts in it as well around the edges, But the screw on buttons will clamp it on there pretty tight

[Daniel B.]

Yeah, It might be worth trying to get a few bolts in it as well around the edges, But the screw on buttons will clamp it on there pretty tight

This is exactly how I've been planning to do it as well.

[specksynder]

I am using about 25 screw on happs buttons

Wowzers.  Almost a full keyboard.

[somunny]

The plexi on this cp (built by me) is held down solely by the buttons.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51773.0

[michelevit]

the plexiglass i picked up is not clear. its black and tectured.

I am using a 2 player streetfigher button layout with a 3 inch trackball in
the center.  the joystick box is 40 inches wide and 17 inches tall.

I'd like to glue the plexiglass down because it is thin 1/16 thick
and i dont want it to lift up. around the edges.

does anyone know if i can glue it down with wood glue tightbond 2?

i guess i'll head to tap plastic and pick up a scrap piece and try it on that.

The plexi on this cp (built by me) is held down solely by the buttons.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51773.0

[Kajoq]

If you're really set on gluing it down, I would recommend getting an adhesive that is more suited for the materials.  Wood glue is really only very good on glue.

I think even standard CA Superglue would be better than wood glue for this application.  But something like a gorilla glue, or some sort of epoxy would likely be an even better option.

Or if you know that 3m adhesive works well for you, just pick up another bottle of it.  I just don't see the plexi adhering very well with wood glue

[somunny]

the plexiglass i picked up is not clear. its black and tectured.

I am using a 2 player streetfigher button layout with a 3 inch trackball in
the center.  the joystick box is 40 inches wide and 17 inches tall.

I'd like to glue the plexiglass down because it is thin 1/16 thick
and i dont want it to lift up. around the edges.

does anyone know if i can glue it down with wood glue tightbond 2?

i guess i'll head to tap plastic and pick up a scrap piece and try it on that.

The plexi on this cp (built by me) is held down solely by the buttons.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51773.0

In that case, I would go with contact cement.  Strong stuff.

[severdhed]

i rely simply on the buttons to hold down the plexi on the control panels that I have built, and it works just fine.  unless you get people who are intentionally trying to pull up on the plexi, you shouldn't need any adhesive at all.

[TOK]

The buttons hold mine down. I also slightly offset the t-molding so that the top edge of it is flush with the overlay. This prevents anything from snagging a corner and lifting it up and also makes it look very finished.

[mountain]

I originally tried to used 1/16" plexi on my control panel but it was not rigid enough. The edges were loose and would warp and move up and down if you pushed on them. I switched it out with 1/8" plexi and it works great.

[milhouse]

I am using about 25 screw on happs buttons

Wowzers.  Almost a full keyboard.

it sounds worse than it looks, as its a 4-player cp.

[michelevit]

i went ahead and stopped by tapp plastics and picked up some
remnants of the same textured material i am planing on using for my overlay.
it is really thin so using just the buttons to hold it down it not an option.

the bottom of the overlay material is glossy smooth, so I went ahead
and hit it with 300 grit sand paper. Once it warms I'll smear some titebond II
wood glue and lay it over some sanded plywood.

I have used contact cement (brush on and sprayable) in the past
but am looking for something neater to apply. I am pretty good
with gluing up woodworking projects so I think I might make
less of a mess with that option. 

Thanks for all the advice and I'll share my results with the forum
in a couple of days.