Novice with jukebox questions

[_Si_]

Hi all,

been loitering around these boards since I started my arcade cab a few years ago, but not sure if I've posted before. Either way, hallo.

I'm working on a small jukebox build (about 2' high), mostly to test the water to see if I can get the level of finish I'd want for a full size one. Things are mostly in hand but I've got a couple of queries.

Firstly I'd very much like to replicate the traditional "one more time" style fascia. So curved, semi translucent panels around the edges. Any suggestions on what to make these from? My main concern is the top, arched one. Been wracking my brain to come up with something suitable but getting nowhere. I still haven't started construction of the frame, so now is the time to find something and I can use it to dictate the width.

Secondly what sort of lighting would people normally use behind them? I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible, so I was considering cold cathode pc modding kits, but my understanding is by definition those things don't bend. That'd work great for the two side uprights, but wouldn't help with the arch across the top. Alternatively there's the neon stuff people put under their cars and around the insides of computers, but no idea how much light that kicks out. I'm just trying to stay away from having thousands of LEDS requiring control boards or some nifty soldering skills.

I'm still writing the software to go on the system. Basically I'm a flash/php programmer by trade, so I thought it'd be daft not to at least have a go at sorting my own kit. If it's any good I'll distribute it open source of course . My touch screen will hopefully arrive today (go t'bay). Speaker wise I'm going to have a small pc 2.1 system built in, but then use audio jacks on the back to give the alternative of hooking it up to my home theatre system. Just makes the whole thing portable, helpful if I decide to relocate it to the office.

Oh one last little question, is there paint out there which can suitable replicate a chromed finish? Not something I know much about really, but would help the plans a lot.

Cheers for your help,
Si

[Barry Barcrest]

The paint you are after is called Killa Chrome by ALSA I think. I was goind to use it but they want to chagre me $200 - $250 shipping to the U.K.

[_Si_]

Hmm, interesting. Will definitely have a proper look (http://www.chromepaintfx.com distribute this in the UK for much more reasonable prices) since I think it would add some real quality to the finish. Cheers.