Advice about vinyl

[Grey]

Long time reader, first time poster.

I have acquired a generic cab that I am restoring and converting to a M.A.M.E. cab.  It was originally a Forgotten Worlds and was later converted to U.N. Squadron.  The U.N. Squadron pcb is supposedly still functional so I've pulled it and will be storing it and the bezel/marquee for later use/sell/trade.

There is significant damage to the vinyl around both sides of the control panel (see pic).  Any suggestions/advice on how to repair the damage?

I am the anti-handy, but I think I can manage to not botch the vinyl on the outer walls too bad, but the inner walls concern me with their irregular shapes and thin strips.  Any help would be appreciated.

[garnerb350]

I would start fresh...get a hair dryer and a screw driver/ putty knife and peel ALL the vinyl off....then repaint ( perfer to repaint) or re-vinyl...is everything glued in ( sides) or can you take it apart?

[Grey]

There are 1x1s glued to the sides at various points, to which the front and back panels are screwed. 

[garnerb350]

Hey nothing to be embarressed about...thats the way the cab came...

I would look and see about taking a weekend and unscrew everything ( make sure you keep track of what goes where) and strip that vinyl ...also if you decide to re-vinyl, you can cover everything and bring it back to it massive glory...lay it down, stick it smooth and cut off the excess...order some t-molding and cover the edges and BAM-you couldnt tell the difference...

[bkenobi]

Careful!  The screws you see are probably there to hold the parts of the cab together while the wood glue dried at the factory.  I would be surprised if you could just unscrew it and take the sides off.  It's possible that they just screwed it in, but I would say unlikely.  Now, on the other hand, if the cab is wobbly, then taking it apart might not be a bad idea just to give you the opportunity to fix it.

Anyway, another vote for tearing the vinyl off and repainting it.  Just make sure you get that adhesive off the best you can and then prime.  If you skip the primer then you will see the difference between where bare wood and primer were on the sides.

[Grey]

The cab is very sturdy.  That and the good condition coin mech where my primary reasons for buying it.

Thanks to you both for your input.  I've put off working on the cab for three years due to intimidation over the vinyl issues (real life might have interfered a little, too).  Bah.  I'll start reading up on painting.

[bkenobi]

Also, the control panel can come off completely to make the repairs easier.  You can either reach up from the coin door (or perhaps from the back access door) and unclip the CP clamps.  If it doesn't have CP clamps, you might need to unscrew/unbolt the CP.  Either way, it DEFINITELY will come off fairly easily.  That's why operators were able to do conversions so quickly!

[garnerb350]

Obi-Wan has far better knowledge ( hence the name) than i do...(I totally forgot about glued strips)

That generic cab is perfect for someone to get "their hands dirty" when starting out with MAME cabs...I wish I was able to do that...I had to build my cab from stratch...

Just be careful if u  take it apart...you dont want to rip that MDF or pressboard ( is that what it is made of?)...if something doesnt want to come out easily...

Dont be intimidated...I was the same way when i started ( i have 5% carpentry skills)...Kinda like riding a bike...Now I cant wait to find a junk cab and do the same...

Keep in touch with all your progress...There are lot of people here who are really nice and will take the time to help you ( they were for me)...But be prepared to be "broken in" Good luck!