Contact paper on MDF good or bad, hard or unsightly?

[hobsonschoice]

HI all,
I am half way through my MDf jukebox construction and am looking for a nice finish to cover the front of it.
I have never used Contact paper before and am wondering, is it really hard to get on without screwing it up and does it have a durable finish? Can i varnish it or something for extra strength?

I am in Ireland and finding anywhere that supplies conatct paper is hard not to mention Laminate sheeting!

What about thin Linoleum, anyone ever thought of trying that?
cheers

[BobA]

Contact paper on your juke could get you an ugly award.   That is just my personal opinion.   You can get vinyl coverings that are better but laminate is the way to go.   A really good paint job is also very nice.

[Fordman]

Linoleum?  I dont think so.

Contact Paper?  Some will dispute this, but this was the option many used years ago. If you go with contact paper, make sure it has a design other than the marble - granite look. I have seen decent contact paper.

A decent paint job will probably be the best and most economical. $15.00 (US) for a gallon of paint.

Laminate? Too pricey! If you were in a commercial enviroment (bar) then I would suggest the laminate.

Prime, paint-sand-paint-sand-paint - lightly sand! 

Looks great in the end and didnt cost that much!

Fordman

[Barry Barcrest]

Contact paper? I used the self adhesive stuff that came in a brushed metal look. It would have looked awsome if it hadn't have bubbled up. I have tried it twice and it just doesn't seem to want to not bubble up. I think paint is probably the way to go however it does take a while due to the sand/paint/sand/paint method.

[hobsonschoice]

Hmm,
not i am unsure. I did paint my mame cab but was unhappy with the paint job, Mostly visible brush strokes. I have since read that rollers are a worth while option.
The unit is only 44cm wide by about 80 high with a big screen size slot etc, so i was thinking it shouldn't be too hard to avoid the bubbles. i ordered a sheet of red, midnight blue, black and a Rattan pattern which i have since gone off.

Well if i paint i could defo get the job done quicker than waiting a couple of weeks for contact paper to arrive.

[richms]

If you seal it first and then do the soapy water trick like applying signs it should stop the bubbling.

[Barry Barcrest]

If you seal it first and then do the soapy water trick like applying signs it should stop the bubbling.

I used self adhesive stuff so you can't do the soapy water thing with that. I think i will just cut perspex and use that next time. If it is sprayed from the back you get a nice look and it's quite cheap.

[orion]

All of these products should work well. I would be surprised if they don't ship to Ireland.


http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=135&CFID=11207329&CFTOKEN=15608702

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=828&CFID=11207329&CFTOKEN=15608702


http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=832&CFID=11207329&CFTOKEN=15608702

[Barry Barcrest]

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=135&CFID=11207329&CFTOKEN=15608702

That is like what i have used and it bubbles up.

[Fordman]

I just noticed at Lowes the other day that they have full sheets of 'Melamine' (Melamine is combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic used in Formica, and melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product. The end products include countertops, dry erase boards, fabrics, glues, housewares and flame retardants. Melamine is one of the major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics) board for $31.00 (US) per 4' X 8' sheet. This will be on my next project as it has a surface that is very durable, yet paintable!

Fordman

[orion]

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=135&CFID=11207329&CFTOKEN=15608702

That is like what i have used and it bubbles up.

Yikes! That's what I am planning on using here soon. How did you apply it if you mind me asking? Generally when I apply vinyl products I hit it with a J roller  and also will hit it with a wet rag and a hot iron to steam it smooth and to melt the glue to help it adhere better. I haven't tried this particular product though, how long after you applied it did it start bubbling on you?

[hobsonschoice]

ah ha, well the stuff i have on order is vynl contact paper,
I think it will have a sticky back so can't see how i can use soapy water on it?

i ahve bookmarked the above links to the vynl laminate but half the problem in finding in Ireland is knowing exactly what they call it over here.
I searched contact paper, shelf liner, formica sheet, adhesive wood cover etc, but never searched for vynl laminate.

Am going to have a look at this melamine product now, we have a large B@Q here, does anyone know if they do anything suitable?
Cheers

[hobsonschoice]

what about something like this?

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10176619&fh_view_size=10&fh_start_index=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=formica+sheet&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1245323767796&isSearch=true

[hobsonschoice]

Actually,
the way to go should defo have been pianting the inside of  plexiglass, don't know why i didn;t think of that as i did it with my Mame cab. That would have looked awesome, Too late now as i have slot cut the edges ready for t-molding and the plexiglass would stick out now.
Oh well, gives me an excuse to build a second one soon!

[Barry Barcrest]

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=135&CFID=11207329&CFTOKEN=15608702

That is like what i have used and it bubbles up.

Yikes! That's what I am planning on using here soon. How did you apply it if you mind me asking? Generally when I apply vinyl products I hit it with a J roller  and also will hit it with a wet rag and a hot iron to steam it smooth and to melt the glue to help it adhere better. I haven't tried this particular product though, how long after you applied it did it start bubbling on you?

Within a day or so, to be honest it might have been me.

[hobsonschoice]

well after reading around i hear the way to do it is to leave the glass proud above the facia. So that T-molding covers facia but not plexiglass. Luckily i still had plexiglass from my cab build na dhave now gone ahead and cut and painted the plexiglass and it looks gorgeous!!, Now what i need now is to secure the glass with 4 corner bolts through the glass and back fasia, need to get hokld of some of those screw cap cover things that you see on bathroom mirrors etc.
Must get some photos up soon.

[hobsonschoice]

By the way,
anyone else thinking of using vinyl contact paper, take my advice and stay clear.
It looks tacky. got mine yesterday and tried it out on a small extremely flat piece of glass and it still looked bumpy and bubbly, Also not really that sticky. I could unpeel and restick it easily and still it would bubble and bump. dropped that idea and may use it for some pantry shelves!

[orion]

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=135&CFID=11207329&CFTOKEN=15608702

That is like what i have used and it bubbles up.

Yikes! That's what I am planning on using here soon. How did you apply it if you mind me asking? Generally when I apply vinyl products I hit it with a J roller  and also will hit it with a wet rag and a hot iron to steam it smooth and to melt the glue to help it adhere better. I haven't tried this particular product though, how long after you applied it did it start bubbling on you?

Within a day or so, to be honest it might have been me.

By the way,
anyone else thinking of using vinyl contact paper, take my advice and stay clear.
It looks tacky. got mine yesterday and tried it out on a small extremely flat piece of glass and it still looked bumpy and bubbly, Also not really that sticky. I could unpeel and restick it easily and still it would bubble and bump. dropped that idea and may use it for some pantry shelves!

Thanks for the info guys, I am still going to try it only because I need something that I can wrap around the rounded over inside corners on my monitor bezel. I also need something that I can cut perfectly straight without a router and a flush cutting bit because my speaker cutouts are only going to be recessed 1/16th inch deep or less. I would prefer to go with the melamine, but I am not sure I will be able to get it to work for me. I guess I will have to think of a plan B in case this doesn't work out.

[Barry Barcrest]

By the way,
anyone else thinking of using vinyl contact paper, take my advice and stay clear.
It looks tacky. got mine yesterday and tried it out on a small extremely flat piece of glass and it still looked bumpy and bubbly, Also not really that sticky. I could unpeel and restick it easily and still it would bubble and bump. dropped that idea and may use it for some pantry shelves!

Guess it wasn't just me then. There must be some sort of skill to applying this stuff because it must work. Unless it only works correctly on smooth laminate surfaces like kitchen cupboards.

[orion]

By the way,
anyone else thinking of using vinyl contact paper, take my advice and stay clear.
It looks tacky. got mine yesterday and tried it out on a small extremely flat piece of glass and it still looked bumpy and bubbly, Also not really that sticky. I could unpeel and restick it easily and still it would bubble and bump. dropped that idea and may use it for some pantry shelves!

Guess it wasn't just me then. There must be some sort of skill to applying this stuff because it must work. Unless it only works correctly on smooth laminate surfaces like kitchen cupboards.

Did you guys by any chance apply a coat of paint on the surface before applying the vinyl by any chance? It still shouldn't bubble up so bad, it could have also been a bad lot of the stuff. As you say lots of people are reporting using it successfully.

[Barry Barcrest]

By the way,
anyone else thinking of using vinyl contact paper, take my advice and stay clear.
It looks tacky. got mine yesterday and tried it out on a small extremely flat piece of glass and it still looked bumpy and bubbly, Also not really that sticky. I could unpeel and restick it easily and still it would bubble and bump. dropped that idea and may use it for some pantry shelves!

Guess it wasn't just me then. There must be some sort of skill to applying this stuff because it must work. Unless it only works correctly on smooth laminate surfaces like kitchen cupboards.

Did you guys by any chance apply a coat of paint on the surface before applying the vinyl by any chance? It still shouldn't bubble up so bad, it could have also been a bad lot of the stuff. As you say lots of people are reporting using it successfully.

The first time it was primered. The second time it was just untouched MDF. This was done about a year apart with 2 seperate sheets of self adhesive vinyl.. Like i said i could be doing something wrong.

[orion]

By the way,
anyone else thinking of using vinyl contact paper, take my advice and stay clear.
It looks tacky. got mine yesterday and tried it out on a small extremely flat piece of glass and it still looked bumpy and bubbly, Also not really that sticky. I could unpeel and restick it easily and still it would bubble and bump. dropped that idea and may use it for some pantry shelves!

Guess it wasn't just me then. There must be some sort of skill to applying this stuff because it must work. Unless it only works correctly on smooth laminate surfaces like kitchen cupboards.

Did you guys by any chance apply a coat of paint on the surface before applying the vinyl by any chance? It still shouldn't bubble up so bad, it could have also been a bad lot of the stuff. As you say lots of people are reporting using it successfully.

The first time it was primered. The second time it was just untouched MDF. This was done about a year apart with 2 seperate sheets of self adhesive vinyl.. Like i said i could be doing something wrong.

Thanks for the reply, Barry, I really do apreciate it. I seriously doubt you did anything wrong in applying it, I found this review on the parts express website....

"while i'm not crazy about vinyl coverings, i have used a few over the years on different projects and this is by far the best i have used. good adhesive (get it right the first time or you will stretch it as you remove it and get bubbles), easy to apply, even has rough woodgrain texture. looks very good!"

It sounds to me like there is some variation in quality between manufactures. I ordered some today, because like I said, melamine probably won't work for me. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it works as advertised. When I get around to trying it out, I will let you all know rather or not the stuff parts express is selling is any good.

[hobsonschoice]

Yep,
I applied mine straight onto sanded MDF. Bubbles and tiny bumps still. Also becaus i could unpeel it easily there was plenty of ttempts to get it flat. maybe a bad lot.

[richms]

Is it the MDF outgassing things that make the bubbles or what? because I would have thought that it would be pretty good even on straight MDF...

[orion]

Well the parts express vinyl came in yesterday. I am going to apply some to a scrap piece of MDF and leave it on for about a week to see if I get any bubbling before I apply it for real. I'll let you guys know in about a week as to how its holding up.

[orion]

OK, well I just installed the parts express vinyl wrap (specifically http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=261-610) on a scrap piece of MDF approximately 4in X24 in. My initial reaction to this product is simply.... WOW!!! It doesn't look good on the roll, and it doesn't even look all that good when you unroll it, but once you apply it, it looks like real wood. It has a raised wood grain texture to it that looks really nice. It doesn't strike me as being as durable as laminate or melamine, but I don't expect it to be. I must say that It applied easier than any side art I have applied on my arcade machines, and it went on much easier than any CPO I have ever installed.  There weren't any bubbles in the application and it appears to have good adhesion. I am noticing that it doesn't adhere as well on the rough sawed surfaces however, so prep work is a must with this product. This is also one of the reasons I am going to apply a light coat of spray paint before I apply it. This should help make the surface as smooth as possible and it should also seal the MDF to make it more resistant to moisture. I applied it by removing a small amount of backing and working the vinyl with a hard plastic squeegee that I got from the auto parts store that's used to apply window tint (I have also used old credit cards to apply vinyl in the past as well) I just wrap the end of it with a paper towel, so as not to scratch the surface of it. Using this method, it went on without any problems. The real test is going to be how it holds up, so as I stated earlier, I will get back to you all in about a week. So far however It's looking good, and I think I am going to be rather pleased with it in the end.

[orion]

Well this stuff seems to be holding up after 5 days, so I went ahead and installed it on my jukebox. It went on fairly easily and looks good on it. The parts express stuff seems to be a good product to use. I am not sure what everyone else was trying, or if they just had a bad lot of the stuff, but my experience with it is good. Hope this helps anyone considering it.

[hobsonschoice]

Hi Orion, Thats good news, Can't wait to see your pics,
With the contact paper you got, was it all wood textured or did you get a basic colured roll as well? I did actually get a Rattan textured wood roll as well and admit that would probably have been ok as the raised texture made it somewhat thicker, My problems were with basic, Black, Red smooth paper.

[Barry Barcrest]

Hi Orion, Thats good news, Can't wait to see your pics,
With the contact paper you got, was it all wood textured or did you get a basic colured roll as well? I did actually get a Rattan textured wood roll as well and admit that would probably have been ok as the raised texture made it somewhat thicker, My problems were with basic, Black, Red smooth paper.

I agree with you i think the texture is what probably prevented this from bubbling.

[orion]

Hi Orion, Thats good news, Can't wait to see your pics,
With the contact paper you got, was it all wood textured or did you get a basic colured roll as well? I did actually get a Rattan textured wood roll as well and admit that would probably have been ok as the raised texture made it somewhat thicker, My problems were with basic, Black, Red smooth paper.

I got the textured stuff, with a wood grain finish to it. However the stuff is still fairly thin, although not as thin as some side art I have applied in the past. I did get a few minor bubbles when applying it as its hard to wrap it around 90 degree angles with out getting any. What I did though was to p r i c k (OK the site thought I was using a bad word) the bubbles with a pen and then roll them out. I was able to work out the majority of them this way, over all it worked great! I'll try posting some pics of my progress sometime next week.