Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: pokekil on December 04, 2010, 11:39:55 pm
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i have my control panel operating. its just that it doesnt look right. right now all i have is black spraypaint on it. its a bit too glossy and builds up finger prints.
what do you guys think i could do? i dont think i could use plexiglass because the edges of the panel are rounded by a router. i don't know anything about paint. mmmm
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Laminate it with some satin black laminate. It's more fingerprint friendly than a glossy finish, and more hard wearing than any painted finish.
There's a great tutorial here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=101315.0) on how to go about it. Looks great.
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my problem is that the edges of the control panel are rounded instead of straight. i dont think id be able to wrap the laminate around these edges right? so i was thinking of some sort of magic painted finish.
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You could use vinyl and wrap it around the control panel edges. This would look exactly like laminate but wouldn't be that durable. There is also some pour on varnish stuff that people use http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104400.msg1138526#msg1138526 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=104400.msg1138526#msg1138526). He used it and it turned out great.
You could even go as far as pouring that stuff over your finished panel after you vinyl it.
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Vinyl work work or go all out and get a control panel overlay. Happs and Betson sell them. I like the plane black one from Betson. They aren't cheap, but looks great and are easy to trim around corners.
Just note that they come in two sizes. Both are OK, but the bigger one doesn't have the same level of texture and doesn't seem quite as nice.
Don't forget you could get a custom printed overlay
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my problem is that the edges of the control panel are rounded instead of straight. i dont think id be able to wrap the laminate around these edges right? so i was thinking of some sort of magic painted finish.
As Kop mentioned the tutorial shows an example with a CP that has rounded edges and even angled cuts. The bottom line is if you have a router and a flush trim bit it doesn't really matter, angles or straight edge its all the same. The router is the single most versatile tool you can use.
So read through the tutorial (in my signature as well) or check out my Aliens cab link in signature as well. Good luck!