Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: pbj on June 17, 2019, 10:30:01 am

Title: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: pbj on June 17, 2019, 10:30:01 am
What are you guys using for generic control panel overlays?  I took a look at Ebay and people are charging ~$35 for solid colors which seems ridiculous.  Surely there's some type of cheap adhesive vinyl or something out there.... I need to cover about 15" x 6".

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: JDFan on June 17, 2019, 11:48:03 am
Adhesive backed vinyl like that used for car wraps -- $6 shipped for a 12"x 60" roll includes a squeegee and Utility knife ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matte-Flat-Black-Vinyl-Car-Wrap-Sticker-Decal-Air-Release-Bubble-Free-Film-DIY/361770919824 )
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: Howard_Casto on June 17, 2019, 12:39:50 pm
I've still got some black parts express vinyl that I ordered eons ago that I use.  It's not super durable, but it gets the job done.   It's basically for custom speaker enclosures for car audio.  It's a little bit thicker than the stuff JD is talking about, so it covers boo boos better.  The parts express stuff is better imho because it's 2 feet wide, which is wide enough to cover most cabinet sides. 
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: pbj on June 17, 2019, 02:59:39 pm
Parts Express.  That's the place I couldn't remember.  I got some black vinyl stuff a decade ago that looks great if you apply it to a glass like surface, which I ain't got.  I just want some of that heavy duty textured stuff I played on in the JAMMA days.

Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: Howard_Casto on June 17, 2019, 03:04:41 pm
Can't help you there.  Now that the hobby has went psuedo mainstream everyone thinks their arcade junk pile is worth it's weight in gold. 

Happ used to sell a generic vinyl covering for their vending machines... it's textured but thick.  Not sure if they still sell it. 
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: JDFan on June 17, 2019, 05:20:51 pm
IF you haven't used your $3 discount on Ebay posted in the Free Crap Thread - yet the one I linked is only $2.95 !  :cheers:
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: J_K_M_A_N on June 18, 2019, 09:46:50 am
I ordered some of this off Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YLFUFLY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for a CP. It was not too bad. If you hit it with a corner it will dent like a mofo though.

J_K_M_A_N
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: javeryh on June 18, 2019, 10:39:16 am
I may try some speaker paint for my next CP.  It cures nicely - goes on thick.  Only issue is texture, which I suppose you could control with the brush/roller.  I've only ever rolled it on thick so the surface is very rough but it seems like it would hold up well with wear and tear.

(https://i.imgur.com/skOjvvm.jpg?1)

The texture here was done on purpose with a roller because I thought it would look cool (and it does!).  Thinner coats should work.  The paint is called Duratex and it is specifically made for speakers to seal the gaps.
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: gingecko on June 18, 2019, 11:34:39 am
That would be awesome for a Venom cab.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/18/Venom_%282018_film_poster%29.png/220px-Venom_%282018_film_poster%29.png)
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: Mike A on June 18, 2019, 11:59:47 am
That Duratex works great. I saw it in one of javeryh's posts and I bought some. I used it to paint a custom bass guitar speaker cabinet. It is durable and stands up to the vibration of a bass amp. The roller that came with it is textured. I don't know how it would look if it was brushed on smooth.
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: jdbailey1206 on June 19, 2019, 03:47:29 pm
I don't know how it would look if it was brushed on smooth.

Smooth like dis...
(https://i.giphy.com/media/XtEFDhE79TqO4/giphy.webp)
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: pbj on June 19, 2019, 03:54:57 pm
That stuff is $40/quart.

Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: gingecko on June 19, 2019, 04:23:21 pm
A verrrry expensive Venom cab.
Title: Re: Generic control panel overlays
Post by: javeryh on June 19, 2019, 08:09:32 pm
A verrrry expensive Venom cab.

yeah it's not cheap but it goes a very long way.  I bought a quart and was able to cover 5 small surround sound speakers, 3 giant LCR speakers and 2 huge subwoofers plus parts of a small arcade cabinet and I still have around 1/3 of it left.