Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: willhs on August 24, 2007, 05:15:02 pm

Title: QuarterArcade Black Vinyl?
Post by: willhs on August 24, 2007, 05:15:02 pm
Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on this vinyl:

http://quarterarcade.com/Game.aspx/4479

 :cheers:
Title: Re: QuarterArcade Black Vinyl?
Post by: ARTIFACT on August 24, 2007, 07:59:21 pm
that's pretty cool
Title: Re: QuarterArcade Black Vinyl?
Post by: Pac-Fan on August 24, 2007, 10:08:47 pm
$7.25 + shipping for 4 sq feet? ($1.80 per sq foot)

Go to PartsExpress and get 40 sq feet for $19.95 + shipping (50 cents a sq foot and is 24" x 20' long).

Has a slight soft pebble texture to it, a tad larger than flexible lexan control panel overlay pebbling. They also have woodgrain ones too, and it's exremely sticky and works on cabs or panels or speakers.

Advantage here is you can get it up to 50" wide instead of only 24" from parts express
Title: Re: QuarterArcade Black Vinyl?
Post by: willhs on August 25, 2007, 03:39:25 am
well, the thing is, I'm just trying to cover a CP.  My CP is only 12"x23", so potentially one sheet of this stuff is enough to cover everything for ~$8, and getting all that stuff from PartsExpress isn't necessary.  My question is whether anyone has used the QuarterArcade stuff and whether it's any good.  I mean, I guess I could pay all that extra money for stuff I don't need if it's higher quality.   :cheers:
Title: Re: QuarterArcade Black Vinyl?
Post by: CheffoJeffo on August 25, 2007, 08:44:05 am
I've used the Happ black Pica vinyl on a 4 CPs so far (all non-dedicated cabs) and find it works really well (so long as the surface is clean). I know a couple of other folks do the same thing.

As Pac-Fan points out, the advantage of going with something like you linked to is the 50" width, although if you are just doing CPs, it doesn't really matter and I'll probably pick up a roll of the stuff from PE int he future (I havea Happ distributor two minutes away from my house, so that stuff was convenient ... and on sale).
Title: Re: QuarterArcade Black Vinyl?
Post by: willhs on August 26, 2007, 02:42:15 pm
Yeah, the main reason I don't want to go for a roll is the shipping, plus I don't think I'll be building another CP for a while.
Title: Re: QuarterArcade Black Vinyl?
Post by: CheffoJeffo on August 26, 2007, 08:38:42 pm
Basically, the control panel needed to be smooth as a sheet of glass - any imperfections were going to be very apparent.

I would agree with this ... almost  -- you need to get ithe surface smoooooth (and then it is beautiful)!

If you are refinishing an old CP, then strip it right down to the metal, getting rid of the remnants and gunk (you should do this anyway).

If you are working on wood,then it is a little less lovely, but get it smooth and it will be fine.

I've used it on 4 metal panels and 1 (well, 3 ... 3-sided cocktail) wood panel with no complaints (but I like the results on metal MUCH better).

So long as you do a decent job of cleaning up, it should be fine.