Laminate or Paint for MVS cab restore

[otsep]

Looking through material options and I'm considering using new laminate instead of paint.

I'm interested in the community's experience and thoughts around laminate/mica.

Is this a bad idea?


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[ivwshane]

When you say "restore", are you referring to making it original again or simply making it look new, as in pretty and nice?

If the latter, I'd personally go with laminate unless you have some decent painting skills. Laminate looks better, it's easier to get a professional look with it, it's more scratch proof, hides imperfections in the wood better, and imo is easier to work with.

The cons? Its more expensive (3-4 times more).

To me its a no brainer and I'm saying this a someone who has painted two cabs.

[paigeoliver]

The originals have red vinyl over a bare particle board cabinet.

[Malenko]

I used paint. Laminate is more expensive but can yield great results.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148826.0.html

[otsep]

When you say "restore", are you referring to making it original again or simply making it look new, as in pretty and nice?

If the latter, I'd personally go with laminate unless you have some decent painting skills. Laminate looks better, it's easier to get a professional look with it, it's more scratch proof, hides imperfections in the wood better, and imo is easier to work with.

The cons? Its more expensive (3-4 times more).

To me its a no brainer and I'm saying this a someone who has painted two cabs.

Considering I'm going to have some parts reproduced, making look new is the goal.

I have family in the cabinet business, so the cost is actually on par.  The challenge in dealing with the black portions on the inside edge.

[otsep]

The originals have red vinyl over a bare particle board cabinet.

Any particular vinyl?  I would guess this scratches easily and makes it hard to repair?

[otsep]

I used paint. Laminate is more expensive but can yield great results.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148826.0.html

I'm using your thread as guidance.  The paint process is no joke, but seems like it would be fairly easy to fix when scratched.

[ivwshane]

When you say "restore", are you referring to making it original again or simply making it look new, as in pretty and nice?

If the latter, I'd personally go with laminate unless you have some decent painting skills. Laminate looks better, it's easier to get a professional look with it, it's more scratch proof, hides imperfections in the wood better, and imo is easier to work with.

The cons? Its more expensive (3-4 times more).

To me its a no brainer and I'm saying this a someone who has painted two cabs.

Considering I'm going to have some parts reproduced, making look new is the goal.

I have family in the cabinet business, so the cost is actually on par.  The challenge in dealing with the black portions on the inside edge.

That would definitely be an issue. Maybe a combination of both paint and laminate?

[otsep]

That would definitely be an issue. Maybe a combination of both paint and laminate?

I'm leaning in that direction right now.  I'm a little concerned on the finish of the laminate.  I want to make sure it won't make the stickers look "off" or wrinkled.

[paigeoliver]

The originals have red vinyl over a bare particle board cabinet.

Any particular vinyl?  I would guess this scratches easily and makes it hard to repair?

Pretty thin IIRC. My last Neo Geo was the dedicated Samurai Shodown II style, not the red cab, but the stuff on the sides seemed no thicker than stickers.

[Le Chuck]

I've been a paint guy in the past, just laminated a cabinet.  Yes I spent ~$30 more.  I also saved about a week.  Was able to take the entire cabinet from bare wood to complete in a few hours.  10/10 would laminate again. 

[otsep]

I've been a paint guy in the past, just laminated a cabinet.  Yes I spent ~$30 more.  I also saved about a week.  Was able to take the entire cabinet from bare wood to complete in a few hours.  10/10 would laminate again.

What kind of laminate did you use?  Did you also apply decals/stickers to the laminate?


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[Le Chuck]

I've been a paint guy in the past, just laminated a cabinet.  Yes I spent ~$30 more.  I also saved about a week.  Was able to take the entire cabinet from bare wood to complete in a few hours.  10/10 would laminate again.

What kind of laminate did you use?  Did you also apply decals/stickers to the laminate?


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Wilsonart sheets available at Home Depot.  My local doesn't carry black so I had to order it online, free shipping, no issues.  Used a single can of 3M 90 adhesive, was enough to do dual surface application for a cabaret.  Might need a second can depending on size.  Haven't done vinyl yet on this most recent one, will later.

Have put vinyl over laminate in the past.  Works great.  Done both wet and dry apps with no issues.  Just clean it before hand to get any hand oils off or anything that would interfere with the adhesive and you'll be good to go.

[keilmillerjr]

The originals have red vinyl over a bare particle board cabinet.

Any particular vinyl?  I would guess this scratches easily and makes it hard to repair?

Pretty thin IIRC. My last Neo Geo was the dedicated Samurai Shodown II style, not the red cab, but the stuff on the sides seemed no thicker than stickers.

Agreed. I have regular mvs 2-slot and vinyl is thin as ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Its probably why it looks like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

[otsep]

Pretty thin IIRC. My last Neo Geo was the dedicated Samurai Shodown II style, not the red cab, but the stuff on the sides seemed no thicker than stickers.

Agreed. I have regular mvs 2-slot and vinyl is thin as ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Its probably why it looks like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

My 2-slot came with a 4-slot board I'm looking to replace it with the right one.