parts express speaker covering

[wofat]

Anyone use this stuff for covering your control panel?
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=16777315&St=9072&St2=-70440363&St3=44492171&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=120419&DID=7

ANy opinions or suggestions.

[SirPeale]

Anyone use this stuff for covering your control panel?


ANy opinions or suggestions.

Shorter Link

Oh yeah!  That stuff.  There was a thread about that a little while ago.  Oscar did some experiments...

 * S E A R C H I N G *

Ah...found!

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=7427

[Ken Layton]

The Parts Express vinyl looks just like the "black pica" vending machine vinyl. I've installed black pica vinyl on several game conversions I've done over the years and it looks good & lasts a long time. As with any vinyl, you install it with either a "decal applicator" (smooth plastic wedge), squeegee, or roller.

[BLACK KNIGHT]

Do you think it would looks stupid to cover the sides of an arcade cabinet with this stuff?  I built my arcade out of plywood and didn't really get it as smooth as I wanted sanding...so I was thinking of just covering it with this.  Any ideas?


BTW, Zeitgeist used it to for his:
http://www.arcadecontrols.com/files/Uploads/line-up.jpg

[Ken Layton]

You'll need to fill in any small holes or gouges in the plywood and the surface should be smooth to the touch. Clean the wood surface of all sanding dust or the vinyl won't stick. I've seen many cabinets done this way and they seem to be ok. Personally I think you should paint or varnish the wood first, let dry/cure, then put the vinyl on as the vinyl sticks best to a clean smooth surface.

[RandyT]

Do you think it would looks stupid to cover the sides of an arcade cabinet with this stuff?  I built my arcade out of plywood and didn't really get it as smooth as I wanted sanding...so I was thinking of just covering it with this.  Any ideas?

The biggest problem is that it only comes 2' wide, so you'll be making seams.  If you can live with that, and you have a smooth surface (10mil isn't thick enough to cover gross imperfections) you should be ok.

RandyT

[Tiger-Heli]

The biggest problem is that it only comes 2' wide, so you'll be making seams.  If you can live with that, and you have a smooth surface (10mil isn't thick enough to cover gross imperfections) you should be ok.

RandyT

OSCAR has some good tips on dealing with seams in the thread the PEALE posted above.

[BLACK KNIGHT]

Well I've already painted the cabinet black.  Here's a pic:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mtremblay/arcade24.JPG

[Howard_Casto]

I use the stuff via oscar's reccomendations.  It works great and will actually cover much more flaws then you would think.  

btw to seam it you do like you would do two pieces of wall paper..... overlap, score a line through both and then peel back and remove the cutout bits.  Couldn't be easier, but in all honesty I"m not sure if a person would be satisfied with the seam it leaves on the side of their cab.  

[RandyT]

OSCAR has some good tips on dealing with seams in the thread the PEALE posted above.

So does the site that sells the stuff.  Click here.

Not only shows you how to do the butt-joints but also warns about showing surface imperfections through the material and the prep work involved.

RandyT

[MilitiaMan]

I used the black vinyl to cover the top of my CP and it looks good ... but please allow me to share a word of warning.

Sand, Sand ... then Sand again ... and when you think it looks smooth enough, Sand some more.

This stuff looked like crap the first time I installed it because I thought it would hide the imperfections in my wooden Control Panel. It does not - if anything, it might have ENHANCED the imperfections.

So ... before applying, fill in any nicks, cuts, or scratches with wood putty and then keep on sanding until perfect. Then .... and only then ... apply your vinyl.

It will make you happy!  

MM

BTW, Here is a pic of the finished product ... sorry so dark!