Lexan material / cabinet covering?

[ataritoobin]

I'm making an interactive arcade machine for an upcoming art project and I'm curious as if there's a thin, clear, textured lexan material similar to that used on old control panel overlays?  Is there some place that will print a one off on this type of material (rather than screened)?  Is this available in rolls?

Also, is there a black vinyl or lexan covering for cabinets that is smooth?  I've seen the stuff from Parts Express (using it on a Dig Dug restoration!) but the stuff from them, Happ, and a couple vending distributers is all textured..is there a smooth black available?

Thanks!

[SNAAKE]

www.mamemarquee.com

laminated vinyl is what you are looking for !

[releasedtruth]

If you're looking for a covering that's smooth you could try a formica/wilsonart laminate, but there's still just a slight texture to those. Almost imperceptable though, and pretty reasonably priced if you have lam flush trim bit, etc. I've also seen various acrylite/lexan materials that are tinted, but much much thicker than I think you want. Sintra has nearly no grain either, but again, thick.

[Turnarcades]

Well I've yet to test the long-term durability of my arcade covering, but I used a Matt Black finish Fablon. Fablon (or any other type of sticky-back plastic) works well as it is much cheaper than lexan/formica, is flexible enough to be styled exactly as wanted, and the high-grade Fablon hides minor imperfections and has no texture of it's own. I covered all of my cabinet in Fablon, which is available in rolls wide enough to be applied without 'piecing' sections together. What I also found was that because it is relatively thin, it can be curled over the edges and under the T-moulding,leaving a better finish around the edges thatn lexan, which over time could lift and peel.

Give it a go if you are on a budget. My cabinet was covered with 4 rolls of the stuff, for a cost of about