What am I looking for?

[wonkalow]

I've been trying to figure out for quite a while what to do to cover the wood (sides, front etc) of my MAME machine. Paint, or some kind of laminate or sticker. I tried painting and it came out horribly. So I'd prefer just to buy something to lay over the wood. However I don't know what I'm looking for. I know I want black, but do I want a giant vinyl sticker? black laminate of some kind? I checked my local Lowes and Home depot but couldnt find anything along those lines in black. So my question is, what is it exactly I need to ask for when I go to these places? or is there a simpler solution like a giant roll of a black vinyl sticker I can order online that will look just as good?

I like the stuff you see covering things like a desk you would buy at walmart, but I have no clue what it is or what its called, or where to find it.

[ivwshane]

What you want is laminate and it's expensive as hell:|

http://samples.wilsonart.com/p-289-black-1595-60.aspx

[Chadwick]

Laminate runs about $50 a sheet (4x8) and you'll need 2 sheets

You'll also need the following:
-Router with flush trim bit
-Laminate scoring tool
-Laminate roller
-Bunch of 1/4" dowels
-Laminate Contact Adhesive

If you have none of the above, expect to spend $250-$300 for everything I've listed.  If you have a router, subtract $100

[BASS!]

I've covered a machine in red an black vinyl. Just go to a upholstery shop and see what remanents that they have that you like, and pick up a couple cans of 3m spray adhesive.

Tools needed:

Good sharp razor box cutter with extra blades
Staple gun
rolling pin ( metal is best but wood will work)

 You may want to lay the machine flat but that is not totally a killer. Just rough cut your shape leaving plenty of extra all the way around your shape (about 3-4 inches as the vinyl will shrink as it dries), then toss your pieces somewhere you can spray a good even coat to the back of them, and let them sit for a couple minutes so the adhesive can foam up. Now spray the sides of your machine and let them start to do the same. After about 4 minutes when the stuff is getting tacky toss your pieces on the side and flatten it down with your hands. It is good to start at the middle so that you can even out where the glue is, and to take out any bubbles. Once it is attached get your roller out and go to town. Roll from the middle outward getting the vinyl flat as a pancake over your sides. Now pull out your staple gun and while pulling the vinyl tightly put in your first staple. I like to start at the top in the middle, on the inside of you t molding groove. Once you get your first do the same on the opposite side (this time the bottom middle), then the right and left. All the while you will be overlapping the matereal over where your tmolding will be. Now start working your way around and tack it down keeping the stuff nice and tight and adjusting where your staples are as needed. Over the next couple hours just check in with your rolling pin flattening down any bubbles that may arise

**Hint** If you have any stubborn bubbles a nice sharp needle to let air out works wonders and no one will know:-)***

In about 3 hours your glue should be almost completely dry, and bubble free. Just take your box knife ( make sure it is really sharp) and set it in your tmolding groove and use that as a guide to cut the excess. Replace the tmolding and you are done.

If there are any flat areas that you cannot wrap around just get some premade corner molding from the hardware store, paint it and nail it down over where your staples are to hide your work.

I'm sure I missed something so feel free to ask me to clarify:-)

[BASS!]

PS you should be able to do this for + or - $50.