Posted by JCInsaniac on 11, 2000 at 5:27 PM:
In Reply to: Another Wood Question posted by Cupcakus on 10, 2000 at 6:07 PM:
: OK, so I'll use fiber board and cover it with black contact paper. So what can I use to protect the paper from sratches and peeling? Real arcades use plexyglass, I'd rather not do this, will polyurithane work? (Also I need to protect it againsed spills)
You're on your way...and you're saving $$$ for the stuff that counts...the controls!
Coverings are a matter of choice. If you are going to paint, save yourself more $$$
and use a primer coat first. Then you can paint whatever you like. Personally, I've
been impressed with some guys' projects like the ROSWELL project...simple black paint
with "lunar scene" wallpaper (the paper is $100), another impressive use of materials
was carpeting, like bands cover their amplifier heads and carry cases with.
About the "scratches and peeling" problem. Unfortunately, no matter how good a job
you do, these things happen to sides and fronts, etc. However, if you are talking
primarily about the control panel, why not purchase polycarbonate sheet? Or Lexan?
(Lexan is real hard to form, though) You can build your control panel, and before you
populate it with controls, strap on a sheet of Polycarb sheet, about 1/8" thick, and
scratch the edges of the sheet with an awl or a screwdriver. Then "snap" the polycarb
sheet on the marks and clean it up with 600 grit (or higher) sandpaper. I round the
edges off all the way around. Next, I secure the new "cover plate" on my new control
panel (using tape - lots of it) and flip the control panel over. I'll use the already
drilled holes to perfectly drill the plastic using a trick. Drill the plastic WITHOUT
an arbor bit and with the drill in REVERSE. Drill slowly...the plastic will melt. Clean
up and deburr the holes in the plastic. Use the buttons' housings to secure the plastic
cover to the control panel.