Appling full sideart

madmanmic

In Memoriam
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
1,024
Reaction score
1
Location
Rockwood, Michigan
So, I'm getting ready to apply my full Asteroids Sideart. I painted the cab black, but I was told to do a coat of gray so the black does not dull the white of the sideart. Any other suggestions? Should I get help? What's the best way to avoid bubbles?

Thanks!
 
Sorry, what's the wet method?

Meh - it's like arguing what's better oil or latex. It's all about what you feel comfortable doing. I personally have always used the dry method (peel and stick) and have never had an air bubble. The wet method is simply spraying the cabinet down so when you apply the artwork, it can be moved and then you squeegee <sp?> it out.
 
Weather you use wet or dry method have another person there to help you. Full side art can be a PITA. Before you decide to use the wet method, a couple questions to ponder. What type of wood is your cab made of, and how good did you seal the wood with your paint job? This is important if your cab is made of particle board or MDF. While a plywood cab will not likely swell, MDF or particle board that is not sealed well by paint around the edges may swell at the edges when you squeegee the water away from under the art. I don't hear this mentioned a lot but I seen it happen.
 
For full side art there is really one way to go unless you have the steady hands of a brain surgeon. Make sure no bare cabinet wood is exposed. Seal it from moisture. Then mix a little dish soap like dawn or ivory in a spray bottle with water. spray on cab, apply side art, then use a rubber tipped squeegee on the sticker to squeeze the liquid and any air bubbles out from underneath and then wipe down with cloth.
 
I have only ever used dry method

Just 1 cm at a time, smoothing left to right as you go.

I have had no bubbles doing this

I am not so keen putting water on timber, that's why I use dry

But each to their own :)
 
Just peel the backing off the side art, hold it out in front of you, and run towards the cabinet. Like this:

CrystalCastlesMoppet.jpg


-Ian
 
For full side art there is really one way to go unless you have the steady hands of a brain surgeon. Make sure no bare cabinet wood is exposed. Seal it from moisture. Then mix a little dish soap like dawn or ivory in a spray bottle with water. spray on cab, apply side art, then use a rubber tipped squeegee on the sticker to squeeze the liquid and any air bubbles out from underneath and then wipe down with cloth.

Everyone has their own method. Personally I disagree that you need to be experienced or a professional to install sideart dry.

I installed sideart on my pinball cabinet without any assistance. I didn't get any air bubbles either. The surface of the cabinet needs to be perfectly smooth. The prep is the most important part. If you want to see my method check YouTube, search for installing cabinet decals.
 
I just did my Tron last night as my first go at sideart. I went dry and didn't get any airbubbles. Watched a few You Tube videos and started from the top and worked VERY slowly down. I looked at every angle as I was doing it, and if I saw a small airbubble, I pulled it back up. I have a squeegee for my shower, but I felt that it was too flimsy for this. I actually took one of the Bondo spatulas, wrapped two tissues around it and taped the top of it. That gave me good strength/firmness to push out the airbubbles, but soft enough to not scratch anything. It took me about 20 min a side, but came out great.
 
i lean the cabinet over a bit and prop it so it doesnt crush me while im in there working on it. i lean the cab over so the decal can hang without contacting the cab where you dont want it to. then i do a littlebit at a time to make sure i dont get air bubbles...
 
i lean the cabinet over a bit and prop it so it doesnt crush me while im in there working on it. i lean the cab over so the decal can hang without contacting the cab where you dont want it to. then i do a littlebit at a time to make sure i dont get air bubbles...


I like that idea....


I have in past also applied from bottom up... for the same reason... peel only a bit of a time... press and smooth as you go from bottom to top.. the natural tension of gravity seemed to help prevent bubbles or folds..

you can use a pencil to get a starting line , use a pencil and careful measurements to get the 2nd side in the exact same position too..
 
Perhaps I'm just lazy. But I lay my cabs on the side. Line up my art, trim the bottom, tape it in place, and start using a tack rag to clean the surface. Then I use my Big Damn squeegee.. Trim the rest, and call it a day.

Here's my secret weapon for side art install.

Oh and if you get bubbles, just poke a small hole with a pin and hand squeegee it out.

http://www.bigsqueegee.com/
 
Back
Top Bottom