Black Vinyl is a pain in the @$$

Dave27

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Well I had my first experience putting black vinyl on the side of my cabinet. Now I consider myself very handy and good at just about anything when I put my mind to it. Plus I have seen countless restorations by all of you and now have a new respect for people who put on big sheets of sideart. I thought "this is going to be a cakewalk I'll whip this out in no time". I have built my own house,contracted the whole thing as well,and drew my own sightplan to boot,remodled my master bathroom restored a 1930 model A,etc,etc how hard can this be right. It took me a good 3 hours to do one side and put the T-molding on. It seemed like forever and in that time I managed to stretch a 4'X4' Piece which I ended up saving for small panels on the front. Replaced the stretched piece with a new one that came out purfect. I gashed my finger with my exacto knife nearly needing stitches and was fighting instl. of this black stuff all the way,and at the same time I had visions of Noice's crystal castles sideart instl. in my head. I actually could see where what happened to Noice could happen to someone else if they are not carfull :) Well needless to say by the time I was done it came out near purfect but I'll make sure I have more time when I do the other side. I wont tell you guys what cabinet this is because I'm sure some of you will throw rocks at me but I did alittle Phet customizing to it and when its done it will be the coolest-------- you will ever see :) Thought I would share my experience incase anyone is thinking of tackling one and like me has never done it befor........Later.....Dave
 
Would it ever have looked like this? ;)

CrystalCastlesMoppet.jpg
 
I swear that this ONE PICTURE has done more to discourage people from putting on sideart than anything else in the history of video game restorations! :)
 
It helps enormously to have a helper to hold the material while you work it down. Working alone, its so easy to take tension off of it and have it stick where you don't want it, which begins the whole battle of lifting it and trying to put it back down.
 
I've gotta know your technique. I've done several full-size side arts dry, and with no helper, and it has never taken more than about 15 minutes per side. Never got a bubble or wrinkle either (well, my 720 vinyl did get a few tiny bubbles, but they disappeared by the next day). I'm wondering if you tried a strange technique or something?

Wade
 
Just to make sure were clear that is a picture of Noices Crystal Castles not the cabinet I did :) Mine came out very nice allthough I need to order more T-molding because the cabinet sucked up nearly 25' just on one side. Wade I would like to know your technique 15 min. is amazing.I left my cabinet standing up for aplication I wonder if it would be easier to apply it wit the cabinet lying down.
 
Cool I'll try that when I do the other side. I'm sure the second side will be easier its allways harder the first time on just about anything.
 
Mine came out very nice although I need to order more T-molding because the cabinet sucked up nearly 25' just on one side.

25 feet of t-molding for one side?! Holy cow; I've got to see this cab. You must have done the back and bottom as well, eh?

Pete
 
Yah I just followed where the old T-molding was and yes it goes on the bottom as well from a 25' piece which I thought was plenty for both sides I had 2' left over after one side so to be exact I used 23' on one side :( now I have to order more today.
 
I lay down on its side and roll the vinyl on dry, peeling the backing off from underneath
about an 1" or 2 at at time.
The peeled backing creates a lift keeping the expose vinyl adhesive up off the cab untill you squegee down.
Prep and Patience are key
 

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I agree with Rich, lying it down and peeling back about an inch at a time with a squegee is key.

I have also found that depending on the thickness of the vinyl, you need to make sure the temperature of your cab and the room where you are applying the vinyl isn't too hot, or it will want to stretch, or too cold, or it will rip.

One more tip, when doing a front panel where there is a hole for the coin door, be sure to apply a premask. It stops it from stretching and works like a charm.
 
I've gotta know your technique. I've done several full-size side arts dry, and with no helper, and it has never taken more than about 15 minutes per side. Never got a bubble or wrinkle either (well, my 720 vinyl did get a few tiny bubbles, but they disappeared by the next day). I'm wondering if you tried a strange technique or something?

Wade

+1. I do full side art by myself all the time. I've probably installed 100+ drift kits at this point and never had help on any of them. I just did a MsPac over the weekend and it came out fine.

Maybe practice makes perfect is the reason here?

Matt
 
Yep agreeing with Rikitiki on this one. I hate having anyone around me when I do this stuff so in order for it to be a one man job I also use this technique. And also agree whether you are painting, laying stencils down or laying vinyl of any sort having it on it's side is certainly the easiest to deal with. And Noises pic is the poster child for EPIC FAIL.
 
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One more tip, when doing a front panel where there is a hole for the coin door, be sure to apply a premask. It stops it from stretching and works like a charm.

More detail, please...what do you mean by pre-mask? Something to cover the hole that the vinyl attaches to, rather than free space? What material do you suggest?
 
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