Centipede artwork installation

[komodo]

Getting ready to do a cabinet and don't have time to mess it up. Is there a link to a site outlining how to do this? I have done plain vinyl before but I am concerned that I might install it off center or crooked.

I have to still strip the old vinyl and fill a few holes in the cab with bondo and scratch filler.

I'd like this to turn out very nice and would appreciate any advice you might have.

I've been delayed by rain on every day I've been home so I spent that time cleaning out the garage and selling stuff. Now I'm up against a deadline and need to do what I can on the good days to complete it.

Doesn't help that the forecast has rain coming for the next 4 days.

Thanks

 

[p1899m]

Although I haven't done full cab vinyl what I hear time and time again is to use the wet method. So basically you would want to paint the cab after prepped and make sure there is a smooth and clean surface to apply the art to. Then with a spray bottle mist the side of the cab with water. Or water with a drop of dish soap. You will want the cab lying on it's side. The water should allow you to reposition the art if it is not sitting correctly. Once the art is in place you have to squeegee the water out from under the art. It would seem that you would want to keep the type of cab in mind. If your cab is ply wood you might only need a single coat of paint. If the cab is particle board you might want to be sure the cab has a thick enough coat of paint so when you squeegee the water to the edge of the cab the edges don't bubble up on you. After the water is squeegeed from under the art you still need to allow time, possibly a couple of days for art to adhere properly to the cab. Then you can cut off the excess vinyl and go for the other side. Like I said I've only read about this but I've read about it time and time again. I would think you might want a helper to apply a piece of vinyl this big.

 

[arcadejunkie]

thats exactly how i do them what dan said is the best method for me

 

[johnvv]

I've done a couple video game cabs and a pin, where alignment is critical.

I recommend you have a second set of hands to make things easier. Plan carefully and have large, dust-free, work area. If the art is oversized, you can trim a bit before applying and then trim off the remainder once the art is applied.

I use Rapid Tac (available at Tap Plastics here in California) instead of a water mix. I was very happy with how Rapid Tac performed on the pinball art. Much easier than water, didn't dry too fast, and could easily be added as need. Also, no bubbles at all. Rapid Tac is not as cheap as a water mix, but the cost isn't too bad and helps prevent application problems for those of us who are not pros at doing this.

I think there are some sample video of applying sideart and stencils on youtube and BYOAC.

 

[komodo]

Thanks guys. I bought some rapid tac a few weeks ago and was planning on using it. Now all I need are a few dry days.

Pat

 

[Talon2000]

Here's what I use for any large decal application now..

http://www.bigsqueegee.com/

Noticed you were in FM.. I'm over in Princeton, if you need help I'm usually avail Sun-Tue

 

[mjfox]

vinyl installation

I have done around 4-6 Centipede cabinets and have experimented with various methods of finishing the cabinet and have found the following to be true:

One time I tried Just stripping, repairing and sanding without sealing the sides, the problem comes if you have to reposition the artwork which tends to pull up small particles of wood and leave your finish with little bumps. Also it is difficult to spray windex on the wood when it absorbs it right away. The other problem is that the artwork is slightly transparent which showed a slight tinting to the white as the brown bled through. The vinyl had difficulty adhearing to the edges and was starting to lift up.

On another occasion I stripped, repaired, sanded and painted the sides white. The vinyl was having difficulty sticking to the edges of the painted surface as well.

The best result was when I laminated the sides of the cabinet in white and then applied the sideart on top of the laminate. The result was a perfect finish and reduced the time to prep the cab.

Mike

 

[WadeLanham]

I always do it dry my myself and have never had a problem. Get your sides ready and smooth and clean. Line up the artwork where you want it on the game. Tape it down with masking tape or put some heavy objects on it so it doesn't move. Go to one end and peel off about 6 inches of the backing and cut it off cleanly. Then stick down that section, working from the center outwards. Just use your hand on the top to rub it down.

After you get that small section stuck down, remove the masking tape or weights, and flip the artwork over. Then peel the rest of the backing off starting where you already stuck the sticker down. Just peel a few inches at a time, peeling it away as you push down the art with your other hand. Just keep pulling the backing and pushing the art down with your hand. I've done this several times and it only takes a few minutes per side, and you don't have the problems of the wet method, which can be serious when a particle board cabinet like Centipede. Get ready for the cabinet to swell up.

Metahugh posted a good video about this on Youtube. Once you see it done this way you'll see how easy it is. It sounds complicated because it can be hard to explain it.

Wade

 

[Spyridon]

The best result was when I laminated the sides of the cabinet in white and then applied the sideart on top of the laminate. The result was a perfect finish and reduced the time to prep the cab.

I'm working on a Centipede now and that sounds like a good approach. What type of laminiate do I need to look for. Did you have any issues with the t-molding covering the additional thickness on the sides?




.

 

[Mike Doyle]

I've applied full cab art dry before without any problems. Prep is the key with any method and with white vinyl I'd have a good even white base down first, and make damn sure it's fully cured.

Then I'd sand that base to somewhere around 600 to knock the gloss off, clean it and degrease it, then apply the art dry. I start at one edge and hold the art 90° to the cab while I peel off the backing, pulling the backing this way helps to lay down the art smoothly. What you don't want to do is attempt to peel the whole side and apply it.