Laminating Cabinet Sides

D_Harris

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For those who have applied black laminate to their cabinet sides, as for the texture, is Gloss, Matte, or Linearity preferred?

Any opinions concerning the pros and cons of each?

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
For those who have applied black laminate to their cabinet sides, as for the texture, is Gloss, Matte, or Linearity preferred?

Any opinions concerning the pros and cons of each?

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

I've used matte, my only problem with it is it looks dirty if not cleaned a lot.
 
I like the black matte stuff thisoldgame sells. It is primarily for Atari restos, but matches pretty well on any game that was originally black melamine. Plus sideart will stick to it well.
 
I go with the matte. It does well for me. Hides all surface imperfections within reason unlike any you apply like a vinyl sticker. A little tip, if you buy laminate/formica, get the kind used for vertical surfaces. It's thinner, cheaper, and will do the job you need it to. I'm installing some tomorrow. I can post pics.
 
I used matt finish and love it.

I applied it to a cab, and it looks just the same as black melamine I used on another cab.

My Asteroids front and under the control panel is smooth glossy, and I like the matt finish better
 
I think he's referring to formica laminate. Which sux :)
 
I think he's referring to formica laminate. Which sux :)

I respectfully disagree, for some situations. If we're talking about the front panel on an Atari cabinet, formica is ideal, and it was used on a LOT of them. I'm considering making the replacement kick panel and 'back' door panels on my SW cp out of particle board or plywood with laminate. Yes, vinyl is more accurate, yet the vinyl on an original panel still looks a little different than the replacement, since the sheen is slightly different to me.

I think a good option, for a look of authenticity, is to cut the replacement panel out of white melamine coated particle board, but oversized. I've noticed some vinyl PB panels Atari used were black on the outside and white on the inner cabinet.

Use matte black formica laminate on one side, using contact cement, etc.. Then trim all four sides, cutting the panel to size on the tablesaw. With a good blade, you'll get razor sharp edges. This eliminates the need for flush trimming and you get perfect edges. I have a Woodworker II blade that makes edges that feel like they were sanded. A lot of work, but that's one option.
 
Don't get me wrong, for panels that had formica or similar laminate to start with i'm all for replacing it that way. Kickpanels like centipede and most ataris came that way.. However, putting white laminate on the side of a centipede I don't like at all because it always comes out looking like an op taking the fast way out to me. The laminates are too thick and usually you see the edges when you put tmolding on. Great for a mame cab or whatever, but not for restoration on a visible art surface.

I love woodworker 2 blades, got Forrests on all my shop tools!
 
The Formica, is that what they use on the front of Atari cabs? I have a Centipede Cabaret, and unfortunately the bottom front corner has a big chunk broken off it. I have the pieces, and was going to glue it back on. Can a person get Formica to replace the whole front piece?

I also was wondering about the wood grain on the sides, its peeled on one back corner. Still all there, and i was thinking gluing it but would rather replace the wood grain, is it still available somewhere? I also was thinking about making it matt black and applying a side cab graphic, but thats not how they came so thinking maybe not

Thank you for any replies.
 
Does anyone recommend a place to buy the vinyl? thisoldgame is out of stock

Yeah, I'm also looking for an alternative as I'm trying to re-laminate a Gauntlet and the cab is wider than 36 inches. I don't think a seam on the laminate will look all that hot.

Thanks,
-M
 
Yeah, I'm also looking for an alternative as I'm trying to re-laminate a Gauntlet and the cab is wider than 36 inches. I don't think a seam on the laminate will look all that hot.

Thanks,
-M


Go the formica route. You can get 48" wide sheets or even 60" wide. If you didn't know that already...

I did inadvertently however make a seam with the formica black laminate and it didn't look bad at all and I am very picky. I was doing a Street Fighter Dynamo cabinet and my dad laid down his end of the formica crooked and it didn't cover the whole side so he had to do a triangle slice of formica and splice it in lol
 
I had Oracal send me samples until I found one I liked for my Galaga. It's kinda a medium low gloss.

Galaga%2B069.jpg
 
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