T-Molding After Laminating

[cavnex]

I have a convert-a-cab that is destined to be a Space Fury or a Tac/Scan.

After months of dithering between new woodgrain vinyl and laminate, I decided that laminate was a better route to take, and the cab now has very clean Wilsonart vertical laminate that's close to a match to the original woodgrain vinyl.

Even though it's a vertical laminate, it causes 3/4" T-molding to come up slightly short.

I ordered some 7/8" T-molding, and it covers the outside edge just fine, but it's just barely too wide on the inside edge. [Although I'm not sure anyone but me would notice it.]

I'm curious what other folks who've chosen laminate have done for T-molding after-the-fact?

 

[newsheriffintown]

I have a convert-a-cab that is destined to be a Space Fury or a Tac/Scan.

After months of dithering between new woodgrain vinyl and laminate, I decided that laminate was a better route to take, and the cab now has very clean Wilsonart vertical laminate that's close to a match to the original woodgrain vinyl.

Even though it's a vertical laminate, it causes 3/4" T-molding to come up slightly short.

I ordered some 7/8" T-molding, and it covers the outside edge just fine, but it's just barely too wide on the inside edge. [Although I'm not sure anyone but me would notice it.]

I'm curious what other folks who've chosen laminate have done for T-molding after-the-fact?

Only watched someone laminate a cab once before and I don't remember there being any issue with the molding, so no experience talking here... But don't they make a t mold trimmer that just runs down the side of the cab? I think I have one but have never used it. Might be worth a try

 

[Wyo]

I have a convert-a-cab that is destined to be a Space Fury or a Tac/Scan.

After months of dithering between new woodgrain vinyl and laminate, I decided that laminate was a better route to take, and the cab now has very clean Wilsonart vertical laminate that's close to a match to the original woodgrain vinyl.

Even though it's a vertical laminate, it causes 3/4" T-molding to come up slightly short.

I ordered some 7/8" T-molding, and it covers the outside edge just fine, but it's just barely too wide on the inside edge. [Although I'm not sure anyone but me would notice it.]

I'm curious what other folks who've chosen laminate have done for T-molding after-the-fact?

I would probably let it go if it's barely noticeable. Were always our worst critic. Anyway, my .02.

 

[parism]

You can try the 13/16 t molding, just order a sample from t-molding.com

You can also trim your existing one, as it was suggested, John did a video about this

https://youtu.be/dmdmMHNmOWo

I used 13/16 on my OutRun that I laminated, it was a hair wider than the cab and had to be trimmed a little in a few places, but I liked it in the end.

Paris

 

[2HitWonder]

I would probably let it go if it's barely noticeable. Were always your worst critic. Anyway, my .02.

I second this. We are all guilty of wanting these 40 year old games to be perfect, but nobody else would notice small details like that.

 

[kspiff]

I would probably ignore it, but on the other hand laminate edges are actually pretty damn sharp.

 

[Smoke-Inator]

Looks like a trimmer is in my future...Gota get mine perfect

 

[behrmr]

As mentioned 13/16" T molding or use a quad cutter. But a quad cutter will leave you with a flat face on the t molding edge

I usually sand the edge so its not sharp then use a black sharpie on the cut edge and bang in 3/4" molding and call it a day.

 

[joeycuda]

Edge trimmer, usually used for trimming wood edge banding flush. FYI edge banding is wider than 3/4 ply so has to be trimmed afterwards. Tool is associated with wood working.

 

[cavnex]

I didn't realize that trimmers for such things existed.

I'll try trimming, and if I dislike the flattened edge look, try the slightly-different molding.

Thanks again, all!

 

[GORFguyOhio]

Just use 13/16. It works great.
I laminated a Pacmania cabinet in white and used 13/16 black smooth and it looks perfect.
I painted the middle of the cabinet a couple of times in black and it barely hangs over the edge.
You're only adding 1/16 to the cabinet, but splitting that to 1/32 on each side.
This is what I will always be using.
Tmolding dot com and Outwater Plastics both carry it.
For some reason the Outwater t-molding seems to lay flatter.
Which is closer to the Atari version. Just FYI.
Give it a try sometime.

 

[cavnex]

Thanks! I'm going to see how the trimmer result looks, and I may buy some 13/16ths irrespective.

 

[joeycuda]

Just use 13/16. It works great.
I laminated a Pacmania cabinet in white and used 13/16 black smooth and it looks perfect.
I painted the middle of the cabinet a couple of times in black and it barely hangs over the edge.
You're only adding 1/16 to the cabinet, but splitting that to 1/32 on each side.
This is what I will always be using.
Tmolding dot com and Outwater Plastics both carry it.
For some reason the Outwater t-molding seems to lay flatter.
Which is closer to the Atari version. Just FYI.
Give it a try sometime.

Thanks. Sounds like the solution for any laminated cab.

 

[GORFguyOhio]

Here are some pics.
If anyone wants any more close ups, just ask.
I'll say this, it seems to work well for Atari cabs.
Probably always safer to measure your cab after you install the laminate, and then go from there.
I'm going to be doing some Atari System 1 cabinets next, in black matte.

 

[joeycuda]

Here are some pics.
If anyone wants any close ups, just ask.

Thanks. That looks great....

 

[Charles Kline]

Here are some pics.
If anyone wants any more close ups, just ask.
I'll say this, it seems to work well for Atari cabs.
Probably always safer to measure your cab after you install the laminate, and then go from there.
I'm going to be doing some Atari System 1 cabinets next, in black matte.

Looks good. Is that the Outwater t-molding?

 

[seanengadet]

I used 13/16 for my Championship Sprint cabinet restore and it went perfectly.

Pics in my signature.

 

[OldTymeToys]

I've never had an issue with 7/8" after using vertical grade laminate, but GorfGuy seems to be onto something here.

If I had your issue, I think I would do what behrmr does or just order new t-molding. I've had limited success with trimming. I think it actually looked worse trimmed, plus the trimmer itself can scratch up the cab. So you need to pull all the t-molding off and trim it somewhere on the cab with a straight area... and if you already are pulling the t-molding off, you might as well just order the 13/16".

 

[cavnex]

I've never had an issue with 7/8" after using vertical grade laminate, but GorfGuy seems to be onto something here.

If I had your issue, I think I would do what behrmr does or just order new t-molding. I've had limited success with trimming. I think it actually looked worse trimmed, plus the trimmer itself can scratch up the cab. So you need to pull all the t-molding off and trim it somewhere on the cab with a straight area... and if you already are pulling the t-molding off, you might as well just order the 13/16".

The upside for me is that I already have the 7/8", and a trimmer. I don't mind ordering the 13/16" at this point, but I don't have a lot to lose by seeing what the trimmed molding looks like.

Thanks for the heads up; I definitely don't want it scratching the laminate. I'll use a test area and likely be a bit paranoid. :|

 

[OldTymeToys]

The upside for me is that I already have the 7/8", and a trimmer. I don't mind ordering the 13/16" at this point, but I don't have a lot to lose by seeing what the trimmed molding looks like.

Thanks for the heads up; I definitely don't want it scratching the laminate. I'll use a test area and likely be a bit paranoid. :|

Post your thoughts and results after you attempt it. I'm always curious if the issue was me, or my trimmer, or my OCD.