tips of removing overlay

silvereagle

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What do most of you use to remove an old ovelay from a control panel?

I am trying to remove the original SFII CE overlay off my control panel but this damn thing is stubborn as a biatch. I'be been on it for a couple of hours and hardly made any progress :(

Any tips would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks
 
removal

1. Grab a razor blade.
2. start peeling
3. spray Goof Off all over the sticky residue on the CP..
4. Grab a scraper.. Metal scraper if a metal cp, plastic scraper on wood cp.
5. clean off with mineral spirits when u can't scrape no more
6. Grind all the left over crap (if metal cp) use a drill with a wire brush bit..
7. repaint if needed..

Finally..attach your new cpo
 
sorry, i meant just removing the console so i can clean it, switch out buttons and all that. not change it to another game.
 
Try opening the coin door and looking underneath the panel. There's usually three latches; one in the back and one on both sides. Pull them down and out, disconnect any wiring connectors (usually just one), then it should lift right out.

As for removing an overlay, a razor blade will usually do the trick.
 
If it's a metal control panel, sticking it in a 200-300 degree oven should help it come off a litte more easily... Just don't crank it up to 500 degrees without the fan running and all windows open! :)
 
Harbor Freight sells a soldering iron-like razor blade scraper that works awesome.

It's only about $12 bucks and has been the best thing for those stubborn Atari overlays.

Once all the overlay material is off, a quick scrubbing with Goof Off and steel wool leaves the panel very clean and ready for the new artwork.
 
For me, it's always been a major PITA and mess. I usually end up peeling off the overlay, but leaving the layer or adhesive. I then use Stryp-Eez to strip the adhesive like you would paint. Wipe with lacquer thinner, get it all clean, sand, primer, repaint.
 
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