Where to find Black Adhesive Vinyl

Hmmmm... you might have it reversed. Installing laminate is way easier than installing vinyl. As long as you have a router.
 
Sorry to hear this old game doesn't carry it anymore, I've used their stuff many times.
 
I don't know what product thisoldgame carried, but I used this 3M product on a MK restore and was pleased with the result. But I would not really call it easy to apply, it's actually kind of a pain in the ass... at least to get it looking good. It's probably cheaper to do than laminate, and you can do it without any special tools, but you need to prep the surface extremely smooth because the vinyl will reveal every imperfection you don't take care of.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-1080-Se...m1c7e58f918:m:m9bcx8Os_iy6loa3bIUfpZA&vxp=mtr

They make a satin black also, which is what I used. I'd use it again on small areas but I'd be hesitant to do an entire side of a game with it.
 
It may not be 'proper', but I know there are folks who have been using 3M automotive 'wrapping' vinyl, which apparently is very easy to apply, as it has micro perforations, which let the air bubbles out.

I don't know how close of a match it is to what we've been used to, but might be worth trying out, as I think it's pretty cheap, and easy to get on eBay. I believe Phetishboy used it on one of his restores a while ago, though a don't have a link handy.
 
TOG doesn't carry the black magic anymore? Damn, that stuff was great. Glad I picked up a bunch of it from him then. Cheap, thin vinyl is a pain in the ass to put on, but not that stuff TOG carried. Night and day difference.
 
Hmmmm... you might have it reversed. Installing laminate is way easier than installing vinyl. As long as you have a router.

My carpentry skills suck... and although I have a router, I've never used it.

I redid a Tempest Cabaret's woodgrain years back with a thick vinyl sheet. It was a breeze. No idea where I got the stuff though, and I just want a black matte for this project.

Reply from TOG:

Hey Dave,
Unfortunately the matt black & white vinyl we used for many years has been discontinued by the manufacture recently. I have been searching for any new replacement vinyl and have been unsuccessful at this time. I am sorry we cannot help you with this request.
Thanks again and Game ON!
Kendra of This Old Game
 
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My carpentry skills suck... and although I have a router, I've never used it.

You'd be surprised how much easier it is to re-surface an arcade cabinet side with black laminate. There is basically zero prep needed. Just thinking about vinyl prep gives me nightmares... the surface must be extremely smooth or else it will look like shit. Every little speck that you didn't see is glaring under the vinyl. It also tends to shrink at the edges unless you're wrapping it over into the t-molding channel. With laminate just rough up the surface. Then some contact cement, a j roller, some wooden dowels and a flush trim router bit leaves little to chance and skill.
 
Having done both laminate and vinyl now, laminate is 1000x easier. And if you don't have a router, get one for cheap, and you can use it for dozens of projects.
 
+1 on laminate being easier to apply... to the point that I put black laminate down on my lunar lander before applying the solid black LL art from PhoenixArcade...
 
What is THE cheapest place to buy matte black vertical grade laminate, shipped?

Couple months ago I bought a whole shipment of white, black and woodgrain laminate from a dude in the Midwest somewhere. I'm sure he's all over eBay still. Seemed like a good guy, good stuff, decent prices.
 
By the way, not to take over someone else's Thread, but if anybody has a 6' x 3' piece of the exact black vinyl that Rich used to sell, I need some for a project I'm working on. I ran out halfway through and I'd like to keep it consistent on the other side. Pm me if you have such a piece to sell. Thanks!
 
You'd be surprised how much easier it is to re-surface an arcade cabinet side with black laminate. There is basically zero prep needed. Just thinking about vinyl prep gives me nightmares... the surface must be extremely smooth or else it will look like shit. Every little speck that you didn't see is glaring under the vinyl. It also tends to shrink at the edges unless you're wrapping it over into the t-molding channel. With laminate just rough up the surface. Then some contact cement, a j roller, some wooden dowels and a flush trim router bit leaves little to chance and skill.

So what are the wooden dowels used for?
 
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