Z-Back CPO Replacement Advice, Please

supertechnoboy

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I'm going to replace the CPO on my SFII Z-back, and I'm not sure how to handle the cut corners. Normally, I would strip, prime, and paint the control panel, then apply the overlay. On this one, I'll need to trim the overlay to these cut corners:

cpo_corner.jpg

The black part is just paint, and I'm afraid I'll mess up the new paint when I'm trimming the overlay away. So here are the options I was considering.

1) Strip, prime, paint -> install overlay -> trim and hope for the best (normal way)
2) Install overlay -> mask and paint black corners after
3) Powder coat -> install overlay -> trim and hope for the best

You guys got any secrets for this?
 
Last edited:
I found this thread helpful.

 
Hope you specifically found a CPO for the 3-KOAM K3. The last time i checked there was none and the size and button pattern is different than the Dynamo HS-5 panel.
 
I'm going to replace the CPO on my SFII Z-back, and I'm not sure how to handle the cut corners. Normally, I would strip, prime, and paint the control panel, then apply the overlay. On this one, I'll need to trim the overlay to these cut corners:

View attachment 853986

The black part is just paint, and I'm afraid I'll mess up the new paint when I'm trimming the overlay away. So here are the options I was considering.

1) Strip, prime, paint -> install overlay -> trim and hope for the best (normal way)
2) Install overlay -> mask and paint black corners after
3) Powder coat -> install overlay -> trim and hope for the best

You guys got any secrets for this?
10 years ago I would've done number three. Now I would just do number one. It's all in the way you angle your razor blade. You also have to have a plan in place and a steady hand.
 
I found this thread helpful.

Yes, very helpful, thank you!
 
Hope you specifically found a CPO for the 3-KOAM K3. The last time i checked there was none and the size and button pattern is different than the Dynamo HS-5 panel.
Interesting. I got mine from Szabo, and he's got them listed for HS1, HS5/Z-back, HS9, and Big Blue. I haven't actually test fit it yet.
 
Interesting. I got mine from Szabo, and he's got them listed for HS1, HS5/Z-back, HS9, and Big Blue. I haven't actually test fit it yet.

The HS-5 control panel is 25 3/4 in wide while the 3-KOAM K3 panel is 25 1/2 and the joystick button spacing is different.

Check it before installing.
 
I've been able to do these style CPOs a handful of times. Usually I sand them completely down and use black satin or semigloss spray paint. Once it dries, I go in and apply the CPO and go in with a new exacto knife to trim it off. Angle is important because you could dig back into the paint. Nothing a little touch up wont fix unless you go absolutely ham with the blade. Any scratches in these pictures are from ware and tear. That's the only drawback from the spray paint. Powder coat I imagine will hold up to belt buckles, keys, watches, etc better....

5d6bb44c-12a3-432f-b89a-09e94a135aa8.jpg57f6e61c-2c61-4163-b96a-329b501e4a79.jpg96e01777-1697-46d7-9a18-7d4a9f837c4b.jpg98ecde59-be3a-4b4a-974c-01f53c212c16.jpg
 
I've been able to do these style CPOs a handful of times. Usually I sand them completely down and use black satin or semigloss spray paint. Once it dries, I go in and apply the CPO and go in with a new exacto knife to trim it off. Angle is important because you could dig back into the paint. Nothing a little touch up wont fix unless you go absolutely ham with the blade. Any scratches in these pictures are from ware and tear. That's the only drawback from the spray paint. Powder coat I imagine will hold up to belt buckles, keys, watches, etc better....

View attachment 854273View attachment 854274View attachment 854275View attachment 854276
Those look great! Thank you.

We've got a great powder coat place in town, but my local maker space also has a powder coat sprayer and oven. I need to get checked out on the equipment first, but maybe this is my first DIY powder coat project.
 
Those look great! Thank you.

We've got a great powder coat place in town, but my local maker space also has a powder coat sprayer and oven. I need to get checked out on the equipment first, but maybe this is my first DIY powder coat project.

As I have gotten older I have gotten lazier. I had a sandblasting guy back home that would charge me like $10 to clean off a CP, and a powder coater that would charge me like $50 to coat it. It was a no brainer.

Now that I have moved several hours away, I am looking into at home options, but the cost of a compressor is a deal breaker.

One thing that I might do is to use a guide from the underside like a spreader. That way you can follow the lines, and also have something to protect the CP.

 
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