How To Laminate Your Arcade-STOP PAINTING YOUR ARCADE CABINET- Do THIS Instead!
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2024
- This is a tutorial on alternative methods to painting your arcade cabinet. Laminate and Vinyl wrap are two viable alternatives. Take a look at how to do it and Don't Forget to SUBSCRIBE!
Black Laminate 4x8 sheet:
www.homedepot.com/p/Wilsonart...
Vinyl Car Wrap:
amzn.to/42CiKdL
Router Trimmer bit:
amzn.to/49fMU9s
Spray 90 adhesive:
amzn.to/3uw2Fd1
You can find me (and many other retro gamers) on "Rockin the Classics" Discord, and come say hello in "therexershow-arcade corner" room in this discord. Thanks again.
/ discord 
Игры
Heck yeah! Can’t wait to see more of this cab!!
Thanks for all the cool ideas, looks amazing so far👏👍🤙🕹🎮
Because of this very well informative video, not only did I like the video, but I also subscribed. Awesome vid!
FullMetalRaven Thanks FullMetalRaven!!! Appreciate it.
Glad I stumbled upon this tutorial - first cabinet build and was considering painting, vinyl, etc options... going to do this laminate method. thanks for sharing!
It takes a little bit a practice but once you do it, you’ll see it’s the best way. Hides the screw holes perfectly and makes putting artwork on breeZe.
Hello, nice video with great tips! it looks small but a great design!
Great video! You just saved me a ton of time and mess. Thanks for the upload! 🤟
Just be careful with the laminate. It’s very fragile and can crack if you bend it too much.
Thank you .. beautiful job!
Very nice!
Nice man! I’m going to give this a shot this summer.
Make sure to be very careful with the laminate as it will crack easy while handling until you lay it on. Also be careful with the glue. But even if glue gets on the laminate top, it’s easy to clean off. I just did my Red Donkey Kong cab using “spectrum red” from this website. www.cabinetmakerwarehouse.com/catalog/product-category/sheet-laminate/sheet-laminate-wilsonart/
Looks amazing. Most of the time I just put black and full graphic overlays or just the cutout graphic like for a galaga cutout.
@@therexershow The woodworking aspect is far from my strength. I just know I have to start doing this so I don’t have to be as choosy about the cabinets I’m finding. Hell, I don’t even own a router yet.
Im building a cube cabinet for switch with game storage also in game cube with lcd style
Cool looking mini cabinet. Would you consider sharing plans or templates for this cabinet? I live in a small place and this would be the perfect size.
Tman I unfortunately don’t have any drawings or plans, I copied the dims and the pieces from “GameRoom Solutions” Level Up 3/4 inch scale arcade. This particular unit technically sits on a riser to make it close to arcade height . But i can tell you without the rise, it is 49” tall , and the width (outside to outside edge) is 22.5 inches wide. So each cross piece, the kickplate, the front plate, the speaker panel, all are 21 inches wide, and the sides are 3/4 inch MDF board, which makes edge to edge 22.5 wide. You can probably google arcade schematics and find a bunch of stuff.
Nice tip Rexer, I'm gonna try this on a mini NeoGeo cab I'm building
Whoa whoa whoa, how is the cab looking so far? I'm making a Neo Geo mini cab too. I made the side panels but i stop working on it cause im confuse what to do next. Care to help.....
Oh i built this one for a buddy. I don’t even think i have pics any more. Its a pretty nice machine though. pi 4 in it, Riser, just like the Game Room Solutions original 3/4 scale build, not the newer one that is made of 1/2 inch mdf.
@@therexershow Wow, I see. I just check game room solutions. The 3/4 cabinets look amazing
@@vega123ev You know whats funny, is the 22 mid size Marv Vs Capcom design he sows is my artwork. that's the artiwork i gave him to do my cabinet kit when i bought it from them. The only difference is the riser actually. LOL. Im still waiting for my stipend for him using my design. Ha!
I build and refurbish arcades from time to time. and now it is time to build a bunch of bartops in time for christmas to have on display and i was thinking... damn...mdf never ever gets completely smooth enough. even when it does though.. u apply vinyl to it but say oops its not alligned exactly.. the paint can come away onto the vinyl because of the dusty/fibre nature of mdf it can hold paint but some paints just stick to the surface. most dont bond to the fibres of the mdf so this method u have looks nice and clean and a lot less painting and sanding thats for sure.
in the uk though.. i cant seem to find this stuff at a good price anywhere!! so for me i think the mdf has to be painted and sealed and that whole boring process, which i have time for. but it works out cheaper if i buy melamine backed mdf boards.
you have to be super careful with drill hole and cutting as the melamine can chip and it is also difficult to see your pencil or pen lines on black melamine mdf.
but over here a sheet of mdf 8ft is around £30 and melamine backed is £35-£38. so for me id plan ahead to get the backed boards for a new build.
but for getting that nice and smooth laminate feel then this method u have is great! i just wish there were more choice and cost effective supplies of this sort of stuff in the uk!!
All great points. I have to look sometimes I paint the mdf but I haven’t sealed. I guess I e been missing that step. Thanks.
Hi, Great video!... quick question. What about the control panel? Can you use a spade bit to cut your control panel holes without splitting the laminate?
Marcos Georgopoulos I would say it won’t work well. But here’s what you do for the control panel. Cut the holes for the buttons and joystick. After the control panel is all cut, then place laminate on the top with the glue . Then use a drill and drill a small hole into the holes through the laminate . Then use your router and your edger bit and just get the bit in the hole and then circle out a hole the hole in the laminate with your edger bit.
therexershow excellent thank you for that. Now I just need to try to source a similar laminate product in Australia
GENIUS. Changed my whole build plan. I'm new to using routers - what bit are you using to cut the vinyl along the edges? Subscribed!
Look in the description. There is a link. Flush trimmer bit
Also , the glue stick la fast. Be careful applying the laminate, it’s gonna stick quickly and be careful not to spray other parts of your cab with glue on accident
@@therexershow Thanks. I'm pretty convinced this is the way I want to go. Found the glue at Home Depot, but would need the laminate delivered. You say I can use the trimmer bit to cut laminate sheets? Like, plunge and push?
@@coltbecker this is definitely the way to go. It’s so clean looking when done. For precutting, mark the laminate with a piece of chalk in the general length and width you want. Obvious leave yourself plenty of extra inches to spare. Place the large piece of laminate over a table and then cut the laminate with the router. If you are doing a large arcade , you won’t need to precut. Just place the whole thing on the side panel and then trim it. WARNING , if you let the laminate hang off the table too much , it will crack on its own. You can’t let the laminate bend and hang or it will split or crack on its own. Use 2 people to handle the sheets of laminate so you don’t crack them.
@@therexershow I'll post an adventure thread somewhere and keep you updated!! Thanks.
You can paint MDF, but it is does take some experience. Speaker builders paint MDF all the time. I build speakers as a hobby also. But you do need to seal the cabinet first. But it's not for a newbie. And you use automotive paint to get the best finish. I would also suggest wood vaneer if you want the old wood cabinet look.
I’m actually working on a Donkey Kong cab and I’m going to paint the inside black. I’m using MDf , can you suggest a brand and type of paint so I have better success? Do I have to seal it?
I have a bunch of left over OSB from doing my subflooring. I was going to use my old laptop to make a small bar-cade. How does laminate look on sanded OSB?
The Laminate is a very firm piece of Material. Although it can crack easy , it’s still firm , which means when you lay it over the OSB it will be a nice flat surface. Since OsB doesn’t paint well imo, I think laminate is the perfect solution for that. Just make sure to use spray 90 or the “heavy duty “ spray 90. Don’t use a knock off brand or it may be harder to stick to that OsB.
Very helpful.
A quick question: I have an Atari cabinet that was painted on top of the original factory laminate. Would you strip down to the wood or apply the new layer of laminate on top of the paint?
The problem with doing laminate on top is that you usually can’t trim it the same way as the sides. The router can’t go on the top all the way around. So if you’re going to put laminate on top, and you’re not going to take the cab apart, then you have to pre-cut the laminate exact to size and then place it. Or painting is fine on top. I have done both.
@@therexershow I actually mean at some point someone painted over the laminate (faux wood look) on the sides. So now there is the original MDF + laminate and paint.
Would you completely strip off the layer of laminate and paint which is now on the sides or just apply new laminate on the sides over top of what's there?
@@SavedByZero oh. I’d probabaly just apply new laminate. But if you can strip if off easily, do that.
@@therexershow Ok, thanks for the feedback. It's one of those things where once you start you're in for the long haul!
Quick question. Can I apply the laminate with my vinyl graphic on it and route the excess off after? Just wondering I’m not the best at trimming off the vinyl art by hand
No, you'll rip the vinyl when you trim with a router. Apply the viny graphics after you apply the laminate. Take an exacto knife to trim your vinyl off. It's simply to trim the vinly overhang off with an exacto knife.
Ideally in order to use vinyl you need to spray the cabinet with a gloss finish.
You suggest doing a prelim coat of any spray paint gloss finish? That helps the adhesive?
@@therexershow yes it does, as it gives a smooth even surface for the vinyl to stick to. I know MDF is smooth to a degree but if you use a gloss black for example the paint will fill the imperfections and small holes giving a more even surface.
So what mdf is best and how do u get designes for cabinets
Mdf is mdf , medium density fiberboard. It’s not particle board and it’s not plywood. All types of wood have their pros and cons but mdf is good for building and cutting at a reasonable price.
What size router bit are you using to cut the laminate? Are you using a bottom bearing bit
Terry Scott the measurements are 1/4 ; 1/4; 1/4, x 1.5 inch. I use Bosch UPC Code 0-00346-35183-5
@@therexershow thanks
Good idea but you can still see your screw holes, lumps. But im guessing if you sand it down more you wouldnt :)
I went quickly on this one because I'm putting full vinyl graphics over the top, but really not bumps once i flattened it really well and pressed it firm down. If you have lumps of glue you may get the lumps a little like you see in those shadows. Sanding better is always a good idea.
any tips for the thin edges?
Do you mean if the wood isn’t thick ? I usually work with 3/4 inch wide or 1/2 inch which allows for the router bit to have plenty of room hit the wood. If you’re using thin wood and the bit is cutting into the wood then my suggestion would be to get another piece of wood and clamp it to the bottom making the wood temporarily thicker . It would only work with straight cuts and you would have to keep placing the added wood in different spots. Or , just raise that trim bit perfectly to hit the wood and not cut in.
Does the low VOC adhesive work? In California we cannot get that spray
There are some other sprays that work well but I have always bought this one. Can you try Amazon to buy it from ? Don’t use the the Gorilla Glue branded spray , that one didn’t work well .
You can use any contact cement from lowes or home depot. Can spray on with a paint gun or roll or brush it on. Weldwood is the brand we have around here
I'm working on a Tempest UR restore at the moment. So would you suggest laying down white laminate before install the full vinyl side art?
Jason Brown 100% , it’s more expensive because you have to buy the laminate, but you will see how easy it is to apply the vinyl side art, you won’t have to sand the wood perfectly , you won’t have to worry about debris on the wood. You put the laminate over the sides, then wipe it clean, then start doing the art work and you’ll see how smooth and easy it goes on over the laminate.
@@therexershow Thinnest laminate I can find then?
Yes, I left a link in the description of what I use. You can find it cheaper on Amazon then Home Depot. You don’t have to have black either if you are doing full laminate, but I always use black. Just in case you want to pull off the laminate one day, you still have a nice black laminate on the cab. BE VERY CAREFUL with the rolled laminate, IT CRACKS EASILY , SO HANDLE WITH CARE, unroll it carefully and don’t bend it much.
How much for your services be plus your AWESOME
If you lived in Las Vegas i could help you out. Otherwise this is just a hobby for me.
@@therexershow here is my # 1 406 299 0266 i live in butte montana usa
Important quest...Do I have to prime or paint my MDF before I laminate my arcade cabinet?
Nope.
I'm tempted to not even use MDF, and go for a slim design. The bloody thing is not build to hold a CRT after all.I'm thinking a wood frame skinned with a tin but a good quality plywood that I can stain, and fiberglass. I may have watched too many DIY boat video...
Tons of options. Thanks for commenting and hope whatever way you do , it works out.
"Don't paint it. Laminating is bad too, it cracks. Just use vinyl wrap! Okay let's talk about today's second option, laminate, go all out it's worth it!" Haha jk thanks for the tips, I don't know what I'm doing.
Laminate only cracks if you’re not careful before you put it on. As you try each method you will see the pros and cons.
It's now $70. For a full size cabinet, would need 3 sheets. $210 is a ton of money for that.
Yeah. It’s getting expensive. Sometimes you can get away with 2 sheets especially if you just do the sides.
Wich wood you use?
That’s a question I ask a lot of people , but I use 3/4 mdf . You can use other types of plywood if you want but I feel mdf is very sturdy , easy to cut , and you can paint it if needed. There ar e a bunch of different opinions , some say MDO , some say melamine , but each have their advantages and disadvantages.
@@therexershow Thank you sir, most of the people agree wih the mdf.
Quick question how thick is that laminate they do not sell in stores by me but I may have found something I can use that is 1/8 inch for 16 bucks
1/8 of inch is way too thick. This is like 1/32 of an inch
Thank you found a guy that has a private stock for 25 bucks a sheet not black but gonna get coverd anyway with graphics and definitely love the video and also sup scribed a while ago!
Are you using MDO board?
ICO Cryptonite MDF 3/4 inch.
@@therexershow Have you ever tried MDO? I find it superior, MDO offers greater durability and more application options because of its strength. While similar, MDO contains more resin on the face, which contributes to its durability and suitability for use outside. MDO is also lighter than MDF for easier handling. When you cut MDO, it doesn't produce as much dust as MDF. MDO does cost more than MDF.
ICO Cryptonite that’s interesting. I’ll check it out next time I pick up wood. Haven’t used that before.
@@therexershow you will fall in love with it. I promise you. Now if we could get Hemp fiberboard it would be the best of all of them in every area.
Laminate is $70 now! and I will need 3 sheets for my Dynamo HS-5 =(
If you only do the sides and maybe top , you should be able to get away with 2 sheets. But yes the price went up. Sucks. I litrtally laminated my Track n field , both sides in 30 minutes and looks awesome so you have to weigh your time and painting supplies Vs the cost.
You bust a pa Your Buster paint your Arcade cabin
Uhh huh totally.
For a new build this is fine but NEVER restore a game like this
How come you say no? I just restored a Superman and did it. Sides were completely hack , painted , chipped , etc. it looks amazing. Did it with some others too.