Aero City control box surround overlay application

[benime]

Has anyone applied one of these and have any tips? I've already ruined one and I was slow and careful with it.

Made several incisions in the backing so I could stick it down in sections but still managed to end up with a wrinkle that I couldn't correct and ended up having to scrap the whole overlay.

 

[Kavas]

I did recently.

The only problem I had was the bottom part where your wrist sits. The overlay asks that you fold it underneath and stick to the bottom all the way around. However the the wrist section is especially tricky because it folds back even more due to the bend in the metal, causing the blue part to stretch and distort the graphic. Plus if you don't get it right the first time the adhesive wont be as strong. I had to use some 2-part epoxy to further stick it on then quickly bolt it to the CP frame so that it could sit. If you don't do it right the wrist section will bubble and make an irritating noise during play.

The overlay is pretty thick so you shouldn't end up with wrinkles.

I will do a write up about it when I post in my cabinet thread in more detail.

 

[nem]

Ugh, I'm dreading doing mine.

 

[benime]

Yeah that bend at the bottom is a real pain in the ass and absolutely will distort because of the printed Lexan material.

Regarding the wrinkle, I'm not sure how it happened since I thought I had it aligned well along the top and Blue side, but along the bottom and White side, as I was starting to stick it down I noticed it was producing a bubble I could not flatten out.

It's probably for the best since I also learned that you do not want to apply it over anything but white paint. Anything else will show right through and alter the color of the white portion (primer, metal, etc.)

 

[Aurich]

Google wet decal application, that's how you avoid bubbles and wrinkles like that.

 

[BanishingFlatsAC]

If you're getting your art printed on anything other then bubble free vinyl, you're doing it wrong.

 

[benime]

If you're getting your art printed on anything other then bubble free vinyl, you're doing it wrong.

Not my art. https://gateninety.com/product/sega-aero-city-surround-cpo-sticker/

Google wet decal application, that's how you avoid bubbles and wrinkles like that.

Everything I see regarding this only pertains to vinyl and not something like this (reverse printed Lexan). Do you know if it can also be applied wet without negative impact?

 

[BanishingFlatsAC]

The panel surround sticker is out there for free. Download the file and have someone like Szabo or GoG print it. The original is not a polycarb but a gloss vinyl.

The air release vinyl is amazing to work with.

 

[Aurich]

Everything I see regarding this only pertains to vinyl and not something like this (reverse printed Lexan). Do you know if it can also be applied wet without negative impact?

Can't see how it matters, the whole point of the wet method is working with the adhesive, giving you the flexibility to shift it to work things out before it sets, the material being vinyl or Lexan seems somewhat irrelevant. But that said, no, I don't actually know, never done it, so I could be full of shit.

Just seems to me if your problem was a wrinkle you couldn't get out that a wet method is the answer to allow you to fix that sort of thing during application.

But here's a better idea: why not ask the people who sold it? You'd think they'd have some advice and experience with the material if it's not standard.

 

[RealMFnG]

I have. Well, me my buddy tackled his Aero together. In any case, we apply using a 100% distilled water in a spray bottle and 3 drops of Johnson's Baby Shampoo (no perfume additives, just pure soap). One of our buddies makes a healthy living wrapping clear coating on exotic cars and we borrowed this technique from that application. Others use Rapidtac for CPO's, which is a commercial product. But a DIY mix works just as well. You'll need a silicon squeegie to edge out the moisture. Videos on Youtube on how to do this.

 

[benime]

Everything I see regarding this only pertains to vinyl and not something like this (reverse printed Lexan). Do you know if it can also be applied wet without negative impact?

Can't see how it matters, the whole point of the wet method is working with the adhesive, giving you the flexibility to shift it to work things out before it sets, the material being vinyl or Lexan seems somewhat irrelevant. But that said, no, I don't actually know, never done it, so I could be full of shit.
Just seems to me if your problem was a wrinkle you couldn't get out that a wet method is the answer to allow you to fix that sort of thing during application.

But here's a better idea: why not ask the people who sold it? You'd think they'd have some advice and experience with the material if it's not standard.

I don't want you to think I'm not grateful, I'm asking because I genuinely needed help. When you said to Google it, all I could find were results pertaining to cut vinyl decals. To me that's something very different, but I don't work in a print shop and have no experience with this type of thing, which is why I asked.

Anyway, yeah I could have asked the seller, but they're based in Belgium so there could be a language barrier, or who knows how long it would take to respond or whether I'd get a good response. To me, it's just easier to ask here since there's a larger base of knowledge to draw upon. Also, as we saw in the thread, there are others who have these questions, too, so I'm not the only one who benefits.

I have. Well, me my buddy tackled his Aero together. In any case, we apply using a 100% distilled water in a spray bottle and 3 drops of Johnson's Baby Shampoo (no perfume additives, just pure soap). One of our buddies makes a healthy living wrapping clear coating on exotic cars and we borrowed this technique from that application. Others use Rapidtac for CPO's, which is a commercial product. But a DIY mix works just as well. You'll need a silicon squeegie to edge out the moisture. Videos on Youtube on how to do this.

Thank you for confirming, I really appreciate it!

 

[RealMFnG]

Thank you for confirming, I really appreciate it!

No problem. Let me know how it goes. Post some pics. I've bought lots of stuff from Gate Ninety myself. He does good work and for very good prices. Was asking him to expand his portfolio. Getting ready to apply a NAC CPO this week.

 

[Kavas]

Uploaded a video on my Aero city thread going over my cabinet, and a lookat my CP overlay with some tips:

Kavas' Sega Aero City Restoration

 

[hoagtech]

Has anyone applied one of these and have any tips? I've already ruined one and I was slow and careful with it.

Made several incisions in the backing so I could stick it down in sections but still managed to end up with a wrinkle that I couldn't correct and ended up having to scrap the whole overlay.

If I ever restore my parts Aero. I will mark the underside where it folds under the bottom of the CP and bend the sticker slightly then place a book and a cinder block on top.

have a crease there before application seems like a must.

I am really happy with the quality from gate-ninety. They are the thickest stickers Ive peeled.