The site now moves too slow for me..Upgraded to move slow WTF!!
Note:...
This overlay is too thin to use any kind of drill on..It'll rip it apart...(i'd say you really ned some sort of expensive set-up to do it..Just poking a hole in it causes a seperation...The vibration from the drill with lift the whole plastic off.
The plastic that covers the film is no thicker then I'd say..something you would find packaged in clear plastic,a toy for instance.
But,
It's a rubbery based plastic that stretches a bit...sort of like a zip lock bag but a lot stronger.
As soon as you poke a hole in it you get separation..(it bleeds)
Stops bleeding if held and when you stop cutting.
I placed a small door hole drill over the hole to be made for the joysticks since I had to cut a bigger hole and could chance messing up..Nah,not happening..It will destroy this..the separation caused will ruin the overlay.
The cutting has to be done slow and patiently.
If not..,It'll rip up the film underneath and totally remove the above plastic.
It reminds me of something vacuum packed/laminated whereas once you poke a hole you let in air and get separation..
it starts to spread as you cut.
If you can have something heavy to hold down around the edges while you cut the circle/holes it keep the separation to a minimum..if not keep it together.
I put both of them on a very clean shelf board that was the size of the overlays..
I resorted to using a very pointy/sharp surgical tool looking blade/knife for crafts..
It cuts through like butter..but you need to cut fast.
What I did is take the old overlay,lay it on top of this one and draw the outlines of the holes with a fine tipped black marker.
Then I cut in the center of those outlines(taking it off the board).. to keep the holes smaller for the new smaller type buttons..(came out perfect) the metal control panel allows for slack when putting in the buttons..It's the overlay that needs to be matched.
If you are not crafty with your hands then I'd say don't even attempt it yourself.
For the joysticks I cut the holes much smaller so the Joystick covers-cover up the holes and don't get caught up.
(perfect)
The LED lights show through fine..but make sure to line the old LED squares up since this new overlay is a bit smaller.
I have some separation around the buttons..I don't thinks it's possible to not get this separation since the buttons are so close.
What I mean by separation is the top layer of clear plastic is coming up from/off the film whereas the film underneath is dull and the clear plastic being stuck to it gives a shiny effect.
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I think I may have a cure for the separation...
.... I will test some things out later in time when I paint the Control panel and take this overlay back off.
I'd say something like a clear glue or..and suggestions....
I need to just get the plastic to stick on the film again,understand.
No matter..It looks good compared to banged up old control panel overlay.
I'd only do this if you know what your doing and really need this overlay.
All in all this sucker still is very sturdy,the film is fairly thick,that being the harder part to cut and causes the separation.
I can't scratch the plastic with my nail etc..it'll take a beaten..
I would not buy this in the Red color design since you can get the pre-cut lexan overlays.
I can't seem to get a clear picture of the separation since the plastic is clear and you really have to stare at the control panel to notice...No-one who has seen it so far has noticed...
(((I'd say if you are anal about this you may not want to even take it on if you think it's going to bother you..))
(Or have it cut by someone)
I'm freaken happy with it..Damn that overlay being new really brings new life to that cab...
All I've been thinking about is painting the CP now..
I hate this VB code mumbo jumbo. I wish this forum used HTML.
