Playfield Overlay Installation
This was my first foray into using a playfield overlay. On most of my other games I was able to touch up the playfield paint and then clear-coat the playfields. However, this Space Invaders, like so many of them, was severely worn in the center of the playfield. There was a huge, softball sized wear spot down to the wood. Also, there were other wear spots in which the previous owner just filled in with black paint (see pic on right). The artwork on this game is way too detailed for me to recreate so I decided to go with a playfield overlay. There are a couple of videos and online pages that can help when doing this such as here, here (excellent video), and and here, (another good video). My suggestion is to research as much as possible before doing this. Below is how I did it with some explanation as to how and why. In the end, my installation turned out surprisingly well with no issues.
Note that I bought my overlay and then the overlay sat for over 5 years before I used it. I kept it in its original shipping container. It was rolled up in a cardboard tube. So, that alone worried me as I began the process. I had two worries. First, would the glue have lost some of its “stickiness” over time? Second, having stayed rolled up so long, could I get it “flat” enough for installation? As I stated, the installation went well and it has held up with no issues at the time of this writing (2 months of use).
Decisions In Installing the Overlay
- Should I Use An Overlay? For me this was an easy decision as the playfield wear was so extensive and the art so detailed that I would not be able to do it myself. If you are a very talented artist, you might be able to pull it off. But even then, painting on the playfield is difficult. It is one thing to have the ability to create the artwork on a canvas. It is quite another to paint it onto the playfield.
- Install the overlay using the WET or DRY method? This is the biggest question people have when installing the overlays. From what I have read, the opinions are split about evenly between the two methods. I opted for the dry method. Here is a brief description of the two methods and the pros and cons of each.
- Wet Method: The wet method refers to using a “wetting” agent that you spray on the playfield as you are applying the overlay. This allows you to reposition it after you lay it down. Once in position, you then have to squeegee all of the bubbles and water out from under overlay. The advantage to this method is that you have some forgiveness if you don’t apply it correctly. The disadvantage is that it can be difficult to get all of the water and bubbles out. This will in turn cause issues down the road.
- Dry Method: With the dry method, you position the overlay and then just peel the protective layer away and lay down the overlay. The disadvantage is that if you do not lay it down evenly, accidentally drop it or something else happens, it is difficult to reposition without damaging the overly. The advantage is that you do not need to squeegee out water though you will still burnish out some air bubbles. From what I have read online, those who have had issues with overlays, it was due to not getting all of the water out. With the dry method, this isn't a concern.
- My Professional Artist Friend's Advice: I have a friend who is a professional artist in the sign business. In fact, he helped me fix my mistake when painting the cabinet (see here). I asked him which method he would use. He said that in his experience, his company always applied any overlays they did using the dry method. He said they tend to adhere better that way. The key is to make sure you take your time and get it right the first time. So, I decided to do it “like the pros,” without the pros experience!
Go to the next page for detailed steps in installing the overlay.
