How to Paint a MAME Cabinet
A MAME cabinet is an arcade-style video game unit. Painting a MAME cabinet is a complex process involving several stages of preparation. Because arcade cabinets are plastic, they won't take a painted finish unless properly prepared. Sand an arcade game cabinet to promote adhesion, or the finish won't properly adhere. Apply a sticky, stain-blocking primer to promote thorough coverage or you may be forced to add coat after coat of paint. Prime and paint the arcade cabinet using a polyester brush or ugly, noticeable brushstrokes will show in the finish.
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Things You'll Need
- Water-based degreasing soap
- Coarse nylon pad
- Rags
- 180-grit sandpaper
- Mineral spirits
- Masking paper
- Professional painter's tape
- Canvas drop cloths
- Shellac primer
- 3-inch china paintbrush
- Denatured alcohol
- Dust mask
- 300-grit sandpaper
- Acrylic enamel
- 3-inch polyester paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Wash the MAME cabinet with a degreasing soap, using a rough nylon pad. Rinse the arcade cabinet with wet rags. Let the MAME cabinet dry for two hours.
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2
Sand the arcade cabinet with 180-grit sandpaper until it feels rough; this will promote adhesion.
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3
Wipe down those areas of the cabinet you plan to paint using a rag dampened with mineral spirits. Let the cabinet dry for 30 minutes.
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4
Cover every part of the arcade cabinet that is to remain unpainted, using masking paper and a low-tack tape. Cover the surrounding floor with canvas drop cloths.
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5
Coat the video game cabinet with shellac primer using a china brush. Let the arcade cabinet dry for two hours. Wash the china brush with clean mineral spirits.
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6
Put on a dust mask. Sand the arcade cabinet with 300-grit sandpaper until it feels slightly rough.
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7
Coat the MAME cabinet with acrylic enamel with a polyester brush. Let the arcade cabinet dry for two hours. Wash the polyester brush with clean water.
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