Overlay peeling, clean up, write-up and my impressions

**Wondershock** · 04-26-2010, 10:12 PM

Hey everyone...

...I just recently had a VCI-100 overlay peeling problem and did a little write-up here:

http://dj.wondershock.com/?p=67

If you're having any problems with your overlay or cleaning up after it, definitely check it out. I go over how to remove the leftover adhesive, as in what chemicals to use, how to get the glue unlodged, etc. And I've got a few pictures with the process on there.

Hope it helps anyone who's had a problem with the overlays! I know they're awesome overlays, but sometimes you just have to start over clean slate...

**dafe** · 04-27-2010, 03:09 AM

Thanks for the article! My overlay is starting to peel quite badly now (starting peeling a little bit after just a few weeks), but I've been putting off doing anything about it.

Your article should be a big help

**ZachDero** · 04-27-2010, 10:54 AM

Nice! The one thing I would add is it can help speed up the process if you remove the faceplate entirely. This way you can apply the Goo gone liberally without any worries. If you watch the first part of the this video, it will walk you through disassembling the faceplate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6mdnDCg-O4 Sorry wondershock, I should have emailed you about that earlier to help save you some time.

**Wondershock** · 04-27-2010, 11:27 AM

D'oh, yeah, I should have looked a bit harder for that video... I knew one existed -somewhere-. I might just have to try my hand at disassembly to make sure all the fluid got cleaned out (but I doubt it will harm anything).

Thanks for the link, I'll be updating my post with that video included!

Edit: Damn, that's more involved than I thought (with the socket for all the knobs and whatnot). I'm divided as to whether it would be worth it to take the top plate completely off now... But yeah.. I'm gonna have to say it's probably worth it, and I will most likely do that next time.

**jthompsn** · 04-28-2010, 05:08 PM

Put on the new V3 overlay when it first came out. Got a bum one as well that started to peel. The dj techtools crew promptly and graciously sent forth a new overlay(righteous brothers!) to replace the peeler. New overlay sent wasn't for arcade edition. Waiting for V3 arcade edition overlay so I figured I would remove the old, this would be the 3rd overlay on the vci. Ran into the same gooey mess you did. Tried everything (I mean everything) to remove the blob like rubber cement mess. Went back to goo gone after reading your post. Getting some results now, very slow work as you also mentioned. Goo gone, cotton balls, small razor scraper. The upper area around the knobs and buttons is a real pain in the ass. Hope to be done by the weekend. Any tips for the button/knob areas, the terry cloth route did work for me? Thanks for the renewed confidence in goo gone, I was almost ready to give up and crazy glue the next overlay on for good! I new want to see my baby look like this again!

**ZachDero** · 04-28-2010, 07:36 PM

For really stubborn parts it's not a bad idea to take a hairdryer and heat up the glue. Also if you take off faceplate entirely running it under hot water helps too.

**Wondershock** · 04-29-2010, 08:09 AM

I never tried the hair dryer method, but I imagine that would help a lot if you can get the glue nice and hot.

Otherwise, I'd take something that you know wouldn't harm the surface (or if you don't care, something solid) that you can scrape between the buttons to break up the glue and get the goo-gone really in there.

What I did for the areas between the buttons was really just apply GG, wait, break up the glue with the plastic scraper, and smear off patiently... It's a huge pain in the ass (ESPECIALLY between those damned FX buttons) but with time it will pay off. Good luck!

**ZachDero** · 04-29-2010, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Wondershock

I never tried the hair dryer method, but I imagine that would help a lot if you can get the glue nice and hot.

Otherwise, I'd take something that you know wouldn't harm the surface (or if you don't care, something solid) that you can scrape between the buttons to break up the glue and get the goo-gone really in there.

What I did for the areas between the buttons was really just apply GG, wait, break up the glue with the plastic scraper, and smear off patiently... It's a huge pain in the ass (ESPECIALLY between those damned FX buttons) but with time it will pay off. Good luck!

Yeah the fx buttons are where it really pays to take the whole case off and run it under hot water. Then you can use a q-tip to get the remaining adhesive.

**jthompsn** · 04-29-2010, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by ZachDero

Yeah the fx buttons are where it really pays to take the whole case off and run it under hot water. Then you can use a q-tip to get the remaining adhesive.

yeah, the arcade buttons pretty much make that a huge pain in the ass!