I opted in for the black melamine version, as I thought in case the artwork would have issues a black background would be best to deal with.

As mentioned in „The Very Beginning“ the whole kit was very well packed with lots of bouble wrap and even a custom wooden box for the huge side panels.

So in terms of packaging A+++! Well done!

Contents of the Kit:

• Plastic blocks to mount the panels together
• Screws
• Plexi glass panel for the screen
• Plexi glass panel for the marquee
• predrilled Controls Panel (Attention: the mounting holes for the sticks will not fit the Ultimarc Mag Stick Plus, I had to learn that the hard was 😉 )
• 2 side panels
• 1 top panel
• 1 speaker panel (opening for the speakers are pre drilled and  on the inside there is a reduction for mounting the speakers
• 1 lower front panel (thats where your coin acceptor goes)
• 1 front panel below control panel
• 1 panel bottom control panel
• 1 panel for the floor
• 2 back panels, lower panel has pre milled opening for air flow
• Code for instruction from their website

The manual for building the Cab is available on the BitCade website, however it is heavily watermarked. Once you receive your Kit the package includes a password/code to access a more readable PDF with less watermarks.
Due to copyright reasons I will use the publicly available manual as a reference. If you have any questions let me know, and I’ll try to help you out.

The instructions are pretty much straight forwars, just like an IKEA manual 🙂 However I strongly suggest that you go through it several times and familiarise yourself with the steps. The manual itself does not cover applying the artworks, buttons or monitor. It will only give you recommendations at what point you should do certain things.

My start was applying the vinyl artwork on the respective panels. This was a rather steep learning curve. I suggest you get the following tools to help you through the process:

• Extremly sharp scalpell (switch blades once they get numb!)
• Window cleaner (guess alcohol should be in there)
• A roll of paper towels
• microfiber towel
• a scraper
• a lot of patience
• possibly a 3rd and 4th hand

First of all clean the panel on both sides with paper towels and window cleaner, there is still a lot of saw dust on them. However be careful! the MDF material is very sensitive to liquids and can easily swell!

Once boths sides are cleaned turn the panel to the proper side is on top (usually the side with no predrilled holes). Apply window cleaner all over the place and get your vinyl. Depending on the size of the vinyl you should get someone to help you. Partially tear off the protective sheet and apply window cleaner on the glue side. Once the protective sheet has come off completly try to aling the vinyl to the panel. If you have applied enough windows cleaner you will be able to slighty move around the vinyl on the panel. But again be careful where the liquid flows! The MDF will quickly swell!

Once you are in the perfect position get your scraper and the microfiber cloth, wrap it around the scraper (perhaps add some window cleaner as well) and strike with the scraper from the middle of the vinyl to the outsides. Be carefull! All excess windows cleaner will squirt out at the borders and needs to be immediately picked up with a paper towel to avoid swelling of the material. Depending on the size of the vinyl you will still be able to move the vinly around, however for corrections this may be good, but on smaller vinyls you might accidentaly move it out of position.

Once you have removed all the liquid below the vinyl with your scraper try to look at it again in different angles. You will notice some bubbles that need more scraping. Now let it rest for a day to allow the window cleaner to dry.