So I’m having a problem with my VLX. Beneath the dust washer, the plexi has been scratched in a sort of circular pattern. It looks more like smudges that can’t come out. Took me a bit to figure it out, but I’m 99% sure its from the botton of the plastic washer rubbing against the plexi continually. I can’t think of any other explanation because I don’t think its the glue of the sticker coming off. I press and that area should change a bit if it is coming loose but i believe its actually ON the plexi itself.
So as a solution for this, tomorrow I’m going to Michaels and getting some thin sheets of black sticky felt. Basically my plan is to try and turn my washer into a coaster lol. I’m going to put some gorilla glue on the bottom of the washer and then place it on the sticky side of the felt. Then wait, cut and replace.
the idea is that the felt will be thin enough not to be noticeable (especially if I cut it a little but further in past the edge) and work as a coaster would on top of a nice wood varish or glass table. Hopefully the felt won’t harm the plexiglass anymore than the plastic of the washer and keep the smudgelike circular scratching from getting any worse. Although it won’t cover the entire area, it will eventually start to show over the entire 360 degrees the stick turns. Basically wherever the washer touches.
Anyone else having this same problem? Maybe go take a look at your stick beneath the black plastic washer and see if you know what I mean. If anyone else has any other more elegant solutions than my felt sticky paper trick then please share.
Personally I wouldn’t care if there was a tiny horse dick under my dust washer as no one would ever see it. Also I bought my VLX to play on, not display in a museum.
laudanum, that should work fine. I usually put a foam washer under the plastic washer when I’m working on other people’s sticks, so I can test them without scratching a new stick surface. It’s definitely the washer. If it bothers you, then just do the felt material. Otherwise you can use a wax paper. Both should achieve similar results.
Chad, you may not see it, but you know it’s there. I suppose you like tiny horse dick under your hands. I don’t think everyone agrees.
No matter what, if the stick has open space under, you’ll still get that hollow feeling. Rest assured, the VLX is solid and it feels tons better than the HRAP 3. I think it’s something you’ll have to get used to if you don’t like the sound, but it’s normal on all sticks.
The construction on the VLX is about 60% metal and 40% plastic or vice versa. The back construction and the sides are plastic where the front and plate is made from metal. You’ll naturally get a tinny feel from this for sure because of the construction and the usual amount of room Hori usual houses in the center of the their sticks(HRAP3 and HRAP V3/VX).
As for the dust washer scratching the stick, meh, I have that covered since mine has a vinyl graphic over it
thanks for the advice, good to know about the felt/wax paper.
and to the horse dick guy, I use my VLX everyday for hours. I just don’t feel like treating it like it’s a 100 dollar stick because it’s not. Tiny scratches and dings do matter on a stick this expensive and nice.
It all depends on how much you care about this shit. Scratches and dings can matter on a $50 stick. It doesn’t matter the price. Some people are anal about that kind of stuff.
I don’t care personally. I also have 7 VLX sticks. So that’s probably why. lol.
Hi James, ya I know what hollow sound you’re talking about. Between a HRAP3 & a TE, it’s much more noticeable in a HRAP. I was just hoping that tin & hollow sound isn’t amplified w/a VLX due to it’s sheer size.
As I mentioned above, the VLX will have the most tinny sound to it since it’s mostly constructed out of metal. The TE stick is a plastic case with a bezel and then the main face piece giving it the least tinny sound where the HRAP3 and V3 are almost the same.
If you want study-ness and quiet stick, get a Qanba Q3/Q2 RAF, wood case with a thick plexi-glass makes no sound at all.
I’ve had a HRAP3-SA in the past & a V3-SA (sold to Jamespoop) so I can say from 1st-hand experience the tin & hollow feeling (when depressing a button) is much more noticeable in the HRAP3-SA. I barely even notice it (if at all) in the V3-SA. I wasn’t talking about the tin sound, just the feeling when depressing a button. Although I do plan on getting a Qanba Q3 eventually b/c I like the idea of a wooden stick w/Sanwa products.
LOL about the music, thx James!
I guess what I’m trying to ask is the tin & hollow feeling (not sound) in a VLX more similar to a HRAP3 (noticeable) or V3-SA (barely noticeable)? Thx!
Yep. It works. PS3 owner here (although I use a MCC now).
@d3v That’s gorgeous. Do single-player Sega City control panels not exist, or do they only come in pairs? Seems like a waste to not take advantage of the stick’s length and make a symmetrical design on both ends.
Well I decided I didn’t want to wait and I bought it now. I can’t wait to give it a try. Since I just bought it I imagine it will go on sell in a few days as thats how my luck goes.
