Quoted from MustangPaul:Maybe if the diffuser were a clear pebbley pattern like the old red original ones. I have 3 of those and it diffuses the light really nice and the color is still really nice and transparent red.
It's a good thought, and I did try a few patterns like that, but couldn't get the result I was looking for. Might keep looking for some better examples.
TimeBandit - on my PopCaps; I use a matte, frosted plastic as a "undercap" which helps to diffuse the light.
You might want to see if your manufacturer can source the matte. Example:
http://www.regal-plastics.com/regalfrost.html
Quoted from Zitt:TimeBandit - on my PopCaps; I use a matte, frosted plastic as a "undercap" which helps to diffuse the light.
You might want to see if your manufacturer can source the matte. Example:
http://www.regal-plastics.com/regalfrost.html
Thanks for the link Zitt. Quite a bit of dev time has already gone into choosing the material. All sorts of frosteds and matts, one sided, two sided were tried, and the issue was always that the large surface area of an apron just can't get enough diffusion out of a matte surface. You have to go for the opalescent or translucent to really spread it out. But I'm also not locked into any choice for a stupid amount of material (there were some variants where I had to order a ton (literally) to get the finish I wanted...um, no), so I can keep trying materials as they pop up.
Quoted from Zitt:TimeBandit - on my PopCaps; I use a matte, frosted plastic as a "undercap" which helps to diffuse the light.
You might want to see if your manufacturer can source the matte. Example:
http://www.regal-plastics.com/regalfrost.html
A matching color diffuser like that would look great. Just put more leds under it. 
Awaiting the apron to arrive I just finished the leds below it. A programmable RGB ledstrip 5050 hooked to 12V and some serious leds connected to the sparky flashers
So let it come 
Quoted from Rensh:Awaiting the apron to arrive I just finished the leds below it. A programmable RGB ledstrip 5050 hooked to 12V and some serious leds connected to the sparky flashers
So let it come
Sounds good have to post some vid. I hope it's a clear apron. 
Service update.. I have tested the playfield lift using hot glue to install the diffuser or clear lift panel. It is fine. I had previously thought that using a bonding cement would help with the integrity of the structure, but it turns out the stress is relieved by the second panel even without any adhesive.
Therefore, use a NON PERMANENT bond for your panel. You will then be able to change panels, and even get your own cut from material you like.
Just bumped into this thread and did not read it all... are these already for sale?
PS: sorry for my laziness.....
Quoted from AlexSMendes:Just bumped into this thread and did not read it all... are these already for sale?
PS: sorry for my laziness.....
www.redshiftled.com.au/new-store.php#!/Plastic-Stuff/c/19440026/offset=0&sort=normal
Guess what showed up in the mail today 
As I already did some quick and dirty leds easy install now. Well packed nicely finished product.
Remarks/comments :
1) would be nice if it would come with the required screws. Had some lying around so no issue but would be great finishing touch
2) like for the moment the clear version the most and didn't install the diffuser. I did try it ofcourse. So advise would be always to order also a clear panel and not only diffuser. I have to be careful now in lifting the playfield 
3) when ball goes via right out lane it barely fits. Had to set the outline guides max up and than just fits
Overall a great product for its price but must admit I slightly prefer the stern version as this is a good compromise between clear and diffuse. Clear shows the playfield very clearly and with stern this is less. With the diffuser you don't see the playfield but the color is less vivid. Sorry
But again, great product and would buy again without hesistation
Quoted from Rensh:Guess what showed up in the mail today
As I already did some quick and dirty leds easy install now. Well packed nicely finished product.
Remarks/comments :
1) would be nice if it would come with the required screws. Had some lying around so no issue but would be great finishing touch
2) like for the moment the clear version the most and didn't install the diffuser. I did try it ofcourse. So advise would be always to order also a clear panel and not only diffuser. I have to be careful now in lifting the playfield
3) when ball goes via right out lane it barely fits. Had to set the outline guides max up and than just fits
Overall a great product for its price but must admit I slightly prefer the stern version as this is a good compromise between clear and diffuse. Clear shows the playfield very clearly and with stern this is less. With the diffuser you don't see the playfield but the color is less vivid. Sorry
But again, great product and would buy again without hesistation
Looks great. Since you have the diffuser you could use it as a template and see it you can find some clear diffusing plastic and cut that and try it.
Showed some pictures and movie to some friends and they selected diffuser as the best so might give it another try.
It's not ugly or nice, choose nice or nicer is the matter here
Thanks for update Rens! By screws missing, do you mean the main mounting bolts or for the feet at the front? There is a hardware baggy in there with mounting screws and spacers for the front brackets if you are going to use them.
Sorry, checked triple but no hardware bag
I already wondered about the front. My AC/DC premium has there metal lips which hold it down. Now the front end is a little loose and even with a diffuser I don't dare to lift the playfield at the apron
Also my friends likes the diffuser more so installed that with just a couple of screws beneath the apron cards where they are invisible. If I dislike it after all I'm the future I can easily remove it
Made a video befor and after of some gameplay. To be uploaded later on
Quoted from Rensh:Video uploaded
» YouTube video
Dude, that looks insane! Nice job. 
Not sure what happened with hardware. It's taped to the outside of the plain plastic wrapping around the apron. I guess there may be packaging errors from time to time, but just as a note to others, it does come with mounting hardware.
I like the screw mounting of the diffuser! Never even occurred to me to do that.
Quoted from Rensh:Another tip. I had the 'problem' that the ball would rest on the small gap between the metal post and the apron in the right Outlane. Solved this with a small superband I had lying around
And after a day I decided I preferred the diffuser above clear after all
Your apron seems to be sitting a long way forward. Can you show how it's mounted? Get a pic with the playfield up? Here is the position the front face should be sitting in..
Quoted from Rensh:Now the front end is a little loose and even with a diffuser I don't dare to lift the playfield at the apron
Correct. Do not lift the playfield by the apron if the front is not secured. You wouldn't do this even with a metal apron. It would bend at the back edge.
Quoted from MustangPaul:Looks great. Since you have the diffuser you could use it as a template and see it you can find some clear diffusing plastic and cut that and try it.
Paul, Do you have one yet? Would love to see one in person before I order.
Clear lift panels are now in stock.
http://redshiftled.com.au/new-store.php#!/Coloured-and-Tinted-Aprons/c/20884012/offset=0&sort=normal
Reminder regarding mounting hardware. I include rear mounting screws and nuts, and spacers to lift up the front mounting brackets if you are going to use them. I don't supply the front brackets. There is no point, just grab them from pinball life or the like.
http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=2015
If you are installing in a machine that already has these brackets, then just take out the screws, place my spacer under each one and reinsert the screws.
Quoted from foxtj24:Paul, Do you have one yet? Would love to see one in person before I order.
No, all my Stern games have chromed or powder coated LE aprons except my Refinery Met Pro and Mustang Pro which have the pebbly clear red aprons.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Gold added to the lineup if anyone cares..
It screams TotAN!
Quoted from PeterG:Can these also be made without the cut outs for the card holders? (upon request).
Yes. I can do a run without cutouts. One colour needs 14 to get done and I will run it through with a normal batch. Not sure how to do the ordering, how about a few nominations for which color then I can take pms for an order?
Quoted from dmbjunky:Why is the arch of the center sticker off? No big deal but I went back and looked at your Spidey pics and arch matched the sticker.
There is a slight difference in the centre radius compared to premium aprons to allow for the square centre decals on pro aprons. The front edge in the centre of pro aprons is square and a lot higher up than the premium aprons. All are the same though. Decal placing and lighting probably just makes it more obvious in these last pics.
Quoted from stpcore:Did you get the color purple dialed in for Ghostbusters Premium? I'm ready to order when you do.
I think I've found it. Next run.
just ordered the Red Tint for AC/DC thanks 
Added over 7 years ago: all arrived safely, even though the box look like it had been 'kicked around' the sorting office.
thanks again.
Quoted from swinks:nice touch, the card bulging bugged me to the point that I designed and just received my first sample - a card holder for the Stern Steel apron so the card sits perfectly flat. I will have to get myself one of these aprons as well, these are very cool.
Are you selling these yet Swinks?
Here are some pics to further illustrate the use of Stern arch brackets to secure the front edge of my aprons if you insist on using the apron to lift your playfield (and have a lift panel installed of course!).
These are the factory arch brackets that hold down the front of the apron on my LOTR. The spacers that I supply go underneath these brackets to lift them 3mm.
As mentioned earlier in the thread, I don't supply the brackets. They are a commodity item you can get from many parts suppliers. If you have a machine that doesn't use these already you will need to align them and screw them into your playfield, just like the older factory ones were.
Of course, the photos have loaded in reverse order of installation, but you get the idea.
IMG20161103204305 (resized).jpg
IMG20161103204327 (resized).jpg
IMG20161103204320 (resized).jpg
IMG20161103204151 (resized).jpg
IMG20161103204119 (resized).jpg
IMG20161103204142 (resized).jpg
IMG20161103203950 (resized).jpg
IMG20161103203735 (resized).jpg
And how the bracket will sit in the slot on your apron..
IMG20161103211223 (resized).jpg
By the way, for fun, because to probably haven't seen it often, this is what a LOTR shooterlane with 350 plays on it looks like. 
Hi Mike,
I received my 2 Aprons well packaged, and arriving safely!
They simply are stunning, and I have creative thoughts playing around now....Very well made,
and very good value for this!
Tron looks phenomenal with the Blue Apron!
A quick question, just to confirm Im not missing anything....zero hardware ships with the aprons?
Quoted from OLDPINGUY:Hi Mike,
I received my 2 Aprons well packaged, and arriving safely!
They simply are stunning, and I have creative thoughts playing around now....Very well made,
and very good value for this!
Tron looks phenomenal with the Blue Apron!
A quick question, just to confirm Im not missing anything....zero hardware ships with the aprons?
Look out everyone he's getting ideas again. 
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/coloured-and-tinted-aprons/page/5 and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.
Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.
Sydney, Oz
Austin, TX
Hornchurch
