Make you own ColecoVision Overlays

[+Yurkie]

I think there may be an interest here for people that would like to make replica overlays, overlays for games that could benefit from them but don't have them or homebrews.

 

I'll share with you my method for overlays. This is how I made the overlays for My Mario Bros. Controller set and a new one for Quest for Quintana Roo

 

1. Take your image with 9 overlays...then mirror it. (9 fit on 8 1/2" X 11" sheet)

2. Convert the file to a .pdf

3. take it to a print shop and have it printed on transparency film ( Office Max does it for about $2 a sheet)

4. take the transparency sheet (spray adhesive on printed side) and a sheet of regular printer paper and spray 3M Super 77 Multipurpose adhesive on both.

5. Let both cure for 30 seconds then flip the transparency over onto the paper

6. starting from one side use a craft roller to tightly bond the 2 pieces together and insure that there is no air bubbles.

7. Very carefully cut each out by hand with nice sharp scissors.

8. Slide into your controller and enjoy.

 

The paper backing makes it so that you don't see the keypad numbers thru the overlay.

This adhesive works fantastic and I spent a lot of money finding a good bonding agent. Not just any old glue will do.

 

Since the toner is on the backside of the transparency film and paper is protecting it, you don't have to worry about it scraping off.

 

If you wanted to get fancy you could get a Klic-N_Kut and program it to cut them out. This cutter could also be used to cut out and score homebrew boxes.

[+pboland]

That looks good Yurkie. That would make it feel just like an original. Great method.

 

You could always try my poor man method:

 

Print your overlay on photo (not glossy) paper (heavy weight or card stock) and cover them with clear packaging tape. It is a very similar method to how I print cart labels. It works great. Just make sure you work the tape into the paper. You can do that with your craft roller or place a sheet protector over the overlay and using the butt of a pair of scissors, rub over it to push the tape into the surface. Then just cut them out. It should look and feel very similar to an original. That is how I use to make my INTV overlays.

[DickNixonArisen]

Nice! I was fortunate enough to buy 100+ intv overlays cheap, but only a few CV ones. Did most titles use them, or were some companies more likely to make them than others?

 

Not a 5200 fan, but the idea of keeping the overlay sort of inside the cart helped more of them stay with their games over time.

[+Yurkie]

Nice! I was fortunate enough to buy 100+ intv overlays cheap, but only a few CV ones. Did most titles use them, or were some companies more likely to make them than others?

 

Not a 5200 fan, but the idea of keeping the overlay sort of inside the cart helped more of them stay with their games over time.

 

There are only about a dozen or so ColecoVision games that have overlays. I am sure there is a list somewhere. There are also some Super Action Controller overlays which are shaped differently.

[purenergy]

Very nice Yurkie!

[DickNixonArisen]

Ah, that explains why I haven't found many. The few that I do have are for the super action, although I of course noted the slot on the regular controller

[+Yurkie]

Bump. Since there is a new thread about it.

[Hakogame 箱亀]

I wonder if a coat of white acrylic spray paint would hold up to some abuse? Might make a more authentic overlay than using paper.