In Star Wars: X-Wing 1.0 a lot of people were talking about spray coating the maneuver dials since the maneuver side rubbing as the wheel spun. Others put a small washer to separate the two dials just slightly. And some did both.

Since the maneuver is on the outside and no longer rubbing against another dial several times in a game it will see quite a bit less wear.

Do we still need to do this? Is anyone coating their dials?

Thank you,

A worn dial is a good thing. I've yet to wear through my TIE fighter dials I had for around 5 years in 1.0.

I have seen people use a clear glaze, which works as long as its not put on heavily. A few thin coats and they look great! (get a semi gloss or matte, not full gloss coating)

100%

I did my dials and ship tokens. Probably not a bad idea to do your templates as well if you're going to stick with the cardboard and not get some pimped out acrylic ones.

You can get a cheap can of Krylon brand spray from a Wal-Mart for like $5 and have enough in there to pretty much do all your cardboard.

Even with the new dials, your greasy oily thumbs are going to be wearing that new dial down for another 5-6 years of play on your favourite ship.

Ultimately it's not hurting you to do it and takes pretty much no time out of your day other than the dry time. Just get a wire rack or something to put them on, like a cheap dollar store desk organizer or something, spray them somewhere away from humidity (like not outside on a sticky summer day), like a garage, where you can keep it overnight to dry. If you don't put a thin washer between the two halves, they might stick initially from the spray coat, but you can easily break them in again by giving them a good spin.

Been playing since wave 1. Never coated my dials in any way, they all looked and worked fine right up until I boxed them up a few weeks ago for 2.0. Mine were all stored in such a way that they did not move around in my case. My friend who started at the same time and played FAR less has a ring or wear around all of his dials from them constantly rattling around loose in his case.

Lesson: good storage is more important. And it isn't play that wears them out.

I think the early cardboard of 1.0 was more prone to wear. You can see the difference in the finish if you hold them up to the light.

Hopefully 2.0 cardboard has a similarly durable finish.

I still use a matte finishing spray on my dials. The people who have the most issues with wear use sweaty thumbs on the flat surface to rotate the dial. People who twist from the edges don’t have the same kind of wear.

Well. I have to disagree here on a couple things.

Just as sort of a " consider the following" type of deal.

1. I'm certain it is play that wears out the cardboard because the 1 forward turns white from barrel rolling a lot. And the edges turn white on dials that get a lot of use.

2.i think the new dials are likely to wear out in a worse way because they are inside out. Now the part that will get touched and spun more is facing the finger with the maneuvres.

I expect the actual maneuver choices to wear out with these ones. Maybe not so bad as to make them unusable. But...that seems to be the spot that is getting most of the finger.

anyways...just some thoughts.

Carry on.

I use laminating film to protect the maneuver side of my dials. I work in a sign shop so I just run leftover film through the plotter to make pre-cut dial protectors. I’m sure you can find a local vinyl shop who would be willing to do something similar for you if you want an alternative to spray varnish.