LOCA Tips | Bye Bye Bubbles

Bubbles are any modders nightmare when installing your Game Boy Color frontlight with LOCA. They haunt you, remaining unseen when applying your front light, only to appear when you rig her up. There is a better way to install your frontlight with LOCA and can avoid 80% more of those nasty bubbles. Here's the tip.

Install your frontlight upside down in the front housing to ensure that it will align with your LCD panel. After applying your LOCA, remove any air bubble left with a fine screwdriver by simply scooping them out. When you are satisfied, slowly set the LCD on top of the LOCA instead of setting the front light on the LCD.  Place a weighted flat object on top of the frontlight (such as a large candle, paper weight... etc.) to help distribute the LOCA and create a thinner layer of glue. A thin layer of loca sets the LEDs closer to the LCD and helps to provide a brighter panel when lit. The frontlight will be held in place by the frame when you observe from underneath.

Turn your setup over and leave an object under the panel to support it from below. allow some of the LOCA to cure while the panel is in the housing in order to hold it in place. Afterwards remove the front casing and fully cure your glue. Be sure to remove the reflective tape on the back of the panel before application and after in order to cure the entire setup. Let the edges of the panel cure in the window after and you are almost set to go. 

No more bubbles for a professional install! I have also seen the option to autoclave your setup. Unless you have one of those, this is your next best option.