Budweiser Tapper Restore...The Beginning

HighScoreSaves

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This will start the restoration of Tapper.

Didn't want to continue it in this other thread -

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=100114

This one is going to need some work.

Here's a pic of the start -

0082.jpg


I have just ordered the CPO and Handle Overlays from AS. They do have them in stock. I will actually compare them to ArcadeOverlays to see the differences. Guess I should have checked first with AS, but it did come from a very trusted source...

The CP is just wrong. Here's a pic -

0102.jpg


I am getting started on making a few metal plugs to get rid of the start buttons. Will have to redrill the new plugs to insert P2 button back to original, the P1 was still there. Lucky for me the handles and joystick are good, just need to be rebuilt and cleaned. Then I will need to fill the bolt hole that was used to lock down the left side because the bracket snapped off the CP. I'll post a pic later when that is completed.

Started the brass rail on the bottom, cleaned up pretty good on the first attempt. A little more elbow grease and a couple more polishes, should turn out good.


0012.jpg



Now the cup rails. Whole different story. I need to figure on how to tackle this one. Pot Metal, no dipping available. Might electroplate, but most likely, very light applications of a gold spray.

006.jpg



This is the start. Should be a more challenging restoration than the others.
 
As for the sideart, I ordered from TOG. The cab itself will need work, filling holes where bolts just don't belong! Back end of the cabinet needs to be patched and painted anyways, lucky the side art has been reproduced by TOG!

0122.jpg


0132.jpg
 
This was a very challenging and expensive restoration to say the least. I broke my cabinet down into nothing but a pile of pieces to have the artwork scanned (which you have just purchased a repro of) and then did a complete inside/out rebuild including all new black vinyl on the inside. Good luck on this one and seriously look into having your cup holders powdercoated in a brass finish, i originally sprayed mine but i'm taking them in over the winter for a powdercoating. The finished product is very close to brass and you can't beat the durability.
 
too bad they drilled out your control panel..

Whats up with the monitor glass? Did someone remove the game insturctions?

Remove that battery asap.
 
Now the cup rails. Whole different story. I need to figure on how to tackle this one. Pot Metal, no dipping available. Might electroplate, but most likely, very light applications of a gold spray.

Here's what I did to mine. Not original but I couldn't figure out how else to "fix" them - they look so much better now and it was only paint so if I or someone figures out how to fix them properly the paint can be removed. It's a quick and cheap fix that looks good (though mine were in much worse condition than yours):

BEFORE:
tapper_cp.jpg


PAINT:
tapper_cupholder_paint.jpg


AFTER:
new_tapper_cp.jpg


What did you use to polish the footrails?
 
The rail is pretty easy.

I took Simple Green and a steel wool pad. Cleaned off the grime (it will scratch ever so slightly) and stayed with a straight motion, along the pipe, and used a little elbow grease! :)

Then I used a 3" buffer pad on a drill. Flitz is the best polish that I know of, used it on this. Applied the polish, do not let dry, and then the buffing starts. This will get the shine and reduce the scratches from the steel wool.

The pics that I showed was after only 1 attempt. Multiple times to get my desired results will be needed.

Total time was about 30 minutes.

I am putting this one to the side to finish up my MB Widebody this week. I will update this post when I progress more after that one. Waiting on a few parts. MarioBros already came in.
 
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It was suggested not to try powdercoating. I think they turned out pretty decent. Should look much better than what was on there to start with!

Before -

0122.jpg


006.jpg


After -

001-2.jpg


002-2.jpg


003-2.jpg
 
Any plans yet for the missing instructions on the bezel? Are you just going to look for a new bezel or are you planning to look into finding a scan and getting it printed? I ask because my bezel has the same problem. :(
 
Not quite sure.

I will take a look at printing/finding another to go on this one. That is one of the last details for me to look at. Other than the instructions, the bezel is in 99% good shape.

This has a lot more work to do to it than most of my others. :)
 
This has a lot more work to do to it than most of my others. :)

Pffft. You call that work? Now THIS is going to require some work. :D

And money. Lots and lots of money. Should have this fully restored by 2015 give or take a year.

.
 

Attachments

  • Bad_Tapper.jpg
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Control Panel update

I redid the CP this morning. Plugged the P1 and P2 holes, redrilled for P2 and attached a new bracket underneath. And of course the overlay.

Before -

0012-1.jpg


004-2.jpg


006-1.jpg


005-1.jpg
 
I realized (after of course) that the tapper handle holes should have been filled.

Nothing a couple of dust covers can't fix I guess..... :(
 
I realized (after of course) that the tapper handle holes should have been filled.(
I was just about to ask about that. Is the panel just supposed to have slits for the up/down movement instead of a full hole?

**No quote hacking on this please. Too easy** :)

Panel looks great nonetheless!
 
Yes. Just movement for Up and Down. This CP was a mess, see first pic of thread. My oversite, now have to live with it! :)

BTW - Game had the dust covers on top when I got it. Should have researched a little more. Live and learn!
 
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