Circus Charlie

WarLordAG

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I wasn't going to start a topic due to me not feeling this needed much work, but it's taken a drastic change from it's original self. These topics also help keep me motivated.

The sides and front had all been painted black. I started stripping one side to see the damage and there was a latex black on top of a nice solid thick primer. The artwork that is there is not to be saved. At least the one side I have done. I am going to try on the other side, but I won't hold my breath. Hopefully someone does even an inkjet run of it one day, as it's really cool artwork.

I am going to strip both sides and leave it original as the laminate is in nice shape underneath. I already have a CPO courtesy of GameOnGrafix and will be matching the blue off of it and repainting the front based on that. I'm not sure how to tackle the stars yet, but I have a couple of ideas in mind.

Then I either need to get this board set repaired or replace it. Seems to have a ram issue.

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Cool somebody working on Circus Charlie. If you need the exact star size and location I will be making a templet soon and going from there. Yes I also have the CPO from GOG and its looks good if you anything just shoot a pm

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Andrew
 
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Jarrod - glad to see to you giving Charlie the love I could not! I hope it goes well for you! Keep us posted...
 
Let's see a closeup of the CPO on the left side of the joystick. I bought one (back when they were mamemarquees) and was NOT happy with the result. I will NOT be using it, and want to see if they improved on their printing. The problems with mine were due to a problem with the image they used to print with.

I'll be converting an old Gyruss (cab is messed up already) to Circus Charlie (since I can't find one nearby) and will need some measurements and pics at some point as to redoing the speaker shelf, replacing the front (for the over/under coin door), placement of the stars, etc. Glad to know there are a few people here who could help...
 
I've got two of them...both in pretty good shape...the one I just got has very nice sideart minus some scratches on one side...but no fade..been in a home for last twenty plus years and is super nice....any measurements etc. Shoot me pm...
 
I see some issues with the overlay compared to what I have left on the cabinet, but it's nothing anyone will ever notice or know about.
Definitely better than an old messed up cpo. What were your issues with it?

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I got the front bondo'd and sanded. There were some spots that had chipped and sanding wasn't cutting it.
I gave about 3 or 4 coats of primer to cover up all that black and get ready for the blue.
I sanded all metal parts and gave them a fresh coat of paint also.

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Thanks to the primer, the blue didn't take many coats. 2 or 3.

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Can one of you with a circus charlie measure up from the bottom on that black section on the front. I need to get that painted to finish up.

I need to straighten out what to do about the stars also. I guess I may have to make custom star stencils. Best thing to do would be to measure the stars and see what size they are top to bottom. Say there are 2 inch ones, 3 inch, and 4 inch. Then number that above picture with what size those are.
Also, is anyone able to tell which chips are video ram by the schematics or anything? I think I may just try shotgunning and replacing all of them.
 
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Last time I did a restore I posted about it, I forgot to this time.
I color matched the blue on the CPO with valspar paint from Lowes. I love the valspar paint and try to use it when I can. I just used one of the foam rollers and took my time with nice even coats. It always turns out great.

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I got the CPO on today and reassembled it. The buttons I have for the start buttons are too long so I'll have to order new ones. Not a huge deal since they're supposed to be red and white and not two whites.

Still waiting on someone to let me know how far up the black is on the front. From the flyer it looks like about an inch below the coin door to the bottom is black. The flyer also has no stars so if I don't get to those soon I won't be sad.

The CPO was actually a little over an 1/8 of an inch too short width-wise. Wasn't a huge deal here but will make me send actual measurements with my order next time instead of assuming he has the right ones.

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I see some issues with the overlay compared to what I have left on the cabinet, but it's nothing anyone will ever notice or know about.
Definitely better than an old messed up cpo. What were your issues with it?

The issues where with the images to the right of the words on the left side of the CPO. lines missing from some of the images - kind of like what yours is showing.

Mine might be a little worse, and it bothers me enough that I plan to vector it properly for printing, rather than using the scan they printed from...
 
I'm done for now until I figure something out down the road with the stars.
I have a working board set on the way so hopefully this is back up and running next week.

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Looks fantastic! :beerchug: Fun game, isn't it?

I'll have to look around and see if I saved the stencil I made for the stars when I re-did the front of our Circus Charlie. I'm pretty sure it ended up at the landfill but sometimes I hold onto odd stuff. :)
 
Looks great! :cool:

Making your own stencils for the stars should be easy. Most graphics programs have a "star" shape tool. Get the measurements of the stars and print them out on cut sheets of contact paper. Cut out with an exacto knife, apply and paint.
 
Awesome. Now you just need those stars. Too bad no one makes repro side art.

It really is. I hope it gets reproduced some day, it's really cool artwork.

Looks great!
Just one question, is the t-molding narrower then the side thickness or is it just the way it looks in the picture?

Indeed it is. I was halfway around the first side when I realized the game needed offset t-molding. I should have checked too since a buddy of mine said he thought it was.

Looks fantastic! :beerchug: Fun game, isn't it?

I'll have to look around and see if I saved the stencil I made for the stars when I re-did the front of our Circus Charlie. I'm pretty sure it ended up at the landfill but sometimes I hold onto odd stuff. :)

That would help immensely. I love Circus Charlie. I'd say I've been looking for one for the last 2 years off and on. Great game.

Looks great! :cool:

Making your own stencils for the stars should be easy. Most graphics programs have a "star" shape tool. Get the measurements of the stars and print them out on cut sheets of contact paper. Cut out with an exacto knife, apply and paint.

Getting the locations and star sizes right is going to be key. I don't want to do it if it isn't going to be pretty close.

Looks great, Jarrod! Can I come back and play it?

Definitely. Thanks again for the fair deal. I can finally cross this off my list.
 
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