Consensus of arcade restoration process

Deadly

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I'm in the middle of a restoration (Robotron upright) and wanted to get everyones opinions on the following items which pertains to any restorations in general. I'm having some inner turmoil about this project. I'm pretty much a purist and after putting countless hours and ridiculous amounts of money into this restoration I'm at a cross roads (not with Steve Vai and Ralph Machio) heh.

(1.) Do you re-use the flawed original artwork such as marquees, bezels and CPO's or do you buy repro stuff and make it look 100 brand new?

(2.) Cabinet flaws - if there was/is a flaw in the cabinet that was there ORIGINALLY when it left the factory do you leave the flaw or do you try to "perfect" the cabinet?

(3.) Edges - you will almost always find small regions of the edges are rough due to small portions of the wood is missing (sliver if you will). Do you lightly sand them to round the edges for a smooth physical appearance or do you break out the bondo and become captain anal and try to recreate that crisp edge?


Last question pertaining to my cabinet. I have a Jrok multi installed and have purchased a MW overlay. Would you go with the Robotron marquee and Robotron bezel or go Multi Williams Bezel and MW marquee?

I will post pics in the restoration section when I'm done.
 
It all depends on how anal you want to be. I have an old converted Robotron cab that I am restoring as well. When I ever get around to re-stenciling the cab, I will probably take the extra time to bondo the edges for a nice sharp edge. As far as putting on the old artwork, again it all depends on what you are looking for. If the cab and paint are cherry, how good will it look with old dinged up artwork?

Are you re-stenciling the original Robotron artwork on? If so, I would stick with the Robotron marquee and bezel. If I was doing that, I would also go with a Robotron based CPO like this that someone created:
3082562447_31f4ee35ee.jpg
 
(1.) Do you re-use the flawed original artwork such as marquees, bezels and CPO's or do you buy repro stuff and make it look 100 brand new?

Nope, I always use the original plexi/glass art, unless it is broken or flaked off beyond being usable. With CPO's, I am 50/50 on replacing them. Depends on the damage and the availability of a good, reasonably priced repro.

(2.) Cabinet flaws - if there was/is a flaw in the cabinet that was there ORIGINALLY when it left the factory do you leave the flaw or do you try to "perfect" the cabinet?

Leave it.

(3.) Edges - you will almost always find small regions of the edges are rough due to small portions of the wood is missing (sliver if you will). Do you lightly sand them to round the edges for a smooth physical appearance or do you break out the bondo and become captain anal and try to recreate that crisp edge?

I bondo the edges if I am repainting or if I have a plan to touch up the paint.

Last question pertaining to my cabinet. I have a Jrok multi installed and have purchased a MW overlay. Would you go with the Robotron marquee and Robotron bezel or go Multi Williams Bezel and MW marquee?

Robotron stuff for sure. I don't think the MW art looks right.
 
The paint needed for this project is friggin expensive. I've got enough paint to restore 5 uprights lol. You might want to talk with me to get something lined up for you to get ahold of the paint.

MW CPO is for sure going to be used - if it looks bad I may go with the one pictured.

I will be ordering the stencil kit - here's what I started with
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=93595&highlight=robotron

BTW - if you look at the bezel you'll see how flawed it is. Someone cut the bottom out for the bubble bobble instruction sticker. I might have someone custome make me an instruction set to fill that space again ???
 
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BTW - if you look at the bezel you'll see how flawed it is. Someone cut the bottom out for the bubble bobble instruction sticker. I might have someone custome make me an instruction set to fill that space again ???

That actually might work pretty good since you are putting a Multi-Williams in it.

I would definitely buy the extra paint off of you when you are done too.
 
(1.) Do you re-use the flawed original artwork such as marquees, bezels and CPO's or do you buy repro stuff and make it look 100 brand new?

As often as possible. Depends on how bad the flaws are and if there are any good alternatives. If the repro is just as good as the original and the original is pretty bad, I go with the repro unless I can find an original in really good shape.

(2.) Cabinet flaws - if there was/is a flaw in the cabinet that was there ORIGINALLY when it left the factory do you leave the flaw or do you try to "perfect" the cabinet?

Leave it unless I'm redoing the entire cabinet. If the factory had a flaw on ALL the games they produced, then I might try to reproduce it if it's not a real PITA to do.


(3.) Edges - you will almost always find small regions of the edges are rough due to small portions of the wood is missing (sliver if you will). Do you lightly sand them to round the edges for a smooth physical appearance or do you break out the bondo and become captain anal and try to recreate that crisp edge?

Sand them (Square typically, not round), fill when needed, and do touchup if possible. The issue with touchup is getting it to blend right and not have it stand out. Sometimes the touchup can be worse then the original damage.

I also add leg levelers to as many of my cabs as possible. This helps protect the edges and makes it easier to move the cabs around. If the game didn't have leg levelers like Taito and Nintendo, I will consider adding them.

Last question pertaining to my cabinet. I have a Jrok multi installed and have purchased a MW overlay. Would you go with the Robotron marquee and Robotron bezel or go Multi Williams Bezel and MW marquee?

I will post pics in the restoration section when I'm done.

Robotron looks better IMHO.
 
(1.) Do you re-use the flawed original artwork such as marquees, bezels and CPO's or do you buy repro stuff and make it look 100 brand new?

Nope, I always use the original plexi/glass art, unless it is broken or flaked off beyond being usable. With CPO's, I am 50/50 on replacing them. Depends on the damage and the availability of a good, reasonably priced repro.

(2.) Cabinet flaws - if there was/is a flaw in the cabinet that was there ORIGINALLY when it left the factory do you leave the flaw or do you try to "perfect" the cabinet?

Leave it.

(3.) Edges - you will almost always find small regions of the edges are rough due to small portions of the wood is missing (sliver if you will). Do you lightly sand them to round the edges for a smooth physical appearance or do you break out the bondo and become captain anal and try to recreate that crisp edge?

I bondo the edges if I am repainting or if I have a plan to touch up the paint.

Last question pertaining to my cabinet. I have a Jrok multi installed and have purchased a MW overlay. Would you go with the Robotron marquee and Robotron bezel or go Multi Williams Bezel and MW marquee?

Robotron stuff for sure. I don't think the MW art looks right.


gotta say phet i support all these choices
 
I agree with everyones opinions and since Phet is one of the more respected restoration people I want to say thanks for chiming in.

For sure the cabinet will get the original marquee and I will be using the original bezel, but the CPO will be the Multi Williams. I like the above Robotron multi layout - who did that? Was it Shillmover? I already purchased a MW CPO from Arcadeoverlays and plan on doing a review when it gets applied. If it looks like shit on the cabinet then I'll work with whom ever to get the MW pictured above made. I guess every MW I've seen has been the typical black cabinet with MW artwork so I have no clue how the CPO will look on the robotron cabinet. Thanks for everyones input it's much appreciated.
 
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