Different Kind of Restore

[YellowDog]

This forum mostly deals with fixing cabinets and patching artwork. Today I would like to show off a different kind of restore.

Like most of you, I have been forced to rethink putting badly burned monitors in cabinets just because new monitors are so hard to come by. The monitor I put into a Stargate I restored was badly Ms Pac burned:

So I pulled the bezel, cleaned it and applied the file:

Here is what it looks like sitting on some white paper (the crinkles are in the paper, not the flim). You can see the difference between the rectangle for the instruction card and the main part of the bezel:

Here is the final look:

The film I used was called "Smoke Window Film" stock number 65822 at Lowes. It comes in a roll 3' x 6' for approximately $12, so I have plenty to do more as needed.

I wish you could see it. The blacks are black and the colors really pop. The only time the burn shows up is when the Stargate flashes in the attract mode. I'm starting to rethink selling it now.

ken

 

[kjeffery]

some games come with tented plexi behind the bezel, and yes the colors look allot better, if you get some darker stuff, you will see the game just fine and barely any burn in

 

[TheDrewster]

Snap a picture lit in the dark, I bet that would look nice.

 

[80scoinops]

Nice! Now you just need to print the instruction card and throw it in there.

 

[saltbreez]

Nice work Ken,

I have had such good luck with TV tube swaps for these old monitors, that I would not even think about placing a burn tube back in a game.

I always look for the 'spare bedroom TV' that has spent it's life waiting to be used.

Saltbreez

 

[butthead]

Nice! Now you just need to print the instruction card and throw it in there.

You forgot the wife, throw her in also. Mine is always mowing Grass.

 

[YellowDog]

I've been looking for old TVs. They are becoming rare around here. I had two lined up at a thrift shop, but they got sold out from under me. I talked one clerk into putting them aside for me while I ran to the ATM and somebody saw them behind the counter and bought them from a different clerk before I got back.

Because everything is digital now, they were junked a couple of years ago. Now they are mostly gone.

That is why I decided to share this tip. More and more of these formerly abandoned burned monitors are going to find their way into games.

ken

 

[Dokert]

I have considered doing just that on several occasions. Problem is I can't apply window tint to save my ass. Very nice fix IMO.

 

[gutsman004]

I agree it's a nice fix,but I think I'd go the TV tube swap route before I did this.

 

[YellowDog]

I have considered doing just that on several occasions. Problem is I can't apply window tint to save my ass. Very nice fix IMO.

Thanks.

It was very easy to put the tint on. In the same section (at least i my Lowes) there was an install kit which consisted of a spray bottle of stuff, a razor blade and a squeegee. I used a spray bottle with a soapy water solution and I have a squeegee left over from silk screening, so I didn't bother with their kit.

I was actually really surprised how easily it went on. I did this back in the early 80's and the tint back then had adhesive on the back and once it went down, if you had any bubbles, you were screwed. This new stuff only has a tacky back and when I got a bubble, I just lifted the edge and re-squeegeed it. It was scary how easy it was.

ken

 

[iggins]

Has anyone applied the tint fim directly to a tube? I have a Pigskin with an "exposed" monitor and Gyruss burn in.

 

[Phetishboy]

Has anyone applied the tint fim directly to a tube? I have a Pigskin with an "exposed" monitor and Gyruss burn in.

Yep, I tried it once and it did not work due to the curvature of the tube. I was using a thicker tint roll, but I would think you'd have the same results with a thinner tint as well.

 

[YellowDog]

There was a small amount of stretch in the film, but I am not sure there is enough to deal with the curvature of a normal monitor.

Is there any way to drop a cover plate over the monitor like they did with Ms Pacman?

ken

 

[Dokert]

I can never seem to get all of the damn bubbles out.

 

[iggins]

Re. Curvature... That's what I was afraid of. Oh well, I can live with a little burn...

 

[p1899m]

I've been looking for old TVs. They are becoming rare around here. I had two lined up at a thrift shop, but they got sold out from under me. I talked one clerk into putting them aside for me while I ran to the ATM and somebody saw them behind the counter and bought them from a different clerk before I got back.

Because everything is digital now, they were junked a couple of years ago. Now they are mostly gone.

That is why I decided to share this tip. More and more of these formerly abandoned burned monitors are going to find their way into games.

ken

have you tried CL? I've only searched and never bought but I've found many for sale cheap just occasionally browsing. Oh and if you have access to public schools, it seems like they all still have plenty 80's or older 19in TV's around.

 

[Mike Doyle]

At one time Wal-Mart sold window tint in the infant department that was intended for spot application, as opposed to a whole car. They may still have it.

The big plus is that that film is stretchy since it is a window cling, instead of rigid film. If you apply it to a picture tube, it follows the curvature nicely.

I use a spray bottle with dish soap and water, and a squeegee to get it applied smoothly. It's a nice alternative for monitors like Asteroids where you don't want to tint the bezel since it would obscure the cardboard surround.

 

[SteveJ]

Nice fix, Ken. I just can't play a game with burn-in, especially if it's from another game.

But that film looks like it does the trick nicely.

 

[spacies]

Yep done that many times. Its a great fix!

For those wanting to know about the bubbles, please apply it uses the wet method (1 drop of dish wash liquid in a spray bottle) and soak both the tint film and mounting area. Then work the water out from the centre.

Also, use a heat gun to shrink the film to get around then problem with the curves if you want to apply it direct to the tube. This is how window tinting shops do it on curved glass windows. I have watched them many times

Good luck!

 

[toolguy]

I can never seem to get all of the damn bubbles out.

On a flat piece of glass, it is the easiest really. You need to use the proper solution with soapy water. No need to buy the spray at the store, it is just soapy water really. More is better and you can also use a hair dryer to assist in the drying and when you squeegee the water out to the sides. There really is no air bubbles on a flat piece of glass, just water to squeegee out.

I tint cars windows and would take a flat piece of glass over a car window any day! : )