Discs of Tron Artwork Restoration

bungy

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I got this a few months ago and it's one of my favorite games. The side art was real rough, peeling off in many places, lots of gouges, and it looks like someone took a lighter to one side.

As you may or may not know, the marquee is two pieces. The front being glass with a black border and pink stripes. The back part is plastic and is like one of those picture that changes when you change the angle you view it from, when you rub your fingernail on it it makes a scratching sound. The monitor bezel is is similar to the glass piece and both are flaking. Nothing has flaked off, but you can see how it has raised from the glass by looking from the front.

Also the CPO is rough and the CP light cover is cracked.

The side art and marquee front have been sourced from This Old Game, but the bezel, CPO, and light cover are currently unavailable. However, rumors abound that the missing parts may turn up. The translight is also not available, but mine is in fantastic shape so no worries there.

Here are a few before pictures:
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First things first: side art. I ordered from Rich at This Old Game as that the only place it was available. Also because I have seen Rich's work and it is top notch. This side art is no exception.

Both sides came off in one piece; I'm going to do something with them, not sure yet, maybe make a few framed pieces.

I bondo'd up the gouges on the flat surfaces and edges and sanded. I did three applications within 1.5 hours and it came out nice. Sanded the whole side and wiped it with a wet rag to get all the dust. The wet rag was a bad idea because it made the side less smooth. I proceeded with applying the artwork anyway.

This was the most difficult arcade related thing I have ever done to date. Mostly because I didn't know what I was doing. I laid out the artwork and aligned it. Then put some weights on top to hold it in place. I started by applying the top corner and I peeled off the backing and premask at the same time. Big mistake. It took forever to get the top stuck down straight and with no wrinkles. The material is pretty forgiving though. Once I got it started it went a little easier, but I was still pulling off the premask as I went. I guess I thought it would be easier to make sure there were not bubbles. There were some tiny bubble, not from my application method, but because the surface was not completely prepped. They can only be seen at very close range, and it still looks *very* professional.

I used the Band-It edge trimmer to cut off the excess material and it worked flawlessly. Perfectly straight edge cuts all around. It looks absolutely fantastic.

After my experience with the first side, I did the second side differently the next night. I bondo'd as before, but only wiped down with a dry cloth, and the surface stayed perfectly smooth. I applied the art with the premask on and it was a breeze. No bubbles or wrinkles at all. Second side turned out even better than the first.

However, I will not laugh at Noice's Crystal Castles anymore, this was a difficult process.


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Here's a pic of the new TOG marquee and the old side art.

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Very Nice. Yeah the premask is there for a good reason. Always leave it on until the artwork is applied. Squeegies leave scratches.
 
I am excited for you. This game has always been on my want list.

Thanks. I like this game because like Tron, it has some great art. Also, gameplay can get intense with its unique controls. I can't think of another game with a more complex control panel. Push/pull spinner and a flightstick with a trigger and thumb button.
 
Very Nice. Yeah the premask is there for a good reason. Always leave it on until the artwork is applied. Squeegies leave scratches.

I didn't even need the squeegee that Rich sent with the art. On each side, I used my hands to press it on and smooth it a couple inches at a time. I had almost no trouble with bubbling. I wonder if it's because of the air release channels on these pieces. I have done other full side applications with black vinyl that was harder to work with than this.

I am thoroughly impressed with how it turned out, and many thanks to This Old Game!!!
 
Does anyone know if the t-molding has been repro'd for this game? I see that Arcadeshop has some for sale, but I don't know if it is flat like the original, or if it's just regular t-molding.
 
That's cool, Greg! Looking forward to seeing your progress with this.

Just saw your additional post...great job on that side art and the marquee is sweet. Rich does nice work!
 
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Does anyone know if the t-molding has been repro'd for this game? I see that Arcadeshop has some for sale, but I don't know if it is flat like the original, or if it's just regular t-molding.

I bought the blue a while ago from AS, but never used it.. its not the same as the stuff on my DOT which is almost a teal color.. the AS is definitely light blue.. but, after a few months doubt you would ever remember the original color sort of thing.

Just curious, the art looks awesome and I have been eyeing it although my original is actually in pretty good shape. I notice on the outer edges of the original, the purple has a smooth transistion to the black, but on the repro it looks like it is purple, a single band of darker purple, then black. Is that an illusion by the camera or does it step down in color instead of transition smoothly?
 
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ya loing at your pics the t-moulding matches the color in the art right on.. the AS stuff definitely would not be close like that.. its a bright light blue.. if I remember i'll do a side-by-side pic this weekend.
 
I bought the blue a while ago from AS, but never used it.. its not the same as the stuff on my DOT which is almost a teal color.. the AS is definitely light blue.. but, after a few months doubt you would ever remember the original color sort of thing.

Just curious, the art looks awesome and I have been eyeing it although my original is actually in pretty good shape. I notice on the outer edges of the original, the purple has a smooth transistion to the black, but on the repro it looks like it is purple, a single band of darker purple, then black. Is that an illusion by the camera or does it step down in color instead of transition smoothly?

That sucks about the t-molding. Mine is in ok shape so I'll just keep it.

That's not an illusion by the camera, it does look like that. If you look at the 3 gray bands at the top, on the repro they are just gray, on the original, there is a slight gradient at the top. It is not a perfect replica, but it is perfectly acceptable for me as my original art was in sad shape and peeling off everywhere. The repro is solvent inkjet, not silkscreened, and I imagine steps were taken to keep costs down or that effect just doesn't look right in inkjet.
 
great job!!
now I just need to get that CPO finished up

If Brett is able to finish an edot cab once he recovers I plan on buying one as mine is rotting away. Assuming he's able to make the cabinet, I would be willing to pay $400 for inkjet eDot artwork if you're up for the challenge :D.

[EDIT -- Nice work Bungy!]
 
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