Dr. Dude my Dream Machine

[PurpleActivator]

Hi y'all! Wanted to show off some pics of this sweet Dr. Dude I just bought it's a machine I've been dreaming of owning for the last decade and I'm PSYCHED to finally have it <3.

Will be updating this thread as well with some minor updates I make to it I bought it shopped/refurbished, but there's still some work that can be done with it to really make it shine (namely some paint touch ups, cab protectors , and a playfield protector installation). First minor repair I did was glueing this excellent ray plastic back together. Unfortunately the game was shipped with balls in the playfield which I think lead to the plastic exploding. Super glue did the trick though! And even better than that - a real nice guy over on Pinside sent me a new plastic for it entirely along with a shooter lane plastic since mine is MIA will show those installed later today once I got proper screws!

 

[bobbyb13]

Fun score.
I love that ridiculous machine.
I've wanted one ever since I played the one that was at Starfighters a few years ago.
Probably not going to happen for me out here though!

 

[PurpleActivator]

Fun score.
I love that ridiculous machine.
I've wanted one ever since I played the one that was at Starfighters a few years ago.
Probably not going to happen for me out here though!

Ey you never know! I didn't think I'd find this guy in a million years until I realized I could afford shipping costs haha granted I recommend vetting the game heavily on video before purchasing!

 

[RetroInjection]

I've always loved this machine. I'm revolted by the soy boy.

 

[nerdygrrl]

That's a fun game for sure. Congrats on obtaining one of your grails.

 

[PurpleActivator]

I've always loved this machine. I'm revolted by the soy boy.

Haha as am I

That's a fun game for sure. Congrats on obtaining one of your grails.

Thank you!! Hope to keep em pristine and play the heck outta it got the protector coming in this week I just gotta try pulling some mylar first at front of playfield (wish me luck I'm terrified lol)

 

[nerdygrrl]

Haha as am I

Thank you!! Hope to keep em pristine and play the heck outta it got the protector coming in this week I just gotta try pulling some mylar first at front of playfield (wish me luck I'm terrified lol)

I've done a lot of mylar removal. The trick is not to skimp on the compressed air or whatever and take your time. Be observant of what you are pulling. Be slow and be tedious.

 

[PurpleActivator]

I've done a lot of mylar removal. The trick is not to skimp on the compressed air or whatever and take your time. Be observant of what you are pulling. Be slow and be tedious.

Thank you for the tips! Will go as slow as can be with it, the playfield is gorgeous (and the back is already mylar free) so I wanna do my best to preserve it and not pull any paint. In your experience is compressed air better than heat? I have a hair dryer I was thinking I'd try but if air works better I'd rather start there

 

[nerdygrrl]

Thank you for the tips! Will go as slow as can be with it, the playfield is gorgeous (and the back is already mylar free) so I wanna do my best to preserve it and not pull any paint. In your experience is compressed air better than heat? I have a hair dryer I was thinking I'd try but if air works better I'd rather start there

I have done it both ways and just prefer the canned air for whatever reason. I don't think there is a correct or better way between the two.

These System 11 cabs be super finicky. You risk losing your insert decals regardless of how you do it. IIRC they do not make repros for Dr Dude so you might want to try scanning the ones that you have so you can make some waterslide decals for them after.

 

[PurpleActivator]

I have done it both ways and just prefer the canned air for whatever reason. I don't think there is a correct or better way between the two.

These System 11 cabs be super finicky. You risk losing your insert decals regardless of how you do it. IIRC they do not make repros for Dr Dude so you might want to try scanning the ones that you have so you can make some waterslide decals for them after.

Very glad I only have mylar on the front half then oof - still a lotta insert decals to worry about but less will update here once I start the project hopefully by the weekend!

In the meantime got some new plastics in that a guy from Pinside was nice enough to send me - gotta fix the screw holes for the shooter lane but nothing a little bondo or wood putty can't fix I'm sure

 

[nerdygrrl]

Very glad I only have mylar on the front half then oof - still a lotta insert decals to worry about but less will update here once I start the project hopefully by the weekend!

In the meantime got some new plastics in that a guy from Pinside was nice enough to send me - gotta fix the screw holes for the shooter lane but nothing a little bondo or wood putty can't fix I'm sure

I look forward to seeing how you make out. Best of luck with it all. The key is just to take it slow and patience. Don't force it.

 

[blown23t]

Congrats.. I also own one.. 1 of 2 proto types.. (blue apron). and hybrid boards... definitely a fun game.. keeper for me... enjoy.!!

 

[jcar302]

Why does it need a playfield protector?

 

[PurpleActivator]

Congrats.. I also own one.. 1 of 2 proto types.. (blue apron). and hybrid boards... definitely a fun game.. keeper for me... enjoy.!!

Keeper for me as well and thank you!!

Why does it need a playfield protector?

I like that it has way better coverage than the mylar, and it's way less of a hassle to put down and way less of a time investment than clear coating (which I don't know how to do right anyway). There was some damage under the ramp drops and I'd like to keep any more damage from happening to ANY of the playfield if possible. Plus the mylar only covered one half of the machine already, so either way let's take off the remaining or let's try to put the rest on even though the existing mylar is starting to come up.

Speaking of which I felt brave this evening and went at it with the hair dryer - gotta say I think I'm pretty good at this haha. Only lost part of one insert decal which seems like it'll be an extremely easy fix... Got nearly half of it off! Doin the rest tomorrow probably..

 

[nerdygrrl]

Keeper for me as well and thank you!!

I like that it has way better coverage than the mylar, and it's way less of a hassle to put down and way less of a time investment than clear coating (which I don't know how to do right anyway). There was some damage under the ramp drops and I'd like to keep any more damage from happening to ANY of the playfield if possible. Plus the mylar only covered one half of the machine already, so either way let's take off the remaining or let's try to put the rest on even though the existing mylar is starting to come up.

Speaking of which I felt brave this evening and went at it with the hair dryer - gotta say I think I'm pretty good at this haha. Only lost part of one insert decal which seems like it'll be an extremely easy fix... Got nearly half of it off! Doin the rest tomorrow probably..

Nice work!

If this is a diamond plate playfield you can skip the protective cover and just address the damage under the ramps. The existing clear coat will be enough protection in a home environment.

 

[jcar302]

I've had nearly all system 11s, some twice.
With new balls and wax in proper working order, none have shown any additional signs of wear when used at home.
Wear typically comes from neglect and i'm not getting the feeling you are going to neglect it in the slightest.
I wouldn't waste my time or money. Guys throw those things on newer machines because they are afraid of dimpling.
It doesn't need clear coating either.

 

[PurpleActivator]

I've had nearly all system 11s, some twice.
With new balls and wax in proper working order, none have shown any additional signs of wear when used at home.
Wear typically comes from neglect and i'm not getting the feeling you are going to neglect it in the slightest.
I wouldn't waste my time or money. Guys throw those things on newer machines because they are afraid of dimpling.
It doesn't need clear coating either.

That makes a lot of sense - and well to be honest I think I got a little spooked by a friend of mine who told me some horror stories and got me on the protector train in the first place

I'm glad to be pulling the mylar since the ball got stuck on edges of it regularly so will be nice to have a solid even clear playing field, but yeah I think you're right once I get the mylar off and clean the adhesive glue off I'll just give it a real good clean n wax and call it good - will share pics when I get it done!

 

[nerdygrrl]

That makes a lot of sense - and well to be honest I think I got a little spooked by a friend of mine who told me some horror stories and got me on the protector train in the first place

I'm glad to be pulling the mylar since the ball got stuck on edges of it regularly so will be nice to have a solid even clear playing field, but yeah I think you're right once I get the mylar off and clean the adhesive glue off I'll just give it a real good clean n wax and call it good - will share pics when I get it done!

You'll be fine. Post some pics of the ramp damage if you want to and we can assist.

 

[PurpleActivator]

You'll be fine. Post some pics of the ramp damage if you want to and we can assist.

Thank you!! And sure that would be awesome here's a pic - I was lucky to find some matching paint for the orange and black, possibly the yellow too, once I finish the mylar removal I'd like to paint over this bit and seal it however I need to. Also, would getting a little protective piece over JUST the two ball drop areas be a good idea?

 

[nerdygrrl]

Thank you!! And sure that would be awesome here's a pic - I was lucky to find some matching paint for the orange and black, possibly the yellow too, once I finish the mylar removal I'd like to paint over this bit and seal it however I need to. Also, would getting a little protective piece over JUST the two ball drop areas be a good idea?

I am out and thus on my phone right now, but I will link to some clear to hold that tomorrow and then yes, a mylar circle to address that drop area.