Fixing cosmetic issues on big blue.

Frax

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Came to me this way...this actually isn't THAT noticeable, but I'd like to fix it at some point...as it currently stands, the major damage repair is REALLY solid and I don't know if I could do as good a job with it if I were to mess it up. Just want to clean it up cosmetically. :)

So anyways, here's some pictures...got any ideas?

Looking also maybe for some way to fill the holes someone cut out of the CP to use for MAME? Also a big trackball hole in the middle. I'm hoping I can figure a cheaper way to restore it than to have a new CP cut....I don't have access to any.......well...uh...any equipment at all. :p And christ, I just realized that they had other joysticks in this thing too. Ugh. Any hope at all or just find a way to get a new CP? :|
 

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No expert here, but have done some simple cab jobs. the first thing you need is an exact color match for the touch ups you will need to do after fixing the defects.

I would take chips into a paint store and try and get exact match. Its pretty tough though to do from my experience, which may be limited there.

Next, those areas need to be sanded flat and good, flush and perfectly blended with the surrounding areas, followed up of course by the touchups. It can be done, precision, experimentation and patience are key.

Now, again, no expert, maybe others here can suggest a better way.
 
Bondo does wonders too!
If you can get that panel off without killing everything you might think about simply replacing it.

I 2nd. If you can extract that panel without destroying the cabinet, then that would be MUCH better than touchup, bondo, repairing cracks..etc. You could make a replacement piece out of 3/4" birch ply or MDF. Before installing the panel, seal/prime it and finish sand it. After installing the panel, repaint.
 
Problem is that it's not paint on this cabinet......feels like plastic, bubbles and tears like vinyl though. I'd rather leave it and just try to touch up the damage already done...I lie on a tiny place with two kids anddont really have the room to disassemble a cabinet.
 
Came to me this way...this actually isn't THAT noticeable, but I'd like to fix it at some point...as it currently stands, the major damage repair is REALLY solid and I don't know if I could do as good a job with it if I were to mess it up. Just want to clean it up cosmetically. :)

So anyways, here's some pictures...got any ideas?

Looking also maybe for some way to fill the holes someone cut out of the CP to use for MAME? Also a big trackball hole in the middle. I'm hoping I can figure a cheaper way to restore it than to have a new CP cut....I don't have access to any.......well...uh...any equipment at all. :p And christ, I just realized that they had other joysticks in this thing too. Ugh. Any hope at all or just find a way to get a new CP? :|

For the holes, I have a couple of ideas:
1) glue/epoxy a plate to the back side of the hole. Fill with bondo, sand flush.
2) Since it looks to be a wood CP, cut plugs that will fit into the holes out of wood or something, and then epoxy the plugs into the hole. Again, sand flush with the top surface of the panel.

Either way, you'll need a new control panel overlay, but if you do the filling & sanding well, it won't have any problems.
 
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