I got this game that was sitting in my pinball mechanics' carport for several months. He let me have it for $200 and I figured if worse came to worse I could part it out and recoup my money. it was in really bad shape. A critter had pissed on the upper left area and the paint was ruined. The play field was pretty worn from bottom to top as you can kinda tell from the crappy pics. The mph and transformer and rectifier board were missing. The back wood on the head was that fiber board and it was swollen and falling apart.
I brought the head to my friends house who has a wood shop and he made a new back board.In the process though, he accidentally cut through all the wiring that goes from the score panel to the J plug that has a bunch of connectors that connects to the bottom of the rectifier. He also adjusted the trim piece because he didn't understand how the back glass fit in and I initially couldn't get the glass back in. He repaired both issues KINDA.
I bought the Americana Acrylics from Hobby Lobby to do the touch ups. I used the Varathane Polyurethane spray paint in the can to clear coat the play field. I sanded it before and after like I've read and polished and waxed it like suggested from the same sites.
On the cabinet and head, I bought mylar from Teachers Art Supply and taped it over the head and or the cab and cut each color out with an exacto knife. I only cut a total of 6 templates, but would do ever side next time for a total of 10.
I used Rustoleum spray paints in the can for the head and cab and used Dupli color for the legs.
Most of the stuff like the coin box cover, lock down bar, nuts, bolts and screws I sanded at my friends shop( he has a planer that has a drill bit set up on it where I could attach those sand paper balls and then polishing wheels on it). on a lot of the big screwheads and leg bolt heads I put the screw end in my drill and tightened down the bit and sanded the heads with a scotch brite pad then some novus 2 on a rag to clean them up.
I bought parts from Pinball Resource and Marcos.
I also read a lot on many sites to get ideas, make a punch list and try various methods.
I started this in June and piddled with it in my spare time and did a lot of cleaning by hand at work usually one part at a time.
The board work and replacements were done by Chris Munson at a price of $215.
The parts total was $446.
The price of the pin was $200.
Total price was $861.
Cost of what I learned on my first ever restoration: priceless.
I know I can't get the money back on what I put into this game because they don't go for much on Craigslist or Ebay as they aren't highly sought after. I still have some issues to iron out. I can play a few games and then it starts getting really electronically screwy. I think it's where my friend cut the wires and soldered them and heat shrunk them. I can jiggle the harness in that area and it will settle out or have a few other little issues. But I'm pretty sure the way it's acting up( like a connection problem) that is the issue.
Once I get that lined out, or bring it to my pinball mechanic, I'll probably try to sell it.
At least it didn't end up in the dumpster are parted out.