have red DK...get vinyl kit or paint it??

vader1979

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ok...found out that thisoldgame.com does have red DK vinyl kit for sale...i just got done sanding...bondoing...sanding...it is finally ready for prime and paint...then i find out i can buy a vinyl kit. Just curious what you guys think would be a better route to go...pay the cash and get the kit...or paint match and paint it? how do you apply the vinyl? is it just like a sticker? or do you have to apply glue...? what are the steps and what would you guys do? Remember this is my first restore...and i want to do it right to make it look the best.. thanks for any info!! also..what are your thoughts on covering the three extra holes in the cabinet sides? i know i have to keep the two..but those three extra do not attach to anything...ok to cover? or is it more original to keep bolts in..even though they are unused?
 
Vinyl you just peel it off while applying it, like a sticker, and if you get bubbles, just poke them with a needle and they will not be visible anymore. Pretty easy, just youtube vinyl application. It being your first restore though, it would be exciting to make it yourself. There is a vector of the side art to download on the internet. I can make you stencils from the vector file if you would like. It will take you a while making stencils, but it will be worth it if you take your time.

If you mess up, just sand over it and try again, or go for the vinyl.

Just PM me.
 
Fill the holes, prime, sand smooth, Paint red, sand smooth, then vinyl. There's plenty of info on how to apply the vinyl on this site. Just do a search for "vinyl". Use the wet method and you won't have any problems. Vinyl is the most "accurate" Nintendo finish you can get, it's worth the extra $$.

ok...found out that thisoldgame.com does have red DK vinyl kit for sale...i just got done sanding...bondoing...sanding...it is finally ready for prime and paint...then i find out i can buy a vinyl kit. Just curious what you guys think would be a better route to go...pay the cash and get the kit...or paint match and paint it? how do you apply the vinyl? is it just like a sticker? or do you have to apply glue...? what are the steps and what would you guys do? Remember this is my first restore...and i want to do it right to make it look the best.. thanks for any info!! also..what are your thoughts on covering the three extra holes in the cabinet sides? i know i have to keep the two..but those three extra do not attach to anything...ok to cover? or is it more original to keep bolts in..even though they are unused?
 
This post confuses me a bit...

Have you ever installed a sheet of new vinyl on a game? I would hardly describe it as 'just peel and stick'. Surface prep is a complete motherfucker.

Also he is talking about restoring a Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong has only one color on the sides and a silk screened side art sticker on each side. When you mention making a stencil from a vector file the first thing that comes to mind is a game with stencil painted sides (which this game does not have). So I'm unsure what you would be making stencils of for the guy?

Vinyl you just peel it off while applying it, like a sticker, and if you get bubbles, just poke them with a needle and they will not be visible anymore. Pretty easy, just youtube vinyl application. It being your first restore though, it would be exciting to make it yourself. There is a vector of the side art to download on the internet. I can make you stencils from the vector file if you would like. It will take you a while making stencils, but it will be worth it if you take your time.

If you mess up, just sand over it and try again, or go for the vinyl.

Just PM me.
 
I agree, I was right there too, no comprende? I'd actually like to see a stenciled DK though. that would be a pain in the ass, considering you can buy a set of silked sideart for $45.

This post confuses me a bit...

Have you ever installed a sheet of new vinyl on a game? I would hardly describe it as 'just peel and stick'. Surface prep is a complete motherfucker.

Also he is talking about restoring a Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong has only one color on the sides and a silk screened side art sticker on each side. When you mention making a stencil from a vector file the first thing that comes to mind is a game with stencil painted sides (which this game does not have). So I'm unsure what you would be making stencils of for the guy?
 
That might be kind of cool to see admittedly, but not sure how well it would work realistically considering how many colors there are on the DK sideart. The build/texture under the clear coat would be substantial.

I sent vader a PM earlier describing how to install the vinyl, but the bottom line is I do recommend the vinyl. It saves the hassle of getting color matched paint and if you do it right it just looks nicer IMO. Just gotta be prepared to do a lot of surface prep before you start to peel and stick or you will hate how it turns out.

I agree, I was right there too, no comprende? I'd actually like to see a stenciled DK though. that would be a pain in the ass, considering you can buy a set of silked sideart for $45.
 
This post confuses me a bit...

Have you ever installed a sheet of new vinyl on a game? I would hardly describe it as 'just peel and stick'. Surface prep is a complete motherfucker.

Also he is talking about restoring a Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong has only one color on the sides and a silk screened side art sticker on each side. When you mention making a stencil from a vector file the first thing that comes to mind is a game with stencil painted sides (which this game does not have). So I'm unsure what you would be making stencils of for the guy?

I worked a summer at a sign shop. Did vinyl graphics (arcade art yes), lettering, and car decals. Not too hard to apply vinyl. Yes prepare the surface, but you always have to prepare before you apply anything in any process.

20 minutes later…

Well I was going to try and demonstrate my stenciling method to make more sense, but I was going too fast, and messed up with the paint. If you take your time, it works wonders, sigh. I would use a vinyl cutter for a job like this though for the stencil with some tack paper. I like working with the image a lot. Call me a romantic, but I think spending as much time with the artwork then applying it means a lot more then just buying a sticker and placing it.
 

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getting vinyl

thank you guys for helping me decide...it sounds like a good way to go for my restore...i do want the color to match as best as it can...and if there is vinyl just for the Red DK...it is a good move for me...Already ordered it...thanks again!!
 
Well I was going to try and demonstrate my stenciling method to make more sense, but I was going too fast, and messed up with the paint. If you take your time, it works wonders, sigh. I would use a vinyl cutter for a job like this though for the stencil with some tack paper. I like working with the image a lot. Call me a romantic, but I think spending as much time with the artwork then applying it means a lot more then just buying a sticker and placing it.

Why would anyone want to stencil Donkey Kong side art? That side art has at least 12 colors. That would be a lot of work. Plus the fact that this ame originally came with a "sticker" and silk screened reproductions are pretty cheap.


Back on topic: do a search for user Phetishboy and look at his DK3 restore. He used TOG's red vinyl.
 
Why would anyone want to stencil Donkey Kong side art? That side art has at least 12 colors. That would be a lot of work. Plus the fact that this ame originally came with a "sticker" and silk screened reproductions are pretty cheap.


Back on topic: do a search for user Phetishboy and look at his DK3 restore. He used TOG's red vinyl.

It's fun and cheap. It also looks incredible once finished. It is not as bad as it sounds.
 
I've been over a zillion threads on this and it seems like the bottom line is that nobody has been able to accurately reproduce the finish on a japanese nintendo cab. The vinyl is, apparently, a good color match and gives you a consistent finish if you do it right. You can't just slap the vinyl on, you need to have a red paint base underneath. The downside is that (unlike the original DK finish) the vinyl is prone to damage. Painting is more durable but also more difficult to get a consistent finish.
 
I've been over a zillion threads on this and it seems like the bottom line is that nobody has been able to accurately reproduce the finish on a japanese nintendo cab. The vinyl is, apparently, a good color match and gives you a consistent finish if you do it right. You can't just slap the vinyl on, you need to have a red paint base underneath. The downside is that (unlike the original DK finish) the vinyl is prone to damage. Painting is more durable but also more difficult to get a consistent finish.

This is pretty much spot on.

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+1 for paint and repo sideart. When done with some attention to detail the result looks factory. I used paint and vinyl sideart on my DKjr and it looks new. I have a DK in the shop right now getting sanded and bondo waiting for better weather to spray the paint.
 
That is an awesome looking machine phetishboy...I just hope mine will turn out half as good! I am nervous as hell about getting my cabinet to look like that! I ordered the vinyl kit for it...gonna prime and get it ready for the vinyl.
 
That is an awesome looking machine phetishboy...I just hope mine will turn out half as good! I am nervous as hell about getting my cabinet to look like that! I ordered the vinyl kit for it...gonna prime and get it ready for the vinyl.

You still need to paint because the vinyl is somewhat translucent.
Put the vinyl over primer and it will look like crap.
I had some of the red vinyl and the sheen was too glossy imo.
I have a blue cab to restore and the sheen is more semi gloss than gloss.
Even the pieces under the cp are the same sheen.
Another thing to think of is if the vinyl gets damaged then you are screwed.
Paint can be touched up pretty easily but not vinyl.
 
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