I don't care if it's original. I want it to look good...

[modessitt]

I don't care if it's original. I want it to look good...

I have a Nintendo cab that was originally blue, then painted black and converted to Bionic Commando, then stripped and sold empty to me, then made into a Vs. SMB by me. I plan to put my NOS Hogan's Alley kit into it, and probably swap SMB and others in periodically.

I plan to relaminate the entire cab (I think I've read the cab can be taken apart easily?). However, I don't like the gray look of the original Vs. Unisystems:

I'm also not sure I like the look of the converted blue cabs with the artwork:

So, I'm looking at the artwork and trying to decide what colors might look good. I don't care if it's a color that Nintendo cabs were made in or not. The front will be black, which should go well with the CPO:

But I'm wondering about the sides. What would go good with this artwork:

Black may go okay. How about red like the Radarscope or early Donkey Kong's? Perhaps a dark blue like the words "Nintendo" (assuming I could match it).

Or should I find something that matches the kit I'm putting in it (of which I have a topper also)?

Anyone have an opinion?

 

[KevinMullins]

Do the cab to match the brick wall in the marquee.

Seriousy, I'd say black all around.

 

[nesjess]

I know you're shying away from Nintendo cab colors, but I'm restoring a Vs. Unisystem cab and painting it orange. I feel it will not only look good with Vs. The Goonies but also the sideart. I think orange works well with Hogan's Alley. What color is the gun?

 

[RyDawg]

I've done black before. It looks SHARP when it's said and done. They did make some black cabs in the later years, but they are a specific type of cabinet. (R-type, single monitor Playchoice 10)

 

[modessitt]

I know you're shying away from Nintendo cab colors, but I'm restoring a Vs. Unisystem cab and painting it orange. I feel it will not only look good with Vs. The Goonies but also the sideart. I think orange works well with Hogan's Alley. What color is the gun?

I don't recall, but I think the gun is black (it's in a box). It's not that I'm shying away from Nintendo colors. I just don't like the gray and I'm not sure I like the blue with this artwork. My DKjr will also get new orange laminate.

I just want something that goes well together, even though I'll probably never see it because it'll be slid in between other games.

Hell, I could go bright yellow like is on the artwork, too. Might be interesting to see a yellow Nintendo cab...

 

[nesjess]

I say orange then.

 

[Scramble1981]

I like the look of the dark blue used on the DK2.
Maybe match the dark blue of the 'Nintendo'.

 

[alexcc]

I like the look of the dark blue used on the DK2.
Maybe match the dark blue of the 'Nintendo'.

+1 on that.
I plan on doing a VS SMB in dark blue, red DK and orange DK jr for my Nintendo row.

 

[NotreCaine]

M....... Your title says it all. If you go off script, I agree that the Dark DK 2 blue, would be fine. However, I do agree with , Jess. The first cab I bought was a converted DKJR and Hogan's Alley was installed. From past experience, the orange is very nice, especially with that marquee. It's obviously your call. You have me intrigued with what you are going to do!

 

[NotreCaine]

I plan to relaminate the entire cab (I think I've read the cab can be taken apart easily?). However, I don't like the gray look of the original Vs. Unisystems

For the record: I do like the dedicated grey Uni cabs. All the Vs games, especially SMB, look nice in it! Just sayin

 

[Raven]

Dark blue or black. Both look good!

 

[LyonsArcade]

I Love all the nintendo colors, but if you you want to do something different the dark blue idea sounds cool

 

[gregatron]

I vote for sapphire of the D2K cabs. You can get the vinyl from Rich at this old game.
If you want it to look nice, vinyl is the way to go IMO.
I believe it will match up with the blue in the lower area of the VS. side art
http://www.thisoldgame.com/products/donkey-kong-2-saphire-blue

 

[mecha]

I vote for sapphire of the D2K cabs. You can get the vinyl from Rich at this old game.
If you want it to look nice, vinyl is the way to go IMO.
I believe it will match up with the blue in the lower area of the VS. side art
http://www.thisoldgame.com/products/donkey-kong-2-saphire-blue

does that resurface the sides of a whole game?! hell, I might say screw the paint and go that route. is it pre-cut to size or do you have to chop it up with a router?

 

[gregatron]

does that resurface the sides of a whole game?! hell, I might say screw the paint and go that route. is it pre-cut to size or do you have to chop it up with a router?

No, Unfortunately you still have to do all the hard work, i.e. sanding, prepping, primering, painting, final sanding then vinyl. It is not pre cut and comes in rolls. There are a couple of threads that go over the details a little better in the restore thread. I believe that it is actually the closest you can come to the original finish though. I wouldn't recommend it for any old cab but Nintendo cabs look great with it applied.
Greg

 

[modessitt]

Since the cabs were laminate originally, I'll probably go with a laminate. Also, with the problem of the new t-molding being slightly too wide for Nintendo cabs, putting new laminate over the old laminate will make the sides slightly wider so the t-molding should look good.

I need to go by the laminate place here in town to see what my color options are, and whether other colors can be ordered...

 

[mecha]

No, Unfortunately you still have to do all the hard work, i.e. sanding, prepping, primering, painting, final sanding then vinyl. It is not pre cut and comes in rolls. There are a couple of threads that go over the details a little better in the restore thread. I believe that it is actually the closest you can come to the original finish though. I wouldn't recommend it for any old cab but Nintendo cabs look great with it applied.
Greg

yeah, I meant the final top coat of paint, my bad. there's the constant argument over whether to roll or spray, and I want it to look good, but it'd be silly to get spray equipment for just this one project, I don't deal in restorations.

does $45 cover the entire cost of material though? I don't know anything about laminate or its pricing, I know someone that can route it, they actually made my replica CP for my 33" showcase.

mod, I bought some replacement t-mold from mikes, it's still sitting in the box in the trunk of my car, cause I've done nothing with this yet lol. I have one side of my cab that I haven't stripped the paint off entirely yet, should I still strip/sand this horrible black spraypaint before filling in the rough spots with bondo and continue with some coats of primer over that, or can I get away with leaving the spraypaint alone if I go the laminate route? I wanna try to get this thing fairly close to original.

 

[FrizzleFried]

I rolled my Punch Out cabinet... it looks good... it's not quite the smoothness of the stock finish, but it's certainly nowhere near "bad"...

 

[INOVERMYHEAD]

Do the purple in the grid pattern on the side art, I have done some super dark purple cabs, where you cant really even till if its blue or purple, and they come out looking sweet. . . .

 

[natey_boy]

well my two cents.......... Think outside the box and find a color never been done before, I think it would look great in a darker green... Maybe even in a burgandy? Why not go for the gusto and paint it white? That would look pretty slick!