Killer Instinct: You might have read about it in Vogue

Broodwich

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Killer Instinct: You might have read about it in Vogue

Figured I'd finally start this thread as I've been putting it off almost as long as I've been putting off finishing this restore. I've loved this game since it came out when I was in middle school and have obsessed about owning it ever since.

I got my chance late last year when a local (Timiskander) put up what I thought was a complete dedicated cab converted over to Tekken Tag (another game I enjoy playing) for sale, I just had to figure out how to get it home (thank you Tighe). I was taking a major gamble buying just off pictures but i was pretty sure i saw some tell tale signs that spinal was hiding under that paint.


100_1968 by Broodwich518, on Flickr

I did the Control panel box first, the sides are a little rough but nothing that can't be fixed.


before by Broodwich518, on Flickr


98% by Broodwich518, on Flickr

The CPO was un savable thanks to the Namco overlay but lucky for me I had scored a mint replacement of DJ DNS a few months earlier.

I'm not sure why but someone decided the cabinet needed some some screws at some point, these couldn't stay


this side was the one with the damage by Broodwich518, on Flickr

Once removed I moved inside and used my finish nailer to properly do what the screws were doing. In doing so I found the marquee light hanging inside in 2-3 pieces as well as the p2 side speaker had it's spade terminals ripped right off the speaker cone and would need to be replaced.


Also Tight by Broodwich518, on Flickr
 
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Strippers RULE!

So onto the paint stripping. It takes a long time but you get what you put in, I spent about 4-5 hours on each side maybe more and here's the results I got. (more pictures available on flickr (Video at the end of this post))


Nope KI Only today by Broodwich518, on Flickr


85% by Broodwich518, on Flickr

100% stripped


Done by Broodwich518, on Flickr

And after touch ups (this takes about an hour or longer per side, then another 30+/- minutes to do the edges all the way around depending on the color(s) on the machine), this is the finishing touch on the art and is equally as important as how you strip the machine.


Side 1 touched by Broodwich518, on Flickr


and side 2


photo 2 (iphone) by Broodwich518, on Flickr


Pre Touch up P1 Side by Broodwich518, on Flickr

and touched up:


side 2 stripped and touched up by Broodwich518, on Flickr

Lil video about how I stripped the paint.
 
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I got a replacement speaker as well as some other parts for the bill stacker from Arcadeboneyard (Kittybeater)


speaker replaced by Broodwich518, on Flickr


photo by Broodwich518, on Flickr


CP cleanup someone put some IL sticks with leaf switches in with tekken, they were... interesting (basically happ supers w/ leaf micro switches)


Tekken Tag CP Underside by Broodwich518, on Flickr

it's the little details


Underside Finished by Broodwich518, on Flickr

Nice blue IL sticks from Paradise Arcade buttons from Bob Roberts


Finished! by Broodwich518, on Flickr

This is the insides when the meat was fresh


Pre Cleaning by Broodwich518, on Flickr

And after, it was filthy and the monitor wiring was pretty bad. (it still needs some minor work but it's a lot better). The main power connector for the monitor was missing 1/2 of it's molex connector (as i'm 100% positive this isn't the original monitor) thankfully I still had a connector or two from Twistywristarcade (Riptor) the pins were held in with electrical tape. Every one of my machines gets a new power cord installed as well, i remove the power brick/Isolation Transformer and replace it all the way up to the line filter, it's quite easy just 1 joint needs to be de-soldered and re-soldered the hardest part is getting the grommet back in but it gets easier the more you do.


100_2040 by Broodwich518, on Flickr


100_0922 by Broodwich518, on Flickr
 
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The factory kick harness was cut lucky for me i had another 15 pin midway connector I had gotten in a lot of connectors off of Bill Burger (gameboardsOC)


photo 1 by Broodwich518, on Flickr

Compact Flash thanks to the originator Scott@Revisionx (thekillerinstinctproject) and the fan bracket is an original midway one from another harness I had.


photo 4 by Broodwich518, on Flickr

For some reason a previous owner decided they wanted to hack into the RGB/sync wires then electrical tape them up. Here I've started repairing and replacing the tape with shrink wrap. Also notice the T-Taps in the power and ground line at the edge connector. Those were conveniently there already and just asking to have the cooling fan connected to them.


I hate electrical tape by Broodwich518, on Flickr


Some of the damage on the front of the machine and how I went about fixing it. The side and front were splitting/delaminating pretty well.


gluing by Broodwich518, on Flickr


100_2023 by Broodwich518, on Flickr

As you can see I pulled the black vinyl off the front of the machine, It wasn't hard to do but was nerve racking as I had never taken such drastic measures on any of my machines. I got replacement vinyl from Rich (rikitiki) @thisoldgame which is only sold in 12' minimum lengths (fine with me looks like more machines will get this treatment). Now all I need to do is wait for things to warm up so I have some space to work and the bondo will properly dry/cure and the machine will be ready to be finished.


100_2126 by Broodwich518, on Flickr


photo 4 (2) by Broodwich518, on Flickr
 
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My KI1 board repaired by Chad@arcadecup (arcadecup), I added the heat sink as it was missing when I bought it about 7+ years ago.


100_1106 by Broodwich518, on Flickr

KI2 repaired by Ray channelmanic (arcadecomponents.com)


100_0834 by Broodwich518, on Flickr


100_2236 by Broodwich518, on Flickr



If you ever see this on boot up you'll want to talk to one of the two guys above


KI 1 bad screen by Broodwich518, on Flickr

LEDs in your coin door lights because why not? (I do this on all my games including older ones w/ bayonets)


LED Coin Door Lights Standard by Broodwich518, on Flickr









teaser


Ki Proto by Broodwich518, on Flickr
 
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I'm lovin it! I think it's amazing how well the side art held up.

A lot of work went into this restore. I really enjoy threads like this because it gives me motivation. Also happy to see another KI restored to former glory.

Kick ass, my friend. Kick ass.
 
This thread makes me want to finish mine. I think you did that on purpose. :D
 
Bro,

Nicely done.
Now I want a KI cab. How much?

ugh not cheap, unless you get lucky and find one local. they can run you anywhere from $350-900, this one i have about $500-$600 +/- into right now.

About time you made this thread! Guys, Broody did a incredible job on this cabinet, it is amazing.

I have seen this in person.

thanks buddy, and thanks for dropping it off! :D

I'm lovin it! I think it's amazing how well the side art held up.

A lot of work went into this restore. I really enjoy threads like this because it gives me motivation. Also happy to see another KI restored to former glory.

Kick ass, my friend. Kick ass.

Thanks, yea not all have nice art under the paint but a lot of the time it does protect the original art well. Every cab is different as the paint is never the same so it's always fun :D

This thread makes me want to finish mine. I think you did that on purpose. :D

You should, and I might have :D you know your always gonna want one if you let it go.
 
VERY nice job! Great turn out indeed. Need to get one of these someday to set next the my KI2.
 
I AM SOOOOO JEALOUS!! nice job man.. also i need to get a ki board i have fixed. i get the white cpu screen. so i dunno if its worth getting fixed. expenisve u think?
 
VERY nice job! Great turn out indeed. Need to get one of these someday to set next the my KI2.

thanks, yea no ki2 for me unless it's to good to pass up, i'll be happy with a 2 in 1 switcher i think (as long as i can find one that doesn't power both boards at the same time.)

Beautiful just Beautiful, welcome to the club ;)

I should have been in this club almost a decade ago.... Distractions and other silly decisions (i settled with a working board then... not now)

I AM SOOOOO JEALOUS!! nice job man.. also i need to get a ki board i have fixed. i get the white cpu screen. so i dunno if its worth getting fixed. expenisve u think?

a repair is always cheaper than a replacement. and they're always worth getting fixed :D

glad to hear from ya buddy, haven't seen you post in a while/heard from you.
 
SWEET!!! I keep forgetting about this sub-forum and almost missed this one...

Absolutely loving how it came out! I just need some minor cosmetic touch-ups and to recap the monitor and mine is done but I needed a break to work on MK2 for awhile. Seeing this makes me want to switch back to KI though :D.
 
Wow...SICK job, dude! My Marvel vs Capcom is actually a converted Killer Instinct cab. I can definitely see the Nintendo and Killer Instinct graphics hidden underneath on the sides and front of the control panel. Makes me wanna see if Spinal is hiding underneath the sides...
 
Wow...SICK job, dude! My Marvel vs Capcom is actually a converted Killer Instinct cab. I can definitely see the Nintendo and Killer Instinct graphics hidden underneath on the sides and front of the control panel. Makes me wanna see if Spinal is hiding underneath the sides...

tumblr_mb6stm2WAW1r8lhs5o1_400.gif


 
my KI was a Tekken 3 when I first got it. as such, the "Nintendo" and "Killer Instinct" underneath that sea of black paint tempted me as well. I don't have pics though, I did my citristrip job very crudely with a razor blade. was the first I ever did and it took a lot of work. I'm happy with it. :D

that game is my prized possession within my collection.
 
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