My First Restoration Thread: Vs. Unisystem (The Goonies)

nesjess

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Vs. Unisystem (The Goonies) - HEY YOU GUYS!

With all the great restorations in here, I had much inspiration to do my first "restoration thread" on my current project. I didn't do it for my first two projects, but to be honest, I'm guessing most guys in here don't care much for a Nintendo restoration. Regardless, I'm excited I'll be able to document it every step of the way and I hope you all enjoy. I'll try to post as many photos as I can along the way.

Long story short, I acquired it from a lady who won it at some booster club auction for her kids little league back in the 80s. It is the dreaded particle board cabinet that is a DK Jr. that was converted to a Vs. Super Mario Bros. Fortunately, it is exceptionally solid for a particle board cabinet.

There are definitely edges that have chipped or broken off, but the offset T-molding is still intact with no serious damage. Someone tried to glue the bezel in place so there is dried up glue all along the edges of where the bezel is put into place. That's going to take some time to clean up and sand away. All of the inside parts are working and in good condition. There was the usual dust and garbage, but no signs of any mice or rats so that was a plus. There is some black residue all over the front of the inside from something that exploded inside the cabinet. I'm not sure what it is, but the source of the explosion seems to be from the speaker area. Someone may have spilled a drink or something because it doesn't look like it came from any of the parts. The coin door is in good condition with no serious dents and the coin mechs are functional. The faceplates need to be replaced so I ordered replacements directly from Asahi Seiko.

All in all, I can't wait to get this cab all cleaned up. I've decided I'm going to make it a Vs. The Goonies cabinet. I think the orange will work really well with Vs. The Goonies though. If you can't tell already, The Goonies is one of my all-time favorite movies. I know many people don't find this game that enjoyable, but I think it's pretty cool. The graphics and music definitely push the nostalgia factor for me. The only piece I'll be missing when I'm done is the cardboard topper. I've only seen it pop up on ebay once in a kit that I didn't want to pay for, but I'm hoping it pops up again sometime individually. If you happen to have one for sale, please let me know.

So far, here is what I've done in chronological order:

- Removed back door, bezel, marquee and serial plate. Back door was screwed on so I'll just need to fill the holes and install a new lock.
- Removed control panel. Cleaned and replaced buttons. The CPO is in surprisingly great shape. There is only a little fading on the black. All done and ready to be used.
- Acquired Vs. The Goonies and NOS marquee.
- Acquired NOS Vs. Unisystem side art.
- Acquired Vs. The Goonies serial sticker and Red Tent instruction card.
- Started applying bondo to holes and damaged wood.
- Removed monitor.
- Removed coin door and coin mechs.

Please feel free to comment or make suggestions along the way. "It's good enough for me." :)

Below are the initial pictures of the cabinet when I brought it home:
 

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The control panel:
 

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Vs. The Goonies:
 

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NOS Vs. side art and Vs. Goonies fired up:
 

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Disassembly and initial bondo:
 

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Removing coin door and coin mechs:
 

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Looks great Jess! I certainly can't speak for everyone, but I appreciate ALL these great restos. Nothing wrong with Nintendo cabs! I agree that the orange will be a great color for the Goonies. That NOS sideart looks really nice, this is going to be a nice vs. cab when you're done. Hey you guys!! ;)
 
Hey Jess,
Lookin' good so far. It looks like you're well on your way to an awesome restore.
Ya gotta love Nintendo restores, they're awesome!!!
 
Nice...keep the pics coming. You can never have too many pics! Great choice for a conversion...nice to see something different.
 
Here are a few more pics of the bondo I applied to the corners and such. Also, a shot of all the insides sitting on the coffee table in my gameroom. You may notice I have the light gun there. I'm just going have it available to attach through the coin door opening if I want to swap out Vs. The Goonies with Vs. Duck Hunt or Vs. Hogan's Alley. I feel it takes away from the aesthetic appeal of the cab if I install the gun kit as it won't be a "dedicated" Vs. The Goonies cab if I do IMO.

I'm determined to take an hour or so in the morning to sand. Once the cabinet is all sanded down, I'll move on to installing the new wood base that I built out of oak. Then finally, the easiest part for me, painting and reassembly.

I'm feeling motivated and excited. :D
 

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Then finally, the easiest part for me, painting and reassembly.

I'm feeling motivated and excited. :D

For now...wait until that paint dries, then you decide to touch up and re-sand...then you paint again...then it's not quite right, so you do it again... and so on...

J/K ;) I'm sure it will end up great....just don't rush the sanding too much! Primer is your friend!
 
But of course my friend. I was just giving a brief rundown of what I plan to do. When I say paint, I mean priming, sanding, painting, the whole nine yards. I don't mind all of that as it is pretty straightforward and less messy than sanding. I hate sanding. The dust is what kills me. :)
 
Sanded about 75% this morning. Going to fill in any little details I missed and finish sanding tomorrow.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I hate sanding. :D
 
So I've been hard at work with the downtime I've had while the baby's been asleep. I feel I've gotten through the hard part of my restore in that I've almost finished sanding the cabinet and installing the new wood base. Everything else should be all downhill from here.

Things I've done the past couple of days:

- Sanded whole cabinet except the back edges and back door.
- Started wire brushing marquee bracket and coin door.
- Removed old wooden base and repaired damaged areas.
- Installed new wooden base using brackets and wood glue.

Things left to do:

- Finish sanding cabinet.
- Clean cabinet inside and out.
- Prime and paint cabinet.
- Finish sanding and painting marquee bracket and coin door.
- Clean monitor, power supply, and wiring harness.
- Reassemble cabinet and install side art.

Pictures of progress to follow.
 
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After a long sanding session, removing old wooden base, and repairing damaged bottom edges:
 

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Attaching new wooden base:
 

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Chugging along...

Things I got done last night and today:

- Finish sanding cabinet.
- Clean cabinet inside and out.
- Primed cabinet and started painting.

Things left to do:

- Finish painting cabinet and do any necessary touch ups.
- Finish sanding and painting marquee bracket and coin door.
- Clean monitor, power supply, and wiring harness.
- Reassemble cabinet and install side art.

Pictures of progress to follow.
 
Some before and after photos of priming process and initial coat of paint.

Also, a random shot of the coin door and marquee top bracket after some initial wire brushing.
 

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A shot of the back where I repaired the wood where the lock goes. The back door had been torn out leaving a chunk missing. Looks like it was never broken. :)

Also, a shot of the top of the cabinet where a bunch of wood had chipped off at the edge.

Lastly, a before and after of one of the corners I repaired.
 

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