Newbie DK Questions

2percenter

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This is my first posting here, and I'm knew to restoring games. I just bought a DK blue cabinet that needs some work. I'm trying to get a plan down before I start anything major. I have a few questions about some things that maybe you guys can help me with.

1. My cabinet is a pretty late blue DK (serial number in the 30,000s). The control panel and buttons all look like originals, but the joystick has a red ball on it. I normally only see black ones in pictures, but the red does look like it goes well. Did they ever switch to a red tipped stick?

2. The original marquee light was in place with orignal bulb, but it wasn't working. The reason it wasn't working probably has something to do with the fact that the power cord was cut in half. Is it worth fixing this one or buying another original light, or should I just buy something pretty close from the hardware store?

3. This one's the biggie. The sides of the cabinet have a gouges and there are some BIG holes drilled in the front where I assume a large lock assembly used to be in place. I'd like to clean this up, but I'm not sure if I should just try using touch up paint or sand it all down and put on a new coat.

I am sure I will have many more questions as I go, but I do try to get answers by using the google and searching here first. I just wanted some clearer information on these things as I get going.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
1. My cabinet is a pretty late blue DK (serial number in the 30,000s). The control panel and buttons all look like originals, but the joystick has a red ball on it. I normally only see black ones in pictures, but the red does look like it goes well. Did they ever switch to a red tipped stick?

Nintendo did not use red ball tops, so that is not original. Post a picture and someone can probably tell you what type it is.

2. The original marquee light was in place with orignal bulb, but it wasn't working. The reason it wasn't working probably has something to do with the fact that the power cord was cut in half. Is it worth fixing this one or buying another original light, or should I just buy something pretty close from the hardware store?
Should be an easy fix so I would fix it.

3. This one's the biggie. The sides of the cabinet have a gouges and there are some BIG holes drilled in the front where I assume a large lock assembly used to be in place. I'd like to clean this up, but I'm not sure if I should just try using touch up paint or sand it all down and put on a new coat.
Check out the restoration section. There should be some tips on how to do this. Bondo is your friend here. I wouldn't touch it up as it probably won't look too good. With some time and effort you can have a real nice looking cab.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll post a picture of the stick soon just to know what all I have here.

I have seen a lot of examples of the total re-paints. At first I thought I could just touch it up, but it is pretty badly gouged in enough places to make a redo seem best. I think I just needed someone to tell me to commit to that big of a task.
 
I have another question. Which repro side art is the best? I see lots of sources and the prices have a decent range (from ~$50 to $85 per set). Is there a consensus on which one is best?
 
You'll never get the paint to match, too many variables. Either leave it alone or commit yourself and do a ground up restoration.
Quarterarcade or Mikesarcade have excellent artwork.
 
You'll never get the paint to match, too many variables. Either leave it alone or commit yourself and do a ground up restoration.
Quarterarcade or Mikesarcade have excellent artwork.

I was going to use your very own provided paint code to get as close as I could! I have committed to sanding it down and doing it over at this point.

There's a fairly big price difference between Mikesarcade and quarterarcade so I was uncertain of just buying one because it was cheaper.
 
Tron guy might have repro side art still.
He will have a better price than those other sites.
PM him to find out.
If not there is usually good side art on feebay for a decent price.
I just bought some for $45.00 shipped.
 
Thanks for the help, guys. I just ordered a ton of stuff. Hopefully, I won't mess this up. I will be back with more questions once I try to use some of this stuff, for sure.

Thanks again!
 
I have another question as I get started here. The short board above the control panel seems to have thin vertical grade black laminate on it. This is peeling off and needs to be replaced. I've checked home depot and called wood working stores. Nobody carries this kind of cheap stuff. I think I've found some online, but you can only buy a huge sheet of it. Is there somewhere else I should be looking? I'm not too interested in buying a $70 huge sheet of stuff for a 2'x6" piece.

Or, I guess is there some other method or material I could use to make it look similar? I think I'm going to have to just paint it. It won't have the sharp corners, which will be a downer.
 
I have another question as I get started here. The short board above the control panel seems to have thin vertical grade black laminate on it. This is peeling off and needs to be replaced. I've checked home depot and called wood working stores. Nobody carries this kind of cheap stuff. I think I've found some online, but you can only buy a huge sheet of it. Is there somewhere else I should be looking? I'm not too interested in buying a $70 huge sheet of stuff for a 2'x6" piece.

Or, I guess is there some other method or material I could use to make it look similar? I think I'm going to have to just paint it. It won't have the sharp corners, which will be a downer.

I say just pull the rest of it off carefully and paint it. Sometimes you simply cant economically save everything. Just repaint it black and slap a new instruction decal on there and nobody will know the difference.

Good luck with the restoration. DK was my very first game and I put a lot of time, effort and love into making it what it is now. All I can say is make sure you go slow and be careful. If you paint, let it cure for at least 24 hours between coats and simply have patience. You will be more thrilled with the result when you take your time and do it right. Cant wait to see pics!
 
Well, now I'm well underway. I have 2 more questions for you. Really more just clarification. I think I know the answers, but want to make sure.

1. The bottom rear corners on a DK cabinet are squared off, right? I'm assuming mine are slightly rounded just from abuse.

2. Are there ever wheels on the rear of a DK cabinet? The guy I bought this from muttered something about putting wheels on it, so I assumed he did. They are installed really well, though, so now I'm not so sure.

Again, any further help is appreciated!
 
Well, now I'm well underway. I have 2 more questions for you. Really more just clarification. I think I know the answers, but want to make sure.

1. The bottom rear corners on a DK cabinet are squared off, right? I'm assuming mine are slightly rounded just from abuse.

2. Are there ever wheels on the rear of a DK cabinet? The guy I bought this from muttered something about putting wheels on it, so I assumed he did. They are installed really well, though, so now I'm not so sure.

Again, any further help is appreciated!

The rear corners are supposed to be rounded and wheels came on the cab from the factory. The wheels might have been replaced by the previous owner though.
Post a pic and I will be able to tell you if the wheels are original.
 
The rear corners are supposed to be rounded and wheels came on the cab from the factory. The wheels might have been replaced by the previous owner though.
Post a pic and I will be able to tell you if the wheels are original.

I had every intention to post a picture of those wheels... then my camera died yesterday.


I did some googling (which I should have done more of, I guess...) and found this wheel picture. They look pretty much like that (except without the red). If you say they came with wheels, I am guessing these are they. The wheels are in there pretty solidly.

As far as corners go, I guess I'll just patch up the banged up bits and get them pretty consistently rounded.

Thanks again, jimkirk.
 
That's what I did to mine.
Patched and rounded them to match each other as best I could.
 
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