Restoration must haves

ekalb

Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
321
Reaction score
4
Location
harwich, Massachusetts
I am about to restore a few of my games and before I get started I wanted to know what people can't live without in the restoration process. I just want to make sure I dont overlook anything that could make my life easier.

Heat gun
Bondo
Naval jelly for rust
Wire brush
Etc...
 
Last edited:
electric sander... 60-150 grit

foam roller
I use flat paint- others dont
I use lexol- it mixes with paint to have no brush marks and roll marks....not needed but comes out nice
female connectors

patience- long ass process to bondo sand bondo sand bondo sand...piant paint paint

but very gratifying.


good luck
 
Air Compressor, Damp cloth rags, Denatured alcohol, brush attachment of vacuum, paint stir'ers, furniture dolly, flash light/lead light, citristrip/mostenboks, nail/staple gun (there's lots more but that's just what's flying off the top of my head).
 
When I did my ms pacman, I started with 60 grit discs to get off the old side art, and then I think something a bit higher grit to smooth it out a little afterwards if necessary.

For cleaning/polishing buttons and joysticks, I'll do 220 or 320 grit if there's some deeper stuff, then 2000 grit to smooth everything out, and then rubbing compound (unless I think it will stain the plastic) and wax. I've used this to clean up my DK buttons, atari logo joysticks, and the monroe joysticks on my rampage and have been very happy with the results.

For control panel bolts, I lock them in the drill and hit them with some sandpaper and/or steel wool to get off paint and rust. If they need to be repainted, prime and paint with black enamel paint. If bare, polish them up with some brasso. If the rust goes beyond the head and steel wool isn't getting it off, I'll just order new bolts.

And one of the biggest things for me was replacing my cordless drill with a corded drill. No more farting around with dead batteries, plug it in and i'm good to go. I'm never that far from an outlet anyways, so cordless just wasn't worth the hassle.
 
Last edited:
I use a couple different wire brushes attached to a plug in drill.. Best way to clean up cpos once you scrape off all the glue.. Buy new feet for all your games! It's the one thing that most people forget.. Makes all the difference. Coin door bulbs, wire butt connectors, new marquee starters and bulbs.. Or just replace the whole light.. Walmart sells mega cheap lights. Also, print out new $.25 coin inserts..
 
a router and correct bits,flush trim bit and a 1/16 slot cutter,must haves if you want to reproduce parts of a cab and for tmolding slot cutting.

i broke up my water damaged/swollen bosconian and have most of the parts cut and soon i will be painting the bits before reassembly but i wouldnt have been able to do this task without my trusty b&d router and a selection of fine bits.
:)
 
I go through a butt load of razor blades.
Hot glue gun.
A step bit for drilling button holes if needed.
Latex gloves. Don't forget these!
Instead of a flashlight, buy a shop light. The kind that has a hook and a wire cage around the bulb. A 100 watt bulb. Easy to hang inside the cabinet to make your light hands free. First thing i grab after i pull the back door off a cab. Cheap too.
Heat shrink tubing. Never use electrical tape.
Scrap card board. I use it to mix my bondo/ use as a palette.
New power cord. 9 times outta 10 there is no earth ground.
 
Back
Top Bottom