Restore converted Pac-Man?

joetechbob

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I've got a Pac-Man that's been converted into a Dr. Mario. The cabinet is in pretty good shape, the original transformer is in there (along with another one for Dr. Mario) and has a WG monitor chassis installed.

Of course, the whole thing's been painted over (black), there's a different CPO, etc. Is it worth my time/money trying to restore this thing? I would need (at a minimum):

1) CPO and/or CP
2) Joystick and buttons
3) Marquee
4) Bezel
5) Wiring harness
6) Game board(s)
7) Vertical monitor mount

Is it even possible to strip off the black paint without ruining the stenciled artwork?

I guess I could just do a JAMMA/60:1 sub for 5 & 6 if need be...
 
It depends whether you like to play Dr. Mario or Pac-Man, as for the value it's probably worth more as a Pac-Man or even a 60 in 1 than a Dr. Mario. The parts that you need are easy to find, and also you can find many tips on here for restoring your cab. There are stencils for the side art also. I am currently in the process of restoring my own Pac-Man cab which was converted to Big Event Golf. My cab was painted brown (it was really ugly) but I stripped off all the paint and am repainting the whole cab. Even with a 60 in 1 your game might be more fun than a Dr. Mario.
 
Dr. Mario actually seems to be among the more desirable Vs. titles. I would leave it alone if it works and looks decent, and that Vs. Unisystem to Pac-cabinet kit you pulled out of it would inevitably end up on another pac-man cabinet eventually since the control panel won't fit anything else.

Unless you are already sitting on a bunch of specific Pac-Man parts you will spend more money deconverting a no artwork Pac-Man than you would just buying one. Prices seem to have been falling on Pac machines for a few years, but not on the parts themselves.

You probably won't be able to salvage the artwork. I have stripped a lot of cabinets and it seems I can salvage Williams and Atari art every time, but I have never been successful with midway sideart.
 
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Just last month I failed on like my 4th Midway stripping job. This was a Satan's hollow painted black and the citristrip ate through the paint enough to ruin the original artwork in 60 seconds.

tbbk is right, even using citristrip my Pac-man art wasn't salvageable...
 
Do it.

IMAG0002-4-1.jpg

DSC01424.jpg
 
I agree with Phetishboy, you should do the restoration!

Also tbbk, the citristrip did the exact same think to my Pac cab it was really disappointing because the art was in really good shape...
 
Dr. Mario actually seems to be among the more desirable Vs. titles. I would leave it alone if it works and looks decent, and that Vs. Unisystem to Pac-cabinet kit you pulled out of it would inevitably end up on another pac-man cabinet eventually since the control panel won't fit anything else.

Unless you are already sitting on a bunch of specific Pac-Man parts you will spend more money deconverting a no artwork Pac-Man than you would just buying one. Prices seem to have been falling on Pac machines for a few years, but not on the parts themselves.

You probably won't be able to salvage the artwork. I have stripped a lot of cabinets and it seems I can salvage Williams and Atari art every time, but I have never been successful with midway sideart.

No Lie. Even Simple green started to take the original art off my Pac Man.......


ArcadeMaze!
 
It depends whether you like to play Dr. Mario or Pac-Man, as for the value it's probably worth more as a Pac-Man or even a 60 in 1 than a Dr. Mario. The parts that you need are easy to find, and also you can find many tips on here for restoring your cab. There are stencils for the side art also. I am currently in the process of restoring my own Pac-Man cab which was converted to Big Event Golf. My cab was painted brown (it was really ugly) but I stripped off all the paint and am repainting the whole cab. Even with a 60 in 1 your game might be more fun than a Dr. Mario.

I actually do enjoy Dr. Mario--it's one of my favorite games on NES. That said, it doesn't get much love in the game room (from me or visitors) as I have other games that are just more fun/interesting. I also find that the game is a bit annoying when set for free play as it doesn't really run an attract mode and instead just sits on the start screen looping the same music oooover and oooover (should check if there's a dip-switch setting for that :) ).
 
Dr. Mario actually seems to be among the more desirable Vs. titles. I would leave it alone if it works and looks decent, and that Vs. Unisystem to Pac-cabinet kit you pulled out of it would inevitably end up on another pac-man cabinet eventually since the control panel won't fit anything else.

Unless you are already sitting on a bunch of specific Pac-Man parts you will spend more money deconverting a no artwork Pac-Man than you would just buying one. Prices seem to have been falling on Pac machines for a few years, but not on the parts themselves.

You probably won't be able to salvage the artwork. I have stripped a lot of cabinets and it seems I can salvage Williams and Atari art every time, but I have never been successful with midway sideart.

Thanks for the advice. My motivation is definitely much lower if there's no chance of me salvaging the original artwork.

I have no Pac-Man parts...Perhaps my best bet (if I were to decide do the de-conversion) would be to wait for a *really* beat up--but near complete--pac to come up and do a parts swap. Perhaps then I could hit a price point that would justify my purchasing a stencil kit and perhaps a CPO and bezel.
 
I guess I should ask: What's the cheapest you all have been able to pick up a decent pac stencil set for? How have you gone about paint color matching?
 
Thanks for the advice. My motivation is definitely much lower if there's no chance of me salvaging the original artwork.

I have no Pac-Man parts...Perhaps my best bet (if I were to decide do the de-conversion) would be to wait for a *really* beat up--but near complete--pac to come up and do a parts swap. Perhaps then I could hit a price point that would justify my purchasing a stencil kit and perhaps a CPO and bezel.

I have exactly such a Pac in my garage. It had been converted to Arkanoid and red formica attached that was breaking and chipped. I peeled it off and it uncovered the original artwork -- unfortunately it was "roughed up" by some orbital device to provide better adhesion with the pink contact cement. Eventually I got 2 better pac-cabs, but nothing matching Phetishboy's restoration but good enough for cheap-ol-me. One is in the house, other in garage waiting for part wapping since it's a bit better--except for a new base.

So......if you are looking for a SOLID almost-all-plywood Pac cab that will require refinishing, some sanding, bondo (flat filling only) and priming and you'll be ready for your stencils.

As far as parts, I have almost everything to restore it from power, wiring, panels, etc... just finding them will be the hard part.

Ping me for more info :)
 
I too have got one of these poor pac conversions. Mine has woodgrain vinyl all over it with a Vs hogans alley inside. I have looked at it and thought about re-PACing it but there are easier projects in storage and I might sell or move it to the back for a later date. The Vs doesn't work so I'm not planning to leave it as is.
 
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