Restored or no?

westal_sage

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I do appreciate a pristine/new looking restored machine, but I actually prefer them with a little wear and tear - a little "patina". Now I don't want something that's all beat to hell, but a used look somehow gives it a more authentic and nostalgic look - a little character. But I do want A+ monitors and marquees and perfect functionality.

Anybody with me on that, or do you prefer something that looks as cherry as possible?
 
I think restoring a cab to pristine condition is part of the fun of the whole experience. I agree though it loses something....
maybe the stale smell of cigarettes and pizza long gone....I dunno :)
 
It all depends my Asteroids deluxe has some side art damage and I'm to cheap to buy a new set. My centipede has the same issue but the CP and the entire front is perfect. Marble madness I never did anything to it aesthetically same with my NEO GEO red cabinet but the CP does need a good sanding and repainting. but my contra was a full restore from the ground up as well as Rampage. As long as they look clean and nice I can deal with some wear and tear on the games doesn't bother me at all.
 
I like the small dings and stuff. It shows character. It gives the game a life story. I may be a hippie here but I don't mind small imperfections. I want the game to work perfectly and look good on screen and of course have the marquee light up.
 
It depends on what kind of wear/damage there is on a cabinet. I wouldn't do a "restore" unless its pretty bad. I might touch up certain areas. If its really bad, I might do a total teardown and whatnot. I'm not into stencils and using a power painter so I wouldn't want to go that route unless absolutely necessary.
 
I like a used look it brings back memories of the games being enjoyed back in the day.

Beat to hell no, but the used look is ok.

I do like the control panels to look good but not having the skills or money to redo them i live with it.

But they all work like they should that is the most important thing to have rite.

Peace
Buffett
 
i don't mind the wear... as long as its not too bad and doesn't affect play, i prefer original over restored/repro parts in most cases...

that being said i do have some repro stuff... trin spinner and joystick art were missing, ms pac header was totally faded... but i don't mind some cigarette burns on the cpo or gashes on the sides... tight controls and clear monitors is important

- gwarble
 
Yeah, depends. The marks and graffiti on my PC-10's sides are interesting, so I won't be restoring the sides. Everything else needs some love.

What's most important to me is functionality. I need a machine in my line up to run properly before I think about getting deep into cosmetics. The trick here is that that is a never ending cycle ensuring I will never get to the hardcore cosmetic stuff anyways.
 
I don't plan on doing anything to mine that have the original side art. Just prefer keeping them original if they are that way already. For those that have had the original art work painted over, I'll convert back and redo the artwork.
 
I agree. I touched up the paint on my Galaxian a little bit, but I just had to leave some of the wear and tear on the cp. The cp actually has wear marks on it from hands resting on it throughout the years. It just makes me feel like it has a history to it. I also like to leave the Illinois license stickers on them for more of that nostalgic feel.
 
Oh yeah good call out on the license stickers, Ghosty. It's like a badge of honor "I was out there on the beat - maybe you even played me BITD!" haha
 
I think it also depends on where you play your games...garage or unfinished basement=okay for some wear. My basement is completely newly finished, so I any old used yucky stuff down there. Plus, I just like to fix things!
 
I appreciate a restored machine but to me the most important thing is that its working correctly. I tend to get a game working then replace the t-molding and redo the control panel. All my games also get the monitors rebuilt and burned tubes replaced.
I do have artwork and parts to restore most of my games but its one of those backburner things that I will eventually get the urge to do.
 
I'm with Spyridon... The games I currently have in my collection are
all in nice shape. Good enough that I can live with it, but I REALLY
want them all to be pristine with that fresh outa the box look.

I enjoyed doing restoration work. I feel like I am readying the
machine for another 30+ years. Eventually every machine I have
will be restored. Not just cosmetic either. I go through all the
electronics and the monitor. Gonna take me 10 years at this
pace though!
 
I have never restored any of my machines like the beautiful examples that are displayed with pride on this site. I have removed paint from art, added a can of bondo to some of my machines, replaced t-molding, and painted. I guess some of us are like me, hardcore about getting the electronics side of things in shape for the next 30 years.

If the exterior art looks really bad, I'll try some things, like add white paint to a section of missing art that had a lot of white in it. Mostly, I like machines that don't need a lot exterior reconditioning to look acceptable. My "acceptable" leaves side art alone, even if it is a third gone.

My badge of honor is on my 1976 Night Driver that has a 1994 tax sticker!
 
I like and have games that fall in both the like new restored category and the worn in look. Some games will eventually get restored but not all. I'm still a player at heart although at times I enjoy tinkering with games. Nowadays I'm really more motivated to play my games than fix or restore them.
 
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