Restoring Coin Doors

D_Harris

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I'm looking into what is involved in restoring a couple of Ms. Pac-man coin doors.

I'm not sure if it is worth it or how available all the parts are to fix them up, but below is a picture of the worst one.

Since I've never done this before, it would be a pain putting one back together after taking it apart. (That includes taking the frame off the cabinet).

Outside of hammering the dents out, finding the missing parts, and stripping and powder coating, is it worth it or should I look for new coin doors?

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 

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Since you have dents on the face of the door, I'd get a new door.
Frames are not a big deal, I have lots of spares. And I don't think anyone will powder coat it with higher quality product, than I do for the price either.
Let me know if you decide to do it.
 
That door isn't actually that bad. The coin shute piece will be impossible to find/replace, no answer on that one. The Midway badge should be Goofoff'ed to show the complete badge, it can be saved but it needs work.
After Goofoff, I would strip the door down and maybe even bondo it smooth. Prime a few times, sand and paint. I like Rustoleum Hammertone black for coin doors. When it is applied just right, it has an almost metal like finish, without powder coating!
 
That door isn't actually that bad. The coin shute piece will be impossible to find/replace, no answer on that one. The Midway badge should be Goofoff'ed to show the complete badge, it can be saved but it needs work.
After Goofoff, I would strip the door down and maybe even bondo it smooth. Prime a few times, sand and paint. I like Rustoleum Hammertone black for coin doors. When it is applied just right, it has an almost metal like finish, without powder coating!

Yes, the only real dent is just below the right coin exit.

Since I'm selling this particular cabinet when I finish restoration and there are no new coin mechanisms available, are there any other options?

I have Goop-Off! and Goof-Off! Are you sure that any of these will work to take the black spray paint off of the Midway badge? (And it appears that once these are scratched up, there isn't much that can be done for them).

Now I have the Rustoleum hammered and well as the Appliance epoxy, but I'm aiming for assembly-line new. And the finish has to be durable since the machine will be going to someone else, which is why I was considering powder coating.

Lastly, I have a Nintendo coin door, as well as some marquee brackets that have to get done. And that is just to start, since I have to take a look at a couple of my cocktail Midways, as well as a Sega, two Williams, and four Atari machines. (But the priority is on all the appropriate metal parts of one Ms. Pac-man and one Donkey Kong machine).

I just need an idea of what these will cost.

cabsR4pimps, Not including shipping have you charted the costs for each type of coin door, as well as brackets and control panels? And what kind of stripping should be done before sending you the items? (I have a lot of decisions to make). :D

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
Yes. Goof Off (NOT Goo Gone)WILL remove spray paint. It will remove almost ANYTHING, so be careful where you use it. It will destroy plastic!
Hammertone isn't powder coating but it is quite durable when it has about a week to harden up.
 
Yes, the only real dent is just below the right coin exit.

Since I'm selling this particular cabinet when I finish restoration and there are no new coin mechanisms available, are there any other options?

I have Goop-Off! and Goof-Off! Are you sure that any of these will work to take the black spray paint off of the Midway badge? (And it appears that once these are scratched up, there isn't much that can be done for them).

Now I have the Rustoleum hammered and well as the Appliance epoxy, but I'm aiming for assembly-line new. And the finish has to be durable since the machine will be going to someone else, which is why I was considering powder coating.

Lastly, I have a Nintendo coin door, as well as some marquee brackets that have to get done. And that is just to start, since I have to take a look at a couple of my cocktail Midways, as well as a Sega, two Williams, and four Atari machines. (But the priority is on all the appropriate metal parts of one Ms. Pac-man and one Donkey Kong machine).

I just need an idea of what these will cost.

cabsR4pimps, Not including shipping have you charted the costs for each type of coin door, as well as brackets and control panels? And what kind of stripping should be done before sending you the items? (I have a lot of decisions to make). :D

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

I will do that door and get it as straight as I can and do the brackets and control panel for $75 plus return shipping. After I see the pieces and it turns out you need another frame or chute, I will toss that in also. I would like the door totally stripped down of hardware. Thanks,
 
I will do that door and get it as straight as I can and do the brackets and control panel for $75 plus return shipping. After I see the pieces and it turns out you need another frame or chute, I will toss that in also. I would like the door totally stripped down of hardware. Thanks,

Well, wouldn't it be better to try and get a lot done at once? I'm trying to estimate the cost so I can determine how much is best to send at one time.

The minimum would be to include the coin door and perhaps marquee brackets from my Donkey Kong cabinet also, to start. (Those would be the two machines I'm selling in my signature below).

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
You can also go medieval on it like I do and use a hammer and anvil. (both purchased at Harbor Freight). It's a no-brainer. all you have to do is lay the part you want flat across the flat part of the anvil and hammer away. No messing with bondo. I've resurrected some real turd coin doors like the one you have including, with some finesse, the chrome coin chutes on the outside that someone tried to get into with a screwdriver. I have pictures somewhere if you would care to see them.
 
Well, wouldn't it be better to try and get a lot done at once? I'm trying to estimate the cost so I can determine how much is best to send at one time.

The minimum would be to include the coin door and perhaps marquee brackets from my Donkey Kong cabinet also, to start. (Those would be the two machines I'm selling in my signature below).

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

Yes the more you send the cheaper it will be.
 
Everything you've always wanted to know about Midway coin doors:

http://home.comcast.net/~mtpacifico/_kenskorner/files/Midway Coin Door - Ms Pac Door.pdf

These threads show you how to restore the door (has step-by-step pictures too):

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69930.0
I read his Donkey Kong restoration thread twice. And had forgotten I had read that one also.

The trick will be getting the Midway coin mechanisms and parts, since they are not made any more.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
Really cool timing for this thread. It would be super cool to keep progress moving forward with my Ms Pac so when spring gets here I can just worry about the rest of the cabinet prep and re-stenciling. I know powder coating would give the parts the best look. :)
 
how are the midway logo plates taken off safely(if they aren't too bad)? they are rivoted on i believe and is there another way to easily rivot them back...if so, what do you guys recommend for rivoting?

also, do the AS version come with holes? they dont look like they do.

thanks!
 
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