Robotron serial number preservation?

matman

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Donor 2019, 2023
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I have a robotron cab (donated by gibbous) that I am restoring and i have a couple of questions.

1. i've removed the paint from the sides and plan to re-stencil. Should i go ahead and repaint all the black as well? It looks like it is in good shape, minus a couple of areas which i'd like to fix. removing all the black seems a little excessive. would it look bad just to add another coat of black over the existing.

which leads my to my second question

2. there appears to be a imprinted serial number on the right side front panel (as pictured). Now, the innards of this machine are from another source - so it isn't like all numbers are going to match up, but should i try to preserve this number on the front?

I'm actually not even sure if the imprinted serial number is original? Did Williams do that?

(i have no idea why my picture was rotated on upload)
 

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I'm starting to think my first question is lame. of course i should redo the black. i think my laziness is kicking in and that's not a good state to be in when doing a restore. i work too much.

so i guess the real question is, should i try to keep that serial number on the front or not. i'm starting to think it isn't a big deal to lose it as i have the number on the back panel as well.
 
yeah, it has definitely been painted. whoever painted it, kept the coin doors on an just sprayed over it all.
 
That is an original serial number imprint. Frequently there is another on the left hand side up near the marquee.

While it would be nice historically speaking to preserve the serial number, if it is not going to be restored with matching components, then it depends on how easy it would be to preserve the numbers. The only time it is really important would be on dedicated systems and that depends on the importance you place on such things.

ken
 
When you say "matching components", are you referring to the PCBs as well?

I have original robotron innards as well, salvaged from someone who parted it out for reasons unknown.

my plan is to bring this back to dedicated robotron machine.

thanks for the feedback
 
Yeah, AFAIK, Williams had matching serials on cab, game PCBs and power PCBs. That's the way it is on my Moon Patrol.

Might seem silly, but I'd probably mask off the serial and paint around it. :p
 
I ended up citristripping the front, using mineral spirits to wipe it some more and then sanding down with 100grit (except where the serial number is).

I'll look around for the other serial numbers. So far i've only found 2, the front and the back. Even though my pcb's aren't going to match the cab, it'll be nice to have them preserved.
 

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It took them three attempts to get the serial number right on mine

IMG_8332.jpg
 
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