Sideart opinions .........

Big Arn

Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2008
Messages
239
Reaction score
5
Location
Maryland
When you decide to install new sideart on a cabinet, does the cabinet have to be pristine (ie repainted, repaired, etc), or if the cabinet is in decent enough shape (a few nicks, scratches, etc) do you install the sideart anyway?

I have a few cabinets that are in nice enough shape, but need replacement art.

I know the best results would come from a full restoration, but I was just wondering what most people do.

Thanks!

-- Bruce
 
For me..

For me it depends how bad of shape the cab is in...and what I an doing to it..

If I am installing new vinyl I almost always end up sanding and put primer on the cab...the vinyl always ends up showing all the "hills and valleys" on the cab since the vinyl is just a big "sticker" going on it...

Obviously, if you are re-stynciling..your going to have to smooth out the rough spots and such...

But it really does depend on the cabs original condition...I had a centipede cab I restored for someone last year. The cab was in good condition but the side art was awful. I washed it down with a product I use called QuikSolv and then applied the vinyl from ArcadeShop. I didn't sand it or anything else and it turned out awesome. My neighbor was shocked how good it looked and he was happy so I was happy..

Just my opinion...

Good Luck!

True
 
When you decide to install new sideart on a cabinet, does the cabinet have to be pristine (ie repainted, repaired, etc), or if the cabinet is in decent enough shape (a few nicks, scratches, etc) do you install the sideart anyway?

I have a few cabinets that are in nice enough shape, but need replacement art.

I know the best results would come from a full restoration, but I was just wondering what most people do.

Thanks!

-- Bruce

If you're going to take the time to apply the side art, you should take the time to make sure the cab is in as good a shape as possible. Side art isn't that easy to come by these days, even the repro stuff unless it's very popular.
 
if i am installing sideart or just plain vynil on a cab i prep it like im painting it gloss black. strip to bare wood. fill all imperfections, prime,guide coat, block sand,prime, paint then i do the decal. you see imperfections even if you dont, you know they are there
 
When you decide to install new sideart on a cabinet, does the cabinet have to be pristine (ie repainted, repaired, etc), or if the cabinet is in decent enough shape (a few nicks, scratches, etc) do you install the sideart anyway?

I have a few cabinets that are in nice enough shape, but need replacement art.

I know the best results would come from a full restoration, but I was just wondering what most people do.

Thanks!

-- Bruce

If you are talking about sticker art that does NOT cover the whole cab, then I don't worry about the cab if it is nice enough to start. My DK has some nicks and such, but I'm not repainting the whole thing, just applying new art on it where the old art was. Old art was about 50% gone. Had it been closer to 90% there, I would have just left it as is. I'm a lot less picky these days.

Robert
 
Thanks for the opinions.

One cab in question is Mario Bros. The cabinet is in good shape -- but has some nicks and digs here and there. The sideart is a sticker (Phoenix Arcade), and does not cover the entire side. The present sideart is about 50% there.

The second cab in question is Punchout, which is also in good shape, but again has a few nicks and digs. This one has no sideart at all, but the replacement is also a sticker, which does not cover the whole cab.

-- Bruce
 
You'll feel better if you go all the way. I know I did. It took longer, but it was well worth it:
SSL11487.jpg

PA260015.jpg

As it always is:
SSL11477.jpg

SSL11484.jpg

IMAG0005_1-2.jpg
 
Last edited:
I would...

I know that my Punchout looks great because someone took the time to make sure it was sanded down and done right...so, on that one I would go through the extra effort because the side art is just a strip that doesn't cover much so a lot more of the cab is exposed..

Of course, we are all more anal than the average person who wants a machine, I believe...my neighbor has a PO with no side art, the cpo is half gone, and it a red button where the big blue KO button would be...he doesn't care at all...every time I tell him we should restore it together he gives me a weird look and asks why he would do that...LOL..I couldn't own the machine in that condition! It would drive me nuts! I would NEED to restore it!

True
 
Thanks for all the responses.

Phet, those Nintendo games look AWESOME. I don't think I have the skills to get those type of results, though ........

-- Bruce
 
Back
Top Bottom