(Topic ID: 275437)

Warning!!! Classsic Arcades on Ebay Overlays

By SantaEatsCheese

3 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 39 posts
  • 21 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 3 years ago by Jmckune
  • Topic is favorited by 1 Pinsider

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Topic poll

“Warning!!! Classsic Arcades on Ebay Overlays”

  • Live with it, the overlay is fine and will only ever bother you (the person playing it) 5 votes
    19%
  • You've already done half the work... bite the bullet and do a full playfiled swap. 22 votes
    81%

(27 votes)

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#1 3 years ago

Edit: They just refused a refund.

I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves, but I am disapointed in the overlay I received from Classic Arcades. The material quality is fantastic and I managed to install it correctly in one shot (so far as I can tell) but the overlay is missing details clearly advertised in their listing. Look at the city inserts. There are no graphics in them... no statue of liberty, no big ben etc. Look at the keylines around the bottom cities... they are crooked. Look at the difference in color on the red between the original and the replacement. Look at the 2 tone color of the area around the inserts then look at mine. Most everything lines up perfectly, but the T an I letters have the insert hole misalligned. The inserts around it cannot be perfectly alligned while this one is crooked. That can't be an installation error.

I wouldn't keep this, but I'd already sanded my playfield in preparation for installation so now I'm commited and have now installed. I've initiated a refund through ebay but they want me to return the item so I guess I'm screwed and will live with it or go in deeper and do a full playfield swap.

If you do an overlay:

1. Wait to sand until you receive your product to ensure it really is correct.
2. The full top side tear down took about 6 hours for me.
3. Be aware you have to "cut this out" once installed. Count for another 2 hours.
4. Give it another 2 hours to remove the goo from the areas you cut out.

I can cut my losses here and do a playfield swap, but the whole point on this was to cut down on the time required. I have a playfield protector I was going to just throw on top and call it a day. I'll decide soon.
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19
#2 3 years ago

Need to swap in a new playfield, lesson learned. These cheap, easy, quick facelift products coming out lately are a poor substitute for putting in the proper amount of work and quality parts for a good end result.
Those overlays and playfield protectors play bad anyway (in my opinion)

#3 3 years ago

I have an AFM playfield (Mirco dust free) you can buy if so inclined.

#4 3 years ago

Classic Arcades has refused my refund as the product is used. I have invited them to respond to this thread. I will be filing a dispute with ebay, paypal, and emailing planetary pinball to let them know the quality that their licensor is providing. If anyone wants to see the original ad listing, it's here. I have additionally changed the title of this tread.

ebay.com link: MIDWAY ATTACK FROM MARS Pinball Machine Playfield Overlay

#5 3 years ago

Gonna do things right. A local pinsider reached out to me and I just picked up this 2012 run repro. There is a small printing error on the right side (missing black under the jackpot) you'd have to point out to notice but I'm doing my first playfield swap.

Classic Arcades is now trying to send me another decal instead of a refund despite my protest since I contacted the license holder, ebay, paypal, etc.. I got a response from planetary the message I sent is being elevated planetary is atleast aware of the issue.

With that all said... it looks like I'm the first person in the history of overlay installs to not have wrinkling issues. With that said I installed dry and did not clear coat.

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#6 3 years ago

Come on man, you spend a lot of time on the forum; do a search!

#7 3 years ago

You get what you pay for, I used one on one of my buddy's HS.... its literally peeling off the playfield 6 months later..... and I cleared it also .....their stuff is trash

#8 3 years ago

If it ain’t a hardtop or a vetted repro playfield, I’m not really interested. With a high caliber game like AFM though, it deserves a proper playfield swap, IMO.

I can completely sympathize with you though. I bought a whirlwind that had a playfield that looked like it was drug out of a lake, and I missed the boat on the first run of CPR playfields, and I wasn’t willing to accept the flaws of the second run. I ended up buying a decent secondhand playfield and sent it out to Captain Neo for restoration, and swapped that in. I was underwater on the game financially, and I’ll likely never see a return on it if I ever sell it, BUT I have a nicer-than-new original clearcoated playfield in my whirlwind, and there’s something to be said about that. You definitely get what you pay for in the end.

#9 3 years ago
Quoted from TheLaw:

Come on man, you spend a lot of time on the forum; do a search!

You live you learn.

Quoted from tdiddy:

You get what you pay for, I used one on one of my buddy's HS.... its literally peeling off the playfield 6 months later..... and I cleared it also .....their stuff is trash

I had/have a playfield protector on order for exactly this reason.

Quoted from mbaumle:

If it ain’t a hardtop or a vetted repro playfield, I’m not really interested. With a high caliber game like AFM though, it deserves a proper playfield swap, IMO.
I can completely sympathize with you though. I bought a whirlwind that had a playfield that looked like it was drug out of a lake, and I missed the boat on the first run of CPR playfields, and I wasn’t willing to accept the flaws of the second run. I ended up buying a decent secondhand playfield and sent it out to Captain Neo for restoration, and swapped that in. I was underwater on the game financially, and I’ll likely never see a return on it if I ever sell it, BUT I have a nicer-than-new original clearcoated playfield in my whirlwind, and there’s something to be said about that. You definitely get what you pay for in the end.

This new playfield is SHINNY!

The old one may serve as a wall-hanger.

Feedback making it's way through Planetary Pinball (the licencor) now.

Sent Classic Arcades a refund request instead of a replacement.

As for my for Classic Arcades and their response...

#10 3 years ago

Classic arcades always last resort. Expect crap. Get what you pay for.

On a game
Like Afm where there are better options that’s the way to go.

#11 3 years ago

PPS should have ended their deal with Classic arcades long ago. Still selling junk.

12
#12 3 years ago
Quoted from jj44114:

PPS should have ended their deal with Classic arcades long ago. Still selling junk.

PPS could give a rat's ass. Rick is getting his cut/fees, so why should he bother?

#13 3 years ago
Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:

This new playfield is SHINNY!

Nothing better than a SHINNY playfield!

#14 3 years ago

Classic Arcades has been producing half-ass crap product for what, 20 years?
Dozens have had problems with stencils that don't line up, plastics that break like crackers, and overlays that have artwork stitched together from multiple scans.
Dozens have complained to Planetary about him and nothing changes because they get their cut.
CA is a stain on their business and the hobby.

Glad you got a replacement pf, you'll likely not get a refund on the overlay.

#15 3 years ago

Got the controlled lamps and GI in minus the pops. Its a pain but not that bad. Flashers are next. Got a note back from planetary that the quality I received was unsat and they reached out to Classic Arcades, told them as much, and to work with me. Its something. Worst case scenario Classic Arcades only got a call from the licensor.

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#16 3 years ago

I have been watching your progress with the AFM and the repair you did (pretty good work btw). When I heard the word "overlay" I got worried as I do not hear good things about those results. This was probably a difficult route to go for a playfield swap but I think you will be very happy with that machine with a new playfield. The end result will be awesome and it looks like you are working quickly! You already had the topside torn down so you were well on your way!

Good luck getting to the finish line!

#17 3 years ago

Did you unravel the wiring harness??

#18 3 years ago
Quoted from Jmckune:

Did you unravel the wiring harness??

I'm working on it. I'm doing the swap one J connector at a time to keep things from getting out of hand.

#19 3 years ago
Quoted from SantaEatsCheese:

I'm working on it. I'm doing the swap one J connector at a time to keep things from getting out of hand.

Sooooo...what you're saying is what you have now isn't out of hand?

#20 3 years ago

Pics like that is why im scared to death to do two playfield swaps i have lined up.

#21 3 years ago
Quoted from Bryan_Kelly:

Sooooo...what you're saying is what you have now isn't out of hand?

I see a wtb AFM wire harness post in someone's future.

#22 3 years ago
Quoted from Phat_Jay:

Pics like that is why im scared to death to do two playfield swaps i have lined up.

There is absolutely no reason why that should happen when doing a playfield swap.

#23 3 years ago
Quoted from Bryan_Kelly:

There is absolutely no reason why that should happen when doing a playfield swap.

I wondered what was going on there. I think it will be a bit of a bear to get the wire ties all back into place properly.

AFM is one of the easier swaps I've done that's for sure. A lot of the more modern games with lamp boards tend to be easier.

#24 3 years ago
Quoted from Phat_Jay:

Pics like that is why im scared to death to do two playfield swaps i have lined up.

Quoted from Jigs:

I see a wtb AFM wire harness post in someone's future.

Quoted from Bryan_Kelly:

There is absolutely no reason why that should happen when doing a playfield swap.

I see no reason why this will be an issue. Im only 3 or so hours into the bottom side and only had to de solder and re solder one wire. I will clean up the wires once its all in. Im guessing I will be finding out in the next few days.

#25 3 years ago

Wow that’s I don’t know what to say. I have never done a swap like that with the wiring. I just don’t know what to say. Should have just took it complete from one playfield to the next.

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#26 3 years ago

OP you should be careful with the bubble wrap on the clear coat as well. I'm aware that the pf is likely cured after 8 years, but plastic bubble wrap is always a no go on a pf. It can telecast into the pf clear.

You can lay it on brown Kraft paper if needed.

#27 3 years ago
Quoted from tonyhoff1:

Wow that’s I don’t know what to say. I have never done a swap like that with the wiring. I just don’t know what to say. Should have just took it complete from one playfield to the next.
[quoted image]

Quoted from Jigs:

OP you should be careful with the bubble wrap on the clear coat as well. I'm aware that the pf is likely cured after 8 years, but plastic bubble wrap is always a no go on a pf. It can telecast into the pf clear.
You can lay it on brown Kraft paper if needed.

Well. You live you learn. I had already done the topside teardown for the overlay.

I will put the playfield straight on the cloth blanket when I get home. The plan is to just populate the bottoming before moving it to the cabinet and doing the topside.

#28 3 years ago
Quoted from Phat_Jay:

Pics like that is why im scared to death to do two playfield swaps i have lined up.

Well this is a "how not to do things" picture, so factor that in.

#29 3 years ago
Quoted from Phat_Jay:

Pics like that is why im scared to death to do two playfield swaps i have lined up.

Dont be. They arent as bad as you think (some exceptions are bound to be..I'm guessing WH2O and ST:TNG come to most people's minds).

Never ever have I seen the harness look like that. This is an "exceptional case" on an AFM. Dont let this example scare you. Overcome your fears, rise to the challenge, and prove to yourself that you can do it.

#30 3 years ago
Quoted from NPO:

Dont be. They arent as bad as you think (some exceptions are bound to be..I'm guessing WH2O and ST:TNG come to most people's minds).
Never ever have I seen the harness look like that. This is an "exceptional case" on an AFM. Dont let this example scare you. Overcome your fears, rise to the challenge, and prove to yourself that you can do it.

exactly!!!!! Then when your done it’s like wow I did it lol

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#31 3 years ago
Quoted from Phat_Jay:

Pics like that is why im scared to death to do two playfield swaps i have lined up.

Playfield swaps are easy, especially games of this era. Don’t be scared.

#32 3 years ago

Less scary with a few zip ties? Still lots to do.

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#33 3 years ago

GI, controlled lighting, and switches in. All that's left is hardware and the vuks. About 4 hours in on the bottom side. This is going to happen!

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#34 3 years ago
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#35 3 years ago

I'm surprised anyone would ever use this product.....

#36 3 years ago
Quoted from PtownPin:

I'm surprised anyone would ever use this product.....

I am obviously not a fan. However. I would recommend this product provided:

1. The playfield is too far gone for touchup.
2. There are no repro or substitute playfields available.
3. You wait until product is in hand to verify quality. Fit, and finish of product prior to doing any prep work. Demand refund or exchange if not perfect.

In the end I'm guessing my swap will be about 4 hours longer than the prep work for the overlay would have been.

#37 3 years ago

So much better finishing the flashers and solenoids. Braid is staying together on those 15982072189107858849795804194974 (resized).jpg15982072189107858849795804194974 (resized).jpg15982072189107858849795804194974 (resized).jpg15982072189107858849795804194974 (resized).jpg

#38 3 years ago

Here is the old playfield fully stripped with the overlay fully so you can see what I was talking about the classic arcades inserts missing art. Gonna be my new wallhanger.

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#39 3 years ago

When I swapped my whirlwind I did everything at once. It was very very easy to just follow the main bundle along the correct path and just lay out into position the switches, lamps and coils.

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