Hi!
Sort of new to pinball projects here...

Basically, I have a Chicago Coin Top Ten that is in pretty poor condition:
Backbox: Artwork needs sealing before it flakes away, score reels are gummed up, etc.
Playfield: Sunken/missing plastic inserts everywhere (2 missing - may be in cabinet...), yellowed/dirty art on plastics, worn rubbers and plunger and no ball (easy fixes)
Table: Missing neck, missing legs, wood peeling a tiny bit in front, some small chips in wood, really yellowed "white" paint on sides/front/head
Mechanically: When plugged in: coin lockout coils turn on and stay on (soft hum), pressing start game with credits on wheel and score reels in 0 positions spins score motor once but stops without beginning a game (as in, if you manually activate a switch on the playfield or in the outhole, nothing happens. However, the score motor has stopped spinning...odd...). Also, pretty much anything with a spring is gummed up or otherwise not very springy.

I am planning on spending about 1-2 hours per week for the next two semesters (~25 weeks total) trying to get it up and running. Not looking to do a full restoration or make it look 'new from the factory' - just hoping to save the pin from the dump and make it a "player's" pin. Last year, I fixed a Williams Space Odyssey that had a few moderate problems (ball count and bonus count malfunctions prevented game from starting, maladjusted feature switch, rebuilt plunger/chime unit, replaced rubbers/lights/etc, fixed a rollover button, and other similar challenges). This year, I'll also have 2-3 people working with me who are completely new to the hobby. I'm hoping to convert them into pinball fanatics

Do you think my project is reasonable? Also, any advice regarding the mechanical problems? Lastly, has anyone here built an EM neck before - how is that process?

Thank you in advance for your help and advice. As a college student looking to get more into the hobby, everyone on Pinside has been a godsend!

Sincerely,
lloprete

PS: I can take/post photos if needed. Just let me know

Thank you for your reply!

In regards to "sealing," I am considering using triple thick to preserve whatever artwork is left on the backglass (which is most of it). I'm mainly afraid of more paint flaking off as we move around the machine to fix it up. Just want to keep what's there from disapearing (b/c it's in pretty decent condition). From what I understand, the layer you use triple thick on is permanently preserved, including whatever dirt and stuff you accidentally seal, but you can always add on additional layers if you decide to add paint or transparent film (as some do). I could be wrong, though - I've never done an cosmetic touch-ups (and will save those to the end if I even try any...)

Based on your advice, I think there are a few things to start with:
1. Hunt down designs for a CC pedestal and build one. Also, get legs and bolts for the machine.
2. Clean out all the stepper units so they rotate freely - replace worn out springs as necessary.
3. Read schematics (I have the schematics and parts catalog) to find score motor switch and work at #2's problem from this direction as well.

Later on down the line:
1. Replace missing/sunken inserts
2. New rubbers and lights everywhere and a new ball.
3. Clean up the cabinet, playfield, and backglass (avoiding doing too much touch-up work, since this is my first project pin).
4. If ambitious, try to get the coin mechs to work. Otherwise (99.9% likely), set it up on freeplay.

How does this sound? Reasonable plan of attack?

Thanks again for your advice!

Sincerely,
lloprete

PS: I'll post some pictures in a minute

Here are a few pictures. I've cleaned off the the some of the backbox and got the score reels looking nice (see "before" and "after" photos). However, they still are pretty gummed up and will need to be cleaned more thoroughly. I've also gotten some of the rust off the chime (didn't take an "after" picture). The playfield is in playable and somewhat presentable (when cleaned) shape. The inserts and plastics just need some TLC...

Anyway, let me know if anything in these photos jumps out at you as important or noteworthy - you have plenty more experience than I have!

Thanks,
lloprete

1OverallPin (resized).JPG

2GlassArt (resized).JPG

3BackBefore (resized).JPG

4BackAfter (resized).JPG

4ReelBefore (resized).JPG

5ReelAfter (resized).JPG

6PF (resized).JPG

7Sunken (resized).JPG

8ScoreMotor (resized).JPG

9Chime (resized).JPG

Thank you for your advice regarding the backglass. I will keep a close eye on it as we work on the rest of the machine next semester. As I mentioned in my first post, I am not really interested in cosmetic or accurate restoration. I just want the game to work properly and look reasonable presentable (clean, but not repainted or anything crazy), but you have a good point about the sealant possibly wreaking havoc in the future. As much as I would like to get the machine up and running and preserve its looks, I want it to survive a long time, so I have to be careful to "do things right"

Novus 2 is a great suggestion, amd I'm totally on board with #47 bulbs - I use them in my machines at home wherever possible They're bright enough for me!

Thanks for your help. Will keep you posted on my progress once the semester begins!

-lloprete

Thank you for your words of caution regarding springs. I will definitely clean everything well before messing with the springs.

I have a fear that a few of them might be damaged by rust (the spring below the chime seems way too weak, for instance) - this pinball machine is full of rusty parts and dust On the bright side, I have the parts catalog so I might be able to trace down what springs go where if needed. But, yeah, I'll definitely tread lightly and clean everything before replacing any parts. Often, the old stuff just works

Thanks!

lloprete