(Topic ID: 75836)

Congo cabinet decals restoration - step by step

By hassanchop

10 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 81 posts
  • 38 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 9 years ago by beelzeboob
  • Topic is favorited by 28 Pinsiders

You

Linked Games

Topic Gallery

View topic image gallery

132629.jpg
132630-i.jpg
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 4.02.15 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 4.01.54 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 4.02.30 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 4.01.41 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 4.01.21 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-21 at 7.45.07 AM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.56 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.30 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.20 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.20.32 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.09 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.20.49 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.19.02 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.55 PM.png

There are 81 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 2.
#1 10 years ago

Will post the cabinet decals restore for Congo here.
Thought it would be fun and interesting to show the step by step process.
Almost all the Congos out there have faded colors and damaged art. The green, which is the most important color here turned blue on some machines. Time to put these gorillas back in the jungle:

You can see by the scan that this one will need a lot of work:
congo cabinet 1.jpgcongo cabinet 1.jpg

Some parts of the art are completely gone:
congo cabinet 2.jpgcongo cabinet 2.jpg

The screw holes will have to be restored so we can apply the decals without having to be perfectly aligned:
congo cabinet 3.jpgcongo cabinet 3.jpg

The restore starts..
Step one: Fix all the errors made by the scanner and fill the damaged areas. Sometimes taking pieces of art from one place to another is enough, else a redraw is needed.
Before and after:
congo cabinet before 4 after.jpgcongo cabinet before 4 after.jpg

To be continued...

#2 10 years ago

Excited to see this, my friend is about to embark on doing some of these.

#3 10 years ago

Very Cool indeed.. Hope it turns out really nice. What will use to make the new decals?

#4 10 years ago

New decals would have been my preference too, look forward to seeing how yours progress.

I have attached some pics of a quick restore I did on a friends machine using just a yellow stain pen (from Michaels) and a few sharpies for the eyes/mouth. The only issue is the yellow stain did not soak into the vinyl (cabinet), so can rub off fairly easy. To correct this, I plan on a clearcoat, but have to wait until he gets back this summer.

Pre:
DSC_0049.JPGDSC_0049.JPG

Post:
DSC_0161.JPGDSC_0161.JPG

#5 10 years ago

Here is one I airbrushed and clear coated last year. Definatly would have preferred new decals as this one was a hell of a lot of work. It was totally faded to blue.

005.JPG005.JPG

#6 10 years ago

Hey Brian, nice to see my old Congo! You did an incredible job on that cabinet, trim, and coin box. The clear coat on the cabinet really made it pop.

#7 10 years ago

Thanks Steve, Hope all is well with you?

#8 10 years ago

I guess I am one of the lucky ones that has a great looking cabinet.

#9 10 years ago
Quoted from prowlerman99:

Here is one I airbrushed and clear coated last year. Definatly would have preferred new decals as this one was a hell of a lot of work. It was totally faded to blue.

What clearcoat did you use?

#10 10 years ago

I am looking forward to more steps and progress.

#11 10 years ago

I use automotive clear,

#12 10 years ago
Quoted from prowlerman99:

I use automotive clear,

What kind? I am trying to do this any tips? I did this once before and bubbled the paint. I used a oil based paint.

#13 10 years ago

Next step: Isolate different areas of the art.

The image is basically made by 2 major areas. Leaves and gorillas:
Isolate the gorillas from the leaves:
Picture 1.pngPicture 1.png

Then isolate the whole black color of the image:
Picture 2.pngPicture 2.png

With the black color separated, we can now start adding the new colors bellow.
The leaves are plain yellow with green shadows. Sounds weird like this but it's how they done it back in 95 . You would expect it to be green with dark green shadows, but no.
So we have yellow leaves:
Picture 3.pngPicture 3.png

Next step is to add the green shadows..

#14 10 years ago

Sorry I meant to add that I use Chroma Clear or Nason.
You cannot spray either of these over enamel or it will raise the paint below. You can spray them over latex paints if your airbrushing with them.
If unsure spray your first two coats very thin and allow to dry at least 30 min. between coats. If your first coats are wet or heavy they will raise the color below and increase the chances you will get fish eye. Anytime you are spray painting your first coat should be just a mist coat and depending on the type of hardner you are using allowed to dry 20-30 min before you put on your second coat

Brian

#15 10 years ago

Can you clear coat cabinets that have decals instead of being screened?

#16 10 years ago

Yes but you should prime it with Bull Dog clear adhesion promoter first.

#17 10 years ago
Quoted from prowlerman99:

Yes but you should prime it with Bull Dog clear adhesion promoter first.

Thanks, good to know.

#18 10 years ago
Quoted from prowlerman99:

Sorry I meant to add that I use Chroma Clear or Nason.
You cannot spray either of these over enamel or it will raise the paint below. You can spray them over latex paints if your airbrushing with them.
If unsure spray your first two coats very thin and allow to dry at least 30 min. between coats. If your first coats are wet or heavy they will raise the color below and increase the chances you will get fish eye. Anytime you are spray painting your first coat should be just a mist coat and depending on the type of hardner you are using allowed to dry 20-30 min before you put on your second coat
Brian

Thank you I am looking into getting as much information as I can. Last time I tried it the auto body shop bubbled the paint. Not sure what went wrong. I have heard of people saying do it but can't seem to find someone with the knowledge on the steps to take. Thank you

#19 10 years ago

Next step, adding the shadows:
***These had to be a hand drawing with a soft brush in photoshop. The original scan is completely faded, but still you can see where the shadows are, so the result is a pretty close redraw. Nobody will see the difference heheheh
congo cabinet decal shdw1.jpgcongo cabinet decal shdw1.jpg

This is the moment to apply the gradient effect. On W/B cabinets it is made with little dots. How do you call this in english? Reticulates?
congo cabinet decal shdw2.jpgcongo cabinet decal shdw2.jpg

Turning the shadow to green and we have the final leaves:
congo cabinet decal shdw3.jpgcongo cabinet decal shdw3.jpg

The gradient effect is perfect. Very happy with it:
green shadow.jpggreen shadow.jpg

Next step: The red on the face of the gorillas.

#20 10 years ago

What process did you use for turning the shadows to halftone (dots)?

#22 10 years ago

Very awesome. Hopefully I can find a Congo.

#23 10 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

What process did you use for turning the shadows to halftone (dots)?

Halftone effect in ps

#24 10 years ago

Same process on the front.

This one is even more damaged:
Screen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.15.19 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.15.19 PM.png

Little here, little there and we have the art restored:
Screen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.15.25 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.15.25 PM.png

The font they used looks like a font commonly used by safari themed companies or rides. A quick search for "jungle font" will give us their secret!
font.jpgfont.jpg
Looks good

before after:
front1.jpgfront1.jpg

Isolating the black:
Screen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.15.56 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.15.56 PM.png

Same for the areas that will use yellow leaves with green shadows:
Screen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.16.15 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.16.15 PM.png

Adding the shadows:
Screen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.35.31 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.35.31 PM.png

The shadows turn green are we are done with the leaves
Screen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.35.39 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-07 at 1.35.39 PM.png

#25 10 years ago

Excellent work. I'm doing the same with Johnny Mnemonic atm.
Will these Congo cab decals be available in some form?

Super exclusive ad from the Pinside Marketplace!
#26 10 years ago

Don't you want a closer match on the Font? They are pretty different... look at the W, A, R, I, U, etc

the original font looks like a derivative of the font you selected.. but with more flair

#27 10 years ago
Quoted from flynnibus:

Don't you want a closer match on the Font? They are pretty different... look at the W, A, R, I, U, etc
the original font looks like a derivative of the font you selected.. but with more flair

The font is thicker, yes. They are not different, just look alike
The original font is thinner and has more accentuated angles.
I still didn't decide if I will be precise about that or not

#28 10 years ago

You are doing such an awesome job on the restore, I would really encourage you to put in the extra time to match up the font closer. Subtle differences, but noticeable to the keen observer.

#29 10 years ago

You guys are probably right. Will do it then

#30 10 years ago

...and done.
Retouched the blue on the statues. Yellow eyes. Font back to original but restored.
And the front is done:
Screen Shot 2014-01-08 at 2.06.38 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-08 at 2.06.38 PM.png

#31 10 years ago

Looking good.

#32 10 years ago

That is absolutely beautiful work. Wish I knew how to do that. Save me a lot of time airbrushing.

#33 10 years ago

would love a set if I ever restore my congo!

#34 10 years ago

This is amazing. How can I get them when done?

#35 10 years ago

New step. Fixing the head art. Taking all the scratches out and some touch ups here and there.
before after:
Screen Shot 2014-01-14 at 1.15.02 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-14 at 1.15.02 PM.png

#36 10 years ago

adding the red and yellow tones to the eyes:
Screen Shot 2014-01-15 at 2.17.28 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-15 at 2.17.28 PM.png

#37 10 years ago

Beautiful work.

#38 10 years ago

INCREDIBLE....VERY NICE....

#39 10 years ago

Bravo

#40 10 years ago

Very impressive indeed!

#41 10 years ago

A little color on the gorilla and we are done!
Screen Shot 2014-01-16 at 2.26.36 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-16 at 2.26.36 PM.png

#42 10 years ago

All done. Will prep some before after pics to show.
And away to the printer!

#43 10 years ago

Very Nice work......

#44 10 years ago

Hope this gif works:
congo-anim.gifcongo-anim.gif

#46 10 years ago

Very nice

#47 10 years ago

Final pics:
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.22 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.22 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.30 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.30 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.42 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.42 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.55 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.18.55 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.19.02 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.19.02 PM.png

#48 10 years ago

Some details:
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.20.32 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.20.32 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.20.49 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.20.49 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.09 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.09 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.20 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.20 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.30 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.30 PM.png
Screen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.56 PM.pngScreen Shot 2014-01-17 at 2.21.56 PM.png

#49 10 years ago

Really great work!

Please tell me you are going to continue the thread with application pictures???

I am seriously impressed with the abilites of some people!

#50 10 years ago

Quoted from Whysnow:

Please tell me you are going to continue the thread with application pictures???

Yes I am

Promoted items from the Pinside Marketplace
$ 54.99
Cabinet - Shooter Rods
Lighted Pinball Mods
Shooter rods
$ 39.50
Cabinet - Shooter Rods
Pinball Haus
Shooter rods
From: $ 399.95
Boards
PinSound
Boards
There are 81 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 2.

Reply

Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

Donate to Pinside

Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!


This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/congo-cabinet-decals and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.