(Topic ID: 124805)

Congo full restoration/customization - Above and beyond!

By Gov

8 years ago


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Topic Stats

  • 172 posts
  • 45 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 6 years ago by Gov
  • Topic is favorited by 37 Pinsiders

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There are 172 posts in this topic. You are on page 3 of 4.
#101 7 years ago

Almost there!

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#102 7 years ago

I am curious about the back box decal.

Did you design yourself?
Can I get one?

Just install new decals on my Congo and wondering if clear coat over top is required.

My decals are laminated, so I don't think it is necessary.

Anyone have insight about clearing over decals?

Bud

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#103 7 years ago

The decal is one of a kind sorry

I needed to clear over mine as they weren't laminated. If they are laminated and you are happy with the finish, then I don't see the need to clear over them.

1 week later
#104 7 years ago
Quoted from flyfisher:

Gov has asked me to provide the information on the 2pac we are using on our machines.
Here is the info:
Evercoat Edge Overall Clearcoat
part no. 102520
Evercoat Edge Medium Catalyst
part no. 102524
I have been buying ours at Wholesale Auto Paints in Springfield, Missouri. It costs about $104.00 a gallon for the clearcoat and activator. I have used many brands of clear doing automotive work, but I like this more than any I have ever used. My daughter-in-law works at a Limo shop told me they were using this on their limos and really liked it.
It doesn't seem to go on hot like many clears I have used. I haved applied this over decals without any lifting problems. It also goes over the cabinet art with no problems. I have cleared several cabinets with it and have had great results. I have used it on playfield, aprons, etc. with great results as well. I hope this helps. Gov is doing a great job on Congo. I can't wait to see the finished product.

What kind of prep work do you do on the decals prior to spraying?

#105 7 years ago

I wash the applied decals with a mild soap solution to remove any dirt or hand oils. I then wipe with a clean wet cloth to remove any soap residue and dry with a soft cloth. The whole cabinet is then tacked several times and sprayed. The results have been really good. This gives good protection to the decal surface.

#106 7 years ago
Quoted from flyfisher:

I wash the applied decals with a mild soap solution to remove any dirt or hand oils. I then wipe with a clean wet cloth to remove any soap residue and dry with a soft cloth. The whole cabinet is then tacked several times and sprayed. The results have been really good. This gives good protection to the decal surface.

Great to know. I was wondering in particular if you needed to scuff the surface to give it some tooth. Thanks a lot for the information.

#107 7 years ago
Quoted from flyfisher:

I wash the applied decals with a mild soap solution to remove any dirt or hand oils. I then wipe with a clean wet cloth to remove any soap residue and dry with a soft cloth. The whole cabinet is then tacked several times and sprayed. The results have been really good. This gives good protection to the decal surface.

I wish that guy was still making those lexan cab and bb protectors. He just disappeared.

#108 7 years ago
Quoted from MustangPaul:

I wish that guy was still making those lexan cab and bb protectors. He just disappeared.

Not familiar with the product .. any links?

#109 7 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

I spent a few hours really going over the playfield with 0000 steel wool to flatten it out and give the clear a good surface to stick too.

Sorry to go back in time so much, but I was going through this (great) thread again and the playfield prep caught my attention. I like the steel wool at it seems it will get into nooks and crevices better than sandpaper. This said, a few hours seems like a lot. Also, how would this help with flattening? I would have expected the scuffing to take one hour at most, and the flattening to be done after the clear has been laid.

#110 7 years ago

Flatten out, meaning taking the shine off. The clear we use is really tough stuff and it takes a long time to get that slick shine off

#111 7 years ago

Seeing this thread again today makes me wish I was as excited about some of the EXPO reveals as I am about your resto! Keep up the good work!

2 weeks later
#112 7 years ago

Was thinking this couldn't get any better, but just saw the CONGO color DMD!

This is going to be one sick machine when it's done!

#113 7 years ago

Color DMD is releasing the Color ROM for Congo Nov. 4th.

2 weeks later
#114 7 years ago

Looks like this may be the source for the decals (and many others).

http://www.retrorefurbs.com/shop/congo-pinball-cabinet-decals/

They are currently in a flame war and legal dispute with PPS.

2 months later
#115 7 years ago

Been a while but thought I would update. Game is nearly done. Cab is complete. The floor looks kinda weird in the pics, but it looks really nice and even in person. Almost there...it has been a long haul.

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#116 7 years ago

Looks awesome! Great work. I love my Congo. It's a keeper for me. It's great to see one brought back from the dead like this to be better than new.

#117 7 years ago

Are you bringing this to TPF?

#119 7 years ago

really nice work Gov,

here is idea for a bit of customization (what I did when I had a Congo) - add a insert under the decal for the backboard of the playfield at the volcano so it can flash at the right time giving the larva effect.

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#120 7 years ago
Quoted from swinks:

really nice work Gov,
here is idea for a bit of customization (what I did when I had a Congo) - add a insert under the decal for the backboard of the playfield at the volcano so it can flash at the right time giving the larva effect.

That's really cool!

#121 7 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

Been a while but thought I would update. Game is nearly done. Cab is complete. The floor looks kinda weird in the pics, but it looks really nice and even in person. Almost there...it has been a long haul.

Well they didn't build Rome in a day ya know. Looks great.

#122 7 years ago
Quoted from swinks:

really nice work Gov,
here is idea for a bit of customization (what I did when I had a Congo) - add a insert under the decal for the backboard of the playfield at the volcano so it can flash at the right time giving the larva effect.

That's a slick idea.

#123 7 years ago

Thanks guys. I like that insert idea. Did you have to put a new back panel graphic on to install that?

1 month later
#124 7 years ago

Playfield is in and I turned it on. It didn't blow anything up so that is good! Have a lot of little issues though, so now to track all of those down. TPF less than a week away!

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#125 7 years ago

Looks awesome! Glad this is coming together!

#126 7 years ago

Such a nice congo.

#127 7 years ago

it looks super!!

#128 7 years ago

Absolutely stunning. Now get that color DMD in just to finish it off nicely. Great work. I have really enjoyed following this thread. Thanks for taking the time to post.

#129 7 years ago

Looking good. Nice work.

#130 7 years ago

Thanks . All issues save one are fixed. I have no sound.... so taking the boards to a buddy tonight to see if we can't figure it out. See you at TPF!

#131 7 years ago
Quoted from jokerpoker:

Absolutely stunning. Now get that color DMD in just to finish it off nicely. Great work. I have really enjoyed following this thread. Thanks for taking the time to post.

That's the plan I have one for it, just have yet to put it in.

#132 7 years ago

Sound board is fixed!! Just a few odds and ends to clean up and she will be ready to pack up!

#133 7 years ago

How did the "larva" effect turn out?

Just kidding. Looking forward to playing this at TPF.

#134 7 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

Sound board is fixed!! Just a few odds and ends to clean up and she will be ready to pack up!

What was the problem?

#136 7 years ago

Some pics before bed.

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#137 7 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

Some pics before bed.

#138 7 years ago

Which green post sleeves are you using?

#139 7 years ago
Quoted from Mitch:

Which green post sleeves are you using?

They are the translucent ones. Not sure where I got them. Probably Pinballlife.com

#140 7 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

Some pics before bed.

I really like how you kept the white gi, the pf colors look great.

#141 7 years ago
Quoted from MustangPaul:

I really like how you kept the white gi, the pf colors look great.

Thanks, ya I am not a fan of color bombed GI at all. I initially had cool white in the GI but I didn't like it. I was going to go with warm whites, but didn't have enough. I did happen to have exactly enough sunlight GI bulbs from Comet to do the top side. I am also considering going all of the inserts in warm or sunlight as well. The text on the inserts really gets washed out. I am not sure I have enough to do that right now though.

#142 7 years ago

Just realized I have to replace the bulbs in the pops as they are warm whites, not sunlight.....BAH! Taking that ramp off is a pain.

#143 7 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

Just realized I have to replace the bulbs in the pops as they are warm whites, not sunlight.....BAH! Taking that ramp off is a pain.

I must have missed it, what bulbs are you using? They look great under the green plastics.

#144 7 years ago
Quoted from lpeters82:

I must have missed it, what bulbs are you using? They look great under the green plastics.

Sunlight from Comet

#145 7 years ago

Did you use the same bulb for the spotlight? I think I'm going to place an order.

PS: I suggest adding a spotlight (or two) on the volcano.

#146 7 years ago

I did yes. They work great in spots IMO. My spotlights on the left are missing their reflector as I ran out. I am going to have to steal the ones off of my Avengers LE for TPF and buy some more

#147 7 years ago

I used lighting strips on the apron, which work nicely on this game IMO. I'm going to have to do some testing to see how the shades work together; or perhaps comet will soon release a sunlight strips. My next Congo project will be adding red flashers behind the backbox (and perhaps under cabinet) to really create a lightshow at the start of multiball. I did this on my BSD for the lightning, and I really like the effect. Did you struggle at all choosing the bulbs for the lower playfield? I've tried green, yellow, purple, orange, warm white, and cool white. I have orange in there currently, but I haven't been completely happy with anything.

#148 7 years ago

yes, I have tried several different things and settled on red and orange for now. Still not really happy, but didn't like the plain sunlight down there either.

#149 7 years ago
Quoted from Gov:

Just realized I have to replace the bulbs in the pops as they are warm whites, not sunlight.....BAH! Taking that ramp off is a pain.

Just do them from the underside.

#150 7 years ago
Quoted from lpeters82:

perhaps comet will soon release a sunlight strips.

Quoted from Gov:

yes, I have tried several different things and settled on red and orange for now. Still not really happy, but didn't like the plain sunlight down there either.

Try purple.

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