Diner Restoration for a fellow pinsider that wanted his machine chromed and the cabinet cleared. It was a beater, no sound, no lights, lots of mechs not working. This 1st picture is after a few of the issues were done, but to save a long story, every board needed work. Many awesome suppliers provided parts, but a big thanks to Pinbits for making a set of new stainless steel ramp flaps, Captain Neo for taking on the playfield work, Guy (flashinstinct) for some decals, Tim (indypinhead) for the set of Diner Plastic Protectors, and K’s Arcade for rushing out a part right away. I wasn’t the best at taking good pictures, only snapped some shots using a sub-par phone camera. It was a fun project to work on, hope you enjoy the pics…
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Using a nail punch before bondo.
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Back Box all done, ready for silk screening
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Lots of board work - MPU, Sound Board, HV Section, Interconnect, even the clock board needed a new LM339.
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Glad these backboard decals were available, this one really needed it...and to save it from future wear and tear, a couple coats of clear to finish it up.
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Chrome parts back from Mike Chestnut.
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Playfield restored by Captain Neo (Level 3), look at the before and after pictures. His work is phenomenal, the section in front of the center drop targets and the orange at the back, just wow.
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Time for the cabinet 2PAC to begin, been using PPG (Shopline):
JC830 Clear / JH8380 Med Hardener / JR555 Reducer / JT571 Solvent
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Decided to try something new and clear-coat the inside top section.
It came out nice, looking like black mirror blades...but more durable.
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Organized chaos…
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Old Display versus NOS display from Classic Arcades (notice the original red film).
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Time for the testing to begin.
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Finally Done!
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Thanks all, it's not a perfect restore...but the nicest one I've done yet. It's already been picked up by the owner and he seemed happy with the results.

Just Purple Power and Hot Water, I don't soak the lamps...but use a little scrub brush and air compressor to dry.

Nothing special to prepping the decals, just making sure the surface was clean of oil and fingerprints. As Vid recommends, using Naptha is good, but it can't be found in California anymore (Vegas trips include a stop by Home Depot now).

Thanks, she's a good dog...but isn't much help around the garage.

Very good to know, didn't think of that one. Thanks for the tip!

I didn't de-solder the lamp boards, just removed the bulb socket and wiped it down with damp 'purple power' rag, hand dried with a different rag and then air compressor. The wiring harness did get soaked and scrubbed, but the little lamp boards were done by hand. Probably wouldn't hurt the lamp boards if they were soaked, just one diode on there...as long as it's dry under and around that diode afterward, should be all good.

Pretty much, just standard decal job and hit with clearcoat. You can't feel the decal edges beneath the clear, that feels smooth. The thing that is different are the corners, they aren't sharp like normal more rounded if anything. Each surface got sprayed facing upwards, with painters tape masking of the sides about a 1/8' down the side. I would remove the tape a minute after spraying, which would allow it to dry evenly with the previous coat. This made the corners really durable, but more rounded then sharp corners.

Thanks again for the positive comments everyone, it wasn't an easy job. I know this type of restore isn't what some people like, but I think it turned out nice and those who would disagree on pinside are at least respectful enough to not comment. I was shown a FB page earlier that was pretty brutal about this project. To each his own, I'm not going to apologize for my work.

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Nice catch, Yes...Decals were used and the colors are somewhat off with the original faces, just a little washed out when lit. I had them shipped directly to Neo and he let me know the quality wasn't the best. Couldn't find any better decals available and Babs really needed the help.

Got it from Planetary, the last one they had...I remember hearing they are making more.

Thanks, some people feel that same way about the coin door (and backbox hinges too)...but it really looks good with the glossy clear and completes the package. If any theme deserved total chrome work, it's a 50's Diner title.

For the folks that didn't like this restore, they are going to hate the one I have in progress now