FunHouse
Williams, 1990Quoted from NJGecko:My set is sitting waiting to be installed once the decals go on!
Just for any opinions...ground braid before decals? Figure do as much stuff as possible before decals to minimize the chance of rubbing up against them!
Put the artwork on first.
Quoted from NJGecko:Yeah? How come? On one hand it would be great to get this buttoned up and on legs, but do tell?
In your case, it probably doesn't matter. In my case, I use a wood filler to plug the coin door hole when applying the artwork and I can't fasten it in place with the braid installed.
I do things in a very organized manner. That's just the way I am. The artwork is a bit of a pain to do, so I like to get it done, along with anything else on the outside of the cabinet. Now, when I start on the inside, I don't have to worry about getting to a point where in order to install something, I need to install a carriage bolt through the cabinet. Wait, I can't install that. I don't have the artwork done yet.
But I also wouldn't leave the plastic glass side channels in place when I paint the cabinet. It'll be difficult to trim the artwork and I have a feeling you may have paint inside. That's not good.
Quoted from jrkitty:Thanks guys, I will get some of those, sad part is I think I paid at least that much for the junk I used in the photo.
Dude, I just checked out your collection (yeah this has nothing to do with this topic) but nice row of system 11 games you got there :]
Quoted from Bryan_Kelly:In your case, it probably doesn't matter. In my case, I use a wood filler to plug the coin door hole when applying the artwork and I can't fasten it in place with the braid installed.
I do things in a very organized manner. That's just the way I am. The artwork is a bit of a pain to do, so I like to get it done, along with anything else on the outside of the cabinet. Now, when I start on the inside, I don't have to worry about getting to a point where in order to install something, I need to install a carriage bolt through the cabinet. Wait, I can't install that. I don't have the artwork done yet.
But I also wouldn't leave the plastic glass side channels in place when I paint the cabinet. It'll be difficult to trim the artwork and I have a feeling you may have paint inside. That's not good.
New glass channels are on the pile already 
Makes sense on the decals. Makes a lot of sense...
Started to put topside back together. Still lots to do everywhere, but this is honestly one of my favorite parts of the process. I feel like it's starting to come together and it's just awesome!
Everything about this is a blast....finding parts, knowing where they go, putting them in (without my hands turning black like when I took them out), breaking out baggies of new star posts, rubbers, etc...this is when I really feel like I'm putting something back together!
There is a lot to be done, no doubt. Soldering iron needs to come out and swap out switches, more to be tumbled, cabinet needs reassembly, but man, I can almost imagine the first ball in the shooter lane!
Sorry, call me goofy, but this is fun!
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2013-12-10 20.50.47.jpgI know...I know! Tonight if I can convince my wife to help I may get the decals on the head since I really want to get things back together....
I wanna play!
Really moving quick now and looking great. I would guess you could have it up and running this weekend! 
Thanks. I WILL get work done on it today! It's slow going, so hoping for a good chunk of time finally now. Between being sick and work and everything I haven't done as much as I'd like to, but my ambitious hopes for today would see decals on the entire machine and ground braid. Realistically I will do the decals and just let them sit without touching the cabinet for a week though. I know that's the right thing to do.
Quoted from NJGecko:Got up this morning with my 3 AM insomnia. First thing I saw was that the coin door decal was in a pile on the floor.
Then I looked and the back corners were peeling..
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Ouch... it even hurts seeing that on a picture.
And...by noontime the machine had completely de-decaled itself. Weird. I was stumped. Wife and I did all of the steps properly. Same way I've done them before. The only difference is that this is the first time I've done decals that weren't next-gen (these were bought from someone as an un-used set of Phoenix Arcade decals).
I've been talking with Darin at Phoenix all day on and off. Really good guy. Like really good. We talked about his printing process, and he asked plenty of details on how I prepped the cabinet, how I did the install, what conditions they were installed under, etc. At least he agreed that I didn't do anything wrong with prep and application. The guess is that the fella I got them from had them stored rolled up for a long period and when they flattened out the adhesive weakened.
Really bummed. I guess I learned to not buy decals that aren't fresh. $300 lesson learned. Going to order a new set and try again. Going to set things back, but at least I can keep working on the playfield!
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2013-12-15 09.42.35.jpgI've never found adhesive to be effected by laying decals flat or rolled up. It really shouldnt make any difference. The reason you don't want to leave decals rolled up for a long time is when you unroll them, the decal may separate from the backing paper in spots. Makes installation a bit more difficult but they should be fine. I've also installed ten year old NOS artwork and had no issues.
I would just make damn sure it wasn't something you did. No idea what it may have been. I mean, you didn't wipe the cabinet down with oil or something similar?? I would just hate to see you order new stuff and have the same thing happen.
The heat is on, as it's winter. Could the cab be close to a heating unit / register that could have caused the decals to change temperature?
Quoted from Richthofen:The heat is on, as it's winter. Could the cab be close to a heating unit / register that could have caused the decals to change temperature?
Absolutely not. Heat would actually make them stick better. Maybe if they were frozen they won't stick. Handling them after removing the backing paper would tell you if they were sticky or not.
Having them just fall off is the damnedest thing I've ever seen.
If it was the "wet" method, could the water have been contaminated? Being that all decals came off it seems like process has to be high on the possibility list I'd think. How about the cab paint - same type of paint used before?
Hey all...
So here's the skinny on it...
Pinball machine is sitting upstairs (second floor) of my house. Thermostat set at 68-72. Cab has been in the same room for a week so it's acclimated to the temp and everything.
Cabinet was sanded, filled, sanded, and primed with two coats.
Same process I've done before.
The difference (for me) is that I used rapid tac. I've used the wet method before but with Windex. This was the first time using rapid tac. I followed the instructions to the letter.
Now, the interesting stuff is that:
a) the decals adhered to the head properly, prepared using the same method, even the same cans of paint.
b) the decals kind of fell into a rumpled pile on the floor. I picked them right up off of the floor without them really sticking
They really felt like they had the tackiness of a post-it. My wife commented when she was trimming them (yes, she does that MUCH better than I do!) that the material from the head decals seemed different. Couldn't describe it.
The thought about the adhesive weakening after a long time rolled up was what Darin suggested. I'm personally stumped.
I'm upset, bummed, frustrated...I guess on the upside the cabinet is still prepped....
I can't try with the existing decals..they were trashed. When they fell into piles they adhered to themselves like plastic wrap....but still wouldn't stick to anything else.
So be it...live and learn..although not sure what I've learned from this one. But at least I'm, um, moving ahead with other areas so I'm not dead in the water, just focusing elsewhere until the replacements come in.
Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. The blue paint I used was slightly off from the decals, so maybe I will repaint the cabinet. Nothing to lose!
Have you tried a final sand on your painted cabinet, then a clear coat to help seal the wood, and give the decals something smooth and sealed to stick to? If you have any part of the trashed decals left, try sticking them to a clean window, or playfield glass and back to the cabinet and see how easy or hard it is to pull them off either surface.
If you already prepped your cabinet like that, I probably missed it when following this thread.
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