I've got a TSPP that looks like it spent most of it's life in an ashtray in a cigar lounge. I'm trying to prepare the cabinet surfaces for the new decals I've purchased and have a few questions about surface prep.

I've used a heat gun to remove the old decals from the cabinet, which has left me a mostly smooth, non sticky surface. I gave the surface a wipe down with Goo Gone, and don't feel any sticky residue. It does seem like there's something still there, however, just from looking at it.

Should I sand this surface, or do anything additional before applying the graphics? I've seen videos online about removing graphics which has left a glue residue, but these have all been Williams cabinets so I am curious if I should expect a different process with a Stern cabinet since I don't see or feel any glue residue.

Thanks for the advice.

Image is side of backbox post heat gun/putty knife removal of decal.

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So mind if I ask some basic stupid questions since I don't want to make any assumptions?

1: Xylene - what do I apply it with? Do I just apply it? or do I rub it in? Rinse?

2. Seal it with what? and how should the sealant be applied?

I figured I'd be taking everything out of the cabinet and removing the metal parts from it. I just did the side of the backbox to see what effort decal removal took.

Thanks for the advise!

Given that's the case, does this change the process? This cabinet has something that comes up with a heat gun and scraping, so I'm not sure. It's worth noting that this is a later run cabinet, 2005 build. See the pic of the left side backbox which I posted above...

Given it was already ruined, Why not strip, fill and sand if I'm going to decal the thing anyways? I'm just looking to make a good surface that the decals will stick to.

It, quite frankly, was gross. I've got two TSPP's sitting next to each other. While one is dirty and used, the other one looked like it was in a smoking lounge it's entire life. This one I've started stripping had absolutely disgusting yellow residue on all the art. I tried cleaning it with several methods and it just looked terrible. I've no regrets stripping what was there and replacing it with fresh art decals. It wasn't just fade, it was filthy.

I figured I'd post an update on how things turned out. I'm pretty happy with the results. We ended up just sanding the old art and grime off with first a belt sander, then an orbital sander. It's true that missing a knick in the cabinet during sand and fill resulted in a slight blemish, but overall I'm very happy with the results given this is a route game.
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