I was talking with my friend Pat today about game restores. If you missed his Funhouse restoration it's really worth checking out here:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/funhouse-restore-chrome-and-mustard

Lots of great before and after shots, and documentation of his process. I've seen the game in person, and it's gorgeous.

Now one thing he did is he bondo'd the inside bottom of the cabinet, got it entirely smooth and nice, and then painted it yellow. It's really striking in person, and it makes the inside feel special and pop. Here's a photo:

Funhouse

He's working on a second restored Funhouse right now (he's going to sell it, send him a PM if you're interested, he does really amazing work) and we were talking about whether or not he should do the same inside yellow trick for it or not.

It seems like there are two camps for these high end restores. The kind of people who will pay $6k for a redone top to bottom Funhouse. Those who want it "like new, but better", where it feels original, just incredibly nice. And those who want it over the top, and if it's not a factory look that's okay, as long as it looks great and they can enjoy it and show it off.

I'm not a purist. If you can improve on the factory look because you're taking the time to do something they never would have (paint the inside like that? makes no sense for a commercial game) and it brings something great to the table I'm all about it.

What's your take? It doesn't have to be about this particular game, or color of yellow or anything, just a great example of something new, that might divide opinions. Blacking out a game with powdercoated hardware might be another easy example. Chrome I guess falls into that same category. Are you an original purist, or do you like things blinged out a bit?

This is true. Especially as you're never going to see it unless you open the game. I guess some people would rather see a really nicely sanded interior, with no stains or overspray. The yellow looked great though, and the bondo work made it super clean.

Hmm, I can get all of those but the subwoofer. Are you just opposed to seeing something sitting under a game? Mine are mostly in my garage, and I store shit under them. That's just the reality of our storage space though.

I have a friend's Fathom right now, and it's got a total repaint, CPR playfield, chrome armor etc. The inside though was basically not touched. I have to be honest, I don't care. I'm never gonna show off the inside of a game to someone. But I will admit, seeing Pat's all sweet when he opened it up was really the final topping on a great looking game.

I'm from the school of thinking that mods are great, so long as they fit into the game. Not so big on gluing action figures everywhere for instance. But I'm happy with the hammer replacement I made for Metallica. That took an existing part and "upgraded it", rather than gluing on something that doesn't look right.

Or the Mezel "Hells Bell" cover for ACDC, that goes over an ugly bare piece of metal. I just got mine today. I wasn't into the shiny 3D printed look, so I sanded and primed and repainted it, but it really classes up an otherwise blah piece of the game.

Mods aren't about value. If you're buying a $6k Fungouse it's because you're a collector who really wants one. Same with a HEP. You're not going to get your money back out.

I think that's a great attitude for sure. You don't strike me then as the kind of person who'd want a $6k Funhouse.

I'm kind of in between. I like my games nice, but I don't want to have to baby them, or feel guilty about playing them or something. They're sitting there waiting to be played, not looked at.

Sure. But if you saw Pat's game you wouldn't feel that he cut corners, it's crazy meticulous. The wire routing alone is the cleanest I've ever seen, all wrapped.

Still, I agree, I'm not personally the kind of person who would pay crazy money for a restored game. But that said, if one came along that was the right game ... you never know.

Obviously you only buy it if you're happy with the work.

Yeah, see, that's what I'm talking about. Not stupid crap all over it, but tastefully upgraded.

I guess everyone already knows my opinion on alt translites.