Xenon
Bally, 1980Minor setback. I’d definitely let the coats cure longer. I usually wait even longer than what is recommended just to be on the safe side. Don’t feel like doing it two or three times.
Just got back the powdercoated coin box for my Xenon.
And one in red for the Captain Fantastic I’ll get to eventually.
2A06A661-AC90-4C40-B31A-5ACFAC722024 (resized).jpeg51EA925A-874E-480C-BA2E-927192E1ED81 (resized).jpegQuoted from Colsond3:Minor setback. I’d definitely let the coats cure longer. I usually wait even longer than what is recommended just to be on the safe side. Don’t feel like doing it two or three times.
Just got back the powdercoated coin box for my Xenon.
And one in red for the Captain Fantastic I’ll get to eventually.
[quoted image][quoted image]
That’s not even fair how sexy those coin boxes are!
I enjoy these Wolffpac Display Kits
A little time consuming but makes for a nice rainy Sunday.
Credit display is done, now on to the 7-digit displays
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Take 2 on the stencils.
This paint is a pain, it seems to soften the base coat anywhere that’s applied the slightest bit heavy. I did 4 extra light coats until it was even and pulled it as quick as possible before it set.
You can see where the black paint lifted in spots where the solvents attacked the base coat.
The other issues is how fast it dries, so it just holds on to the edge of the stencil pretty much immediately.
It’ll look good when I’m done but I’m wishing I just used regular ol’ Rustoleum 2X
1D0B1A74-3A55-4059-8900-A0AA0EE31AA6 (resized).jpeg6D9ABB7B-CF71-4552-8A16-457BB968DD6E (resized).jpeg050820D9-B291-4C90-9145-C92F1B84D681 (resized).jpeg2C231726-2926-4B3A-B760-7C979897FE50 (resized).jpeg5FAB4C63-0722-4BD6-8905-4CFAB89DBEDE (resized).jpeg86FB2E32-92F8-4025-AED2-98C42500084F (resized).jpegI decided after a few days of letting the blue dry that to make this work I need to clear coat between colors to help out this finicky paint.
The thing that sucks is I need to pull the stencil markers off so I can clear coat. So I marked up the stencils as to wear to line things up with the edges since the white square will be gone.
Then I used an entire can of clear between the 2 sides. About 7 coats each side applied about 4-5 minutes apart.
I’ll do the red sometime this week.
5F59D57C-BD7E-4B0E-8D88-5439CDAF8D14 (resized).jpeg6CF12AF8-C698-462D-A1E3-2C119876AA0E (resized).jpeg3FE1ACFA-791D-4814-BD69-DE199FFE3967 (resized).jpegF593D5AC-0A2B-43DD-A12F-C9829B089925 (resized).jpeg746D7E29-3624-4C9B-8CB8-6CDFAACC5119 (resized).jpeg5CB976B2-C36E-4649-8FA3-98AD74B97199 (resized).jpegI was wondering how this was going. What a nightmare. You did a nice job saving it with the brush touchups though. Fingers crossed that the red stencils give you no further headaches. Quadruple check your alignment before laying the decal down.
That's crazy it dries that fast on you, considering it's not even that hot & humid outside yet. Those damn metallic paints. After seeing stuff like this, I'll never switch from using Molotow Premium paints. I've never had an issue with stencils lifting paint. Maybe give them a try on your next refurb.
Quoted from HoakyPoaky:I was wondering how this was going. What a nightmare. You did a nice job saving it with the brush touchups though. Fingers crossed that the red stencils give you no further headaches. Quadruple check your alignment before laying the decal down.
That's crazy it dries that fast on you, considering it's not even that hot & humid outside yet. Those damn metallic paints. After seeing stuff like this, I'll never switch from using Molotow Premium paints. I've never had an issue with stencils lifting paint. Maybe give them a try on your next refurb.
Thanks man
I love these Metallics but they are terrible with this style stencil. I’d like to experiment by using them with a traditional style stencil that isn’t stuck down and made of poster board like I did for my EMs.
IDK what's more impressive..... the paint job or how green your grass is for April. Haha
Well done. What a relief!
Quoted from Skidave:Looking good!
Thanks man
Quoted from Colsond3:You have to feel a little better now....right? Looks good Matt.
I slept like a baby after pulling those stencils!
Quoted from HoakyPoaky:IDK what's more impressive..... the paint job or how green your grass is for April. Haha
Well done. What a relief!
It’s only this green in April! Wait til august when it looks like a straw hat.
With these paints you have to clear between colors. The solvents in these cans are mean. I think they actually melt the stencil. It was impossible to peel them like I’m used to. They just shredded apart in nasty globs of plastic jelly as I pulled them. Had to be quick about it to so that the edges wouldn’t be to jagged. Over all tho I like the look. Can’t wait to put this head back together and get a few games in before I tear down the main cab.
A little behind the scenes bummer. I wasn’t paying attention and accidentally soldered my socket into the display where the pins were supposed to go.
I don’t have desoldering gun so I had to pull the plastic away from the pins and pull each one from the board
I put the socket back together and redid it right. All continuity checked out so hopefully I got away with it.
C13C2AE4-1E84-49DC-A8A8-609F4C8A4F6E (resized).jpeg47936D67-9062-4A60-A601-84C114B3E2BA (resized).jpeg11639EA0-F237-450E-8447-09F2742AA136 (resized).jpeg9CD250EC-44A5-47C8-AA60-EE5EF2FE46C1 (resized).jpegSome how I was able to cut the new metal for the back box and attach it all without needing stitches.
I used the old back piece as a template so I knew where to put the screws.
The sides and top weren’t as easy for me. After staring at this thing for 30 minutes I figured out a way to mark where the holes were by using masking tape and peeling it back and then putting it over the new metal.
35278A33-CB85-424B-8973-728D33F40714 (resized).jpeg9DF3E794-4F7D-4F92-A5CE-A5DBB72F41DC (resized).jpegFAB428C4-F139-499D-99A0-95C80FED9A07 (resized).jpeg8EA3BB04-76ED-4019-9EED-961CF5E6332A (resized).jpeg
Back box is done!
1A90E055-40A7-41D0-9553-04B90EC08CB8 (resized).jpegA3F2B274-4CF2-424A-ABC7-B27FCA01D708 (resized).jpegF00304CE-1ABA-4172-BBD7-5EDCAFCF2EDC (resized).jpegB66D58A1-01D8-4551-8B04-BABA0A0933F0 (resized).jpeg8748F9E3-8B6C-4B72-A034-86A4067C2698 (resized).jpeg240BA12F-68EB-4BFD-AA5B-00256003D2A1 (resized).jpeg764A347E-5593-49F1-860A-3547CC0C1548 (resized).jpegF4A3CF0B-9DE2-431C-B30B-A3F2C712106B (resized).jpegF9A01F23-6E2F-4772-9DBA-AB244475FF36 (resized).jpegQuoted from mrm_4:I dropped my back box lock and it exploded. I attempted to put it back together and dropped it again.
I laughed at myself manically for a few seconds and threw it in the trash.
[quoted image]
Best post in this thread yet, lol! I LOVE that blue tubing for the wiring harnesses though, nice touch!
Quoted from mrm_4:With these paints you have to clear between colors. The solvents in these cans are mean. I think they actually melt the stencil.
Pinball Pimp warns about certain formulations will attack the stencils.
When in doubt inquire.
Just posting these for future reference. The tear down of the cabinet begins....
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I always thought the head wobbled a little more than any other machine I’ve had. There’s some play in the neck, I noticed the ply is separated and there are a bunch of extra nails. All the nails came out by hand because of how much the neck moves.
I removed the side rails
Then this happened
I’m amazed the head didn’t just fall off when this thing was at the brewery during our league games.
37673A74-C146-4F7E-B120-050A996C9AF4 (resized).jpeg78A8A536-1B26-4AA7-A7B9-478A965DB247 (resized).jpeg9CC91544-502B-4541-8EA8-7183C076FDAD (resized).jpegBF832DDB-5BED-443B-B951-185B143494EA (resized).jpeg50D11488-F09F-4E79-8DB1-24EB204D0FF3 (resized).jpeg
Little bit of a dilemma with this cabinet. The left side is bowed in towards the playfield about 3/8 an inch which causes the the playfield to catch the edge. You can see where it’s taken chunks of the wood out from being lifted and lowered over the years.
I’m not sure the best approach to straighten it out. I’m afraid I’m going to get the cabinet finished and then destroy the inside as soon as I drop the playfield in.
7F22FF9C-63F7-4393-8573-A90730ADCF5B (resized).jpeg89983BD7-1F5E-411A-9778-4F1D7BF2D1EE (resized).jpegI know this idea is not factory and may not be ideal depending on the underside of the playfield, but what about getting a piece of craft maple from Lowe's that is 3/4 thick by 1.5 wide and bracing the cabinet left to right just under the playfield support ledges. Basically a cross bar. You would only see it when the playfield is up or removed.
Quoted from Skidave:I know this idea is not factory and may not be ideal depending on the underside of the playfield, but what about getting a piece of craft maple from Lowe's that is 3/4 thick by 1.5 wide and bracing the cabinet left to right just under the playfield support ledges. Basically a cross bar. You would only see it when the playfield is up or removed.
Flash Gordon has a crossbar, maybe for good reason.
Do it!
Quoted from Skidave:I know this idea is not factory and may not be ideal depending on the underside of the playfield, but what about getting a piece of craft maple from Lowe's that is 3/4 thick by 1.5 wide and bracing the cabinet left to right just under the playfield support ledges. Basically a cross bar. You would only see it when the playfield is up or removed.
Quoted from gdonovan:Flash Gordon has a crossbar, maybe for good reason.
Do it!
[quoted image]
Yeah i think this is the route to go. Thanks guys
Ok more to come on the cab later
Anyone near Kent OH want to finish this stupid project? I hate sanding and spray painting. Things never gonna get finished 
After a 3 month break because of moving and all the surprises I keep getting in the new place, I finally forced myself to do something with this cab.
Began stripping paint and sanding.
I also glued and screwed down the new platform I made.
Then attached the original neck to the new platform.
Lots of glue, 3” screws, and epoxy wood put to use on this one.
I need to at least get the stencils done before the crappy fall/winter weather comes
63F60910-DA11-4A02-80E4-D6848047A9D5 (resized).jpeg128E12E7-574C-4562-9E69-B8C16591FFB1 (resized).jpeg9F11D5BC-A82D-4271-B1E0-1A899D001455 (resized).jpegInstalled the cross bar to straighten the inward warp causing the playfield to catch the cab.
E123525F-4B2E-4AF9-BABB-E96F8D2B33D0 (resized).jpegD683F234-894C-4381-A596-39A3F40A21B5 (resized).jpeg
Plenty of room for the playfield to lift in and out now.
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Man I forgot how pretty this playfield is!65F8D2BC-A628-41DE-8F19-27A20651B7A9 (resized).jpeg
Quoted from mrm_4:Letting me see where I need to focus a little more attention. I’ll sand a few spots and hit another coat soon before I lay down the black paint.
I usually spray some light black guides here and there so you can see the primer surface smooth out as you go along. This is the Bally Safari cab I’m working on.
390DB3D6-B4C5-49C0-967A-5301782F6716 (resized).jpeg9088CC11-7A1D-4F35-8EDB-35824299F6A5 (resized).jpegQuoted from Colsond3:I usually spray some light black guides here and there so you can see the primer surface smooth out as you go along. This is the Bally Safari cab I’m working on.
[quoted image][quoted image]
What happened with your Xenon project youve been keeping secret??? Where is it?! We need to see her!
Quoted from mrm_4:What happened with your Xenon project youve been keeping secret??? Where is it?! We need to see her!
Haha. Trying to work on Halloween, Spider-Man and Safari. Xenon is on the back burner right now. But at least I will have your thread to follow. 
And I’ll be needing you to do some of your coin door inserts and stickers that you made for your game when I get to mine. If you don’t mind. 
Ok the black is down and I just laid 2 coats of clear to help with the stenciling. I really hope I don’t have the same nightmare as I did when I did the blue stencil on the head.
Gonna let the clear sit for 2-3 days then do the blue stencil.
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Red stencil added on the right side.
A couple of spots need to be touched up where the paint ate up the stencil, but over all I’m really happy with the look
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I applied the blue stencil to the left side and what I learned using this paint is TIMING TIMING TIMING.
The trick is to lay a light coat in the cut out areas of the stencil then wait about 3 minutes.
Then lay down a heavier even coat and walk away.
Initially I was trying to pull the stencil as quick as possible so the paint wouldn’t “tear” away but I was making it harder on myself. By accident because of my neighbor talking to me after spraying I had a 10 minute conversation before I started pulling. After that the stencils came up and the paint separated like it was laser cut. Not one issue on the left side.
E646E2FE-FEA0-42E7-9E61-592A08EBCD05 (resized).jpeg78B28A33-C4FA-4B25-B192-AC58AC7C6D64 (resized).jpegCleaned up and painted the power supply platform. Strategically left a portion bare for the rectifiers to rest on with the thermal paste.
31FC0DB0-7CED-4ADC-81C5-047EFEADB0D2 (resized).jpeg886C8B24-6650-4367-97A8-4BBD04C1F8F4 (resized).jpeg
Just a glimpse of what’s coming
I went with the white version of the 115 warning label because the original yellow looked putrid with the blue.C7BBBC48-6FEB-47C2-8427-5EFF2188E148 (resized).jpeg
Quoted from mrm_4:Cleaned up and painted the power supply platform. Strategically left a portion bare for the rectifiers to rest on with the thermal paste.
That looks great! Great minds must think alike....I did the same thing to my EBD tho I went with the yellow card vs. making it white. I love the blue tubing you did for the wire harness....I may to "borrow" that idea in a future restoration. 
IMG_8500 (resized).jpgLower Cab 01b - Copy (resized).JPGQuoted from Mathazar:That looks great! Great minds must think alike....I did the same thing to my EBD tho I went with the yellow card vs. making it white. I love the blue tubing you did for the wire harness....I may to "borrow" that idea in a future restoration. [quoted image][quoted image]
Thanks man!
See that yellow card looks good off the board like that. When its on the blue though its pretty rough looking.
I stole the tubing from beatmaster when I used it on my Firepower project. I love it, looks so clean and high class haha.
Cabs done
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Langhorne, PA
Looks good Matt.
