58_G.jpgFirst time trying to duplicate a screened cabinet through stenciling .
I had some decals that I could use and the art was good but the colors bothered me.As a painter I just couldn't talk myself into those color issues so I reached out to a great resource to see if this could be made into a stencil.
That person said it could with some very minor concessions so I threw a bit more time and money at the project to have them made.

Once I got them I had no idea how much more complex it would be than the standard stencil job but the stencils were all there and well done so it was up to me to take it from there.It was much better than a manual mask and paint (I have done lots of those) from a sanity standpoint and better than the decals from a color accuracy standpoint .
Anyway this is probably the most involved Tommy restore to date and I am obviously not done yet but here is the evolution of the cabinet itself.

New cabinet built and primed.63_G.jpg70_G.jpg74_G.jpg

Now sanded then based in yellow.
77_G.jpg20150619_182415.jpg20150619_182425.jpg

The stenciling process is really tough on this one. On the head some colors come before others on the lower. There are 5 colors and placement as well as order are crucial.
Also the inside is black but the outer is yellow so there is two toning and lots of extra masking since even a hint of black overpay would ruin the yellow.
First was red on the head.

Then blacking out the lower and the black stencil itself which was also needed on the top of the head.83_G.jpg20150620_002939.jpg87_G.jpg20150620_002944.jpg

Now the white and off yellow.
White? No problem.
The off yellow was really tough to match because it was really a effect created through screening one color over another thinly. More a process thing than by design.
What I did was match that effect with paint.90_G.jpg92_G.jpg

Now the head is done and can be set to the side while I finish the lower.93_G.jpg94_G.jpg95_G.jpg96_G.jpg97_G.jpg

First clear applied. More to come but this is the first clear used to seal and build. Full gloss to start.100_G.jpg105_G.jpg106_G.jpg107_G.jpg

There is a way I am sure but the expense might be tough to justify as a stand alone project and the shipping down there.

Thanks. I have done a lot of paint jobs over the last 25 years on everything from exotic cars to rare pinball machines but this is probably one of my best efforts to date. I have the old cabinet in the same room for refrence and they look like identical twins except the new cabinet looks so much better.
All totaled I would guess there 80 or more man hours in the cabinet so far. That factors in building it ,prepping it the stencil creation the painting and I still have more sanding leveling ,detailing and clearing ahead of me but the worst is over.

Cabinet is prepped for the final matte style clear.
The goal is to eliminate all orange peel and edges from the color applications.
The other goal is to try not to break through any of those colors as it would lead to more repaints.
First picture is the finish no cured/absorbed into the cabinet and almost shrink wrapping itself around all edges of the various colors applied.
// Error: Image 419769 not found //
The next picture is how it looks as it sands.I want to eliminate this higher point of color to level it.IMG_8860.JPG

This is actually level now in the last picture.IMG_8861.JPG

Now I have done it to the entire cabinet and head all the way around.IMG_8864.JPG
The proper bevel is reworked prior to the final clear application so it gets a nice finished edge and well sealed along with the rest of the cabinet.IMG_8884.JPG
The head is ready for the final clear.IMG_8887.JPG
The lower is ready for the final clear.I am not reclearing the interior because doing so on the final clear can create extra trash and overspray as well as there being a risk of accidently dragging a hose or something across the exterior while trying to get in there.That being the case every single opening and hole is masked off to seal it IMG_8885.JPGoff.

The final clear is a matte clear.It is mixed in a custom ratio that will give it a sheen but not be too glossy nor too flat.Some things are just meant to be exclusive and this formulation is one of them.As you can see it is not really clear at all though.// Error: Image 419786 not found //

The final clear is applied.

Asit cures it will flatten out in texture and gloss this is something that happens as it cures not that quickly.// Error: Image 419791 not found //// Error: Image 419796 not found //// Error: Image 419797 not found //

Glad to do it.I lost my brother this month 2 years ago so obviously we were going through some similar things at the very same time and knowing your reasoning makes the effort going into this that much more rewarding. .

Matte clear is dry.
It is reflective at angles because it is very smooth . 20150624_204332.jpg

20150624_204236.jpg

20150624_204231.jpg

20150624_204256.jpg

When you look across it and compare it right against something that is full gloss cleared it is a little duller.20150624_204311.jpg20150624_204326.jpg20150624_204515.jpg

That would defeat the purpose so the finish needs to be applied as clean and perfectly as possible since sanding and polishing are not an option.

Here is a link to the full restore that does a little better job explaining some of the steps and thought process.

http://christopherhutchins.com/gallery/album615

Starting to go together.20150629_211430.jpg

Inside .20150629_211445.jpg

Other side.20150629_211453.jpg

Better indicator ofor the the gloss level.20150629_211511.jpg

The trim and head are on.20150630_172757.jpg20150630_172845.jpg

We have an in house source for our cabinets.I have found that they are incredibly game specific so it was the best solution.

Cabinet is wired and ready for the playfield. 20150709_172450.jpg20150709_172504.jpg20150709_172534.jpg20150709_172522.jpg

Playfield is in cabinet.20150709_172456.jpg20150709_175018.jpg

It is full gloss clear on the inside.The main reason for that on this particular project is that there was so much effort needed on the outside. Also with the two toning going back in the inside was not worth the risk so it was left full gloss since little will show with the playfield in place.
It looks good this way I think really gives some contrast between the inner and outer.

Powered up for testing.20150710_214413.jpg

Wrapping it up now.20150713_210350.jpg20150713_210336.jpg20150713_210614.jpg