Hi guys, I purchased an 1975 Gottlieb Atlantis project and it arrived yesterday (had it shipped from out of state). This is one of my "Holy Grail" games because I love the art work and the game play/rules set, plus it has a special place in my memory of playing this game when I was a kid.

I went into this eyes wide open -- so I'm not criticizing the seller at all -- and was hoping the cabinet was in better condition than it appeared in photos (it was hard to tell).

Unfortunately, it's not. The cabinet is basically shot in terms of structural integrity. Today I completely stripped the cabinet and head (removed the bottom-board, playfield, knocker, flipper buttons, tilt mechanism, side-rails, door, receiver, lock-bar, other hardware) and now that it's down to the bare wood I can tell that it has MAJOR termite damage.

The front panel is completely shot with no chance of saving it. The bottom edges (at least) of the other three sides have damage, as does the pedestal and a small part of the head. (Post continues below the photos)

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On the bright side, the game's mechanicals look good and complete, and the backglass is probably an 8 or 9 -- really remarkable condition considering how rough the cabinet it. The playfield needs restoring but is not beyond hope (I'd probably put on new plastics, completely new bumper bodies and assemblies, new rubbers and lights of course, and then give everything else a thorough cleaning/polishing, and do some touch-ups to the dark blues, plus some of the inserts are sunken). It also is going to need a new coin door and I'll need to de-rust most of the other exterior metal parts.

Basically, a big project, but certainly doable (I'm not in a hurry). I also have a brand-new schematic and four gorgeous score reel discs that I bought in anticipation of getting this game, along with a brand-new piece of playfield glass.

So my question is what should I do with it? I've got the cabinet, head and pedestal sealed off now inside one of those gigantic plastic bags, and everything else is in boxes or on my workbench.

Please vote in the poll at the top of this thread and also leave me your comments. I'm a bit heart-broken over all of this. Not so much the money I spent, but just that this was a game I've always wanted and, for now, it remains elusive. Thanks!

Yeah but this cabinet is shot structurally. I'm just wondering what most folks would recommend I do with it going forward. I don't mean to come across overly self-critical -- I screwed up and now I realize it. Just need to figure out what the best path forward is.

If I were to go the donor-cabinet route, what is the range of games that are potential donors? All Gottlieb 70s wedgeheads, for instance? How wide a net can I cast?

Thanks, Mike. So a single or multi-player cabinet (where applicable) from 1967 to 1975? Ok I will post an ad on Craigslist and here.

Thanks I'll check them out (I'm not familiar with those guys, but I'm still fairly new to the hobby).

That's how I'm strongly leaning, Darcy. I don't think this cabinet has a future other than maybe as a template for a cabinet-maker if I can't find a donor cabinet.

Yeah if I can't find a donor cabinet I'll start calling around for one.

I hear you, but in this case I don't hold the seller responsible. He was clear with me that it had some termite damage, so I knew there was a risk the cabinet might not be salvageable. I just didn't know the extent until it arrived here. I am fine with it, really. Yes, it's an expensive hobby and I know I'll ultimately end up putting way more $ into Atlantis than I'd ever be able to recoup from it, but that's ok. I want it in my collection forever. The BG is nice, the PF is restorable, and the mechanicals all look good/complete (just will need a tuneup). So my hunt is on for a donor cabinet.

Good news: A local collector is giving me the cabinet from a 1974 Sky Jump to use as the donor cabinet for the 1975 Atlantis I'm restoring.

It does not have a head, however, so I'm looking for an empty wedgehead head I can use for this project. If you have one, or know of one, please PM me.

I've also posted this on the EM Seeking Parts thread and the PNW Buyers' thread.

Thanks!

Ok, I have officially begun the restoration of Atlantis.

My first step was to find a donor cabinet, pedestal and head that I could convert to an Atlantis, since the one i acquired was completely riddled with water and termite damage. A super-nice local collector gave me the cabinet from a Gottlieb Sky Jump and a pedestal, and then he helped me located a good-condition head for $40 in my area!

I picked up the cabinet and pedestal on Tuesday this week, and will get the head hopefully on Thursday this week. Here are pics of the cabinet:

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On Wednesday evening I removed the side-rails (both of which are actually in better shape than the rails I got with the Atlantis cabinet, and which likely will be used on the finished game) and the plastic inserts that the glass slides on.

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On to the next step...

On Thursday, I began the process of stripping all the old paint from the cabinet and pedestal (I'll do this to the head once I acquire it on Thursday next week):

My Home Depot Shopping List for Paint-Stripping:

CitriStrip Paint Stripper (this stuff is AMAZING)
Wide Metal Blade Paint Scraper
2”-3” paint brush
Steel Wool (Heavy gauge)
Heavy Rubber Gloves
Goggles
Respirator
Rags
Drop Cloth
Mineral Spirits

I put the cabinet on sawhorses and, following the directions, applied a layer of the CitriStrip to one side of the cabinet. After 20 minutes, it was ready to be gently scraped with the scraper. The paint came right up -- it was the consistency of cake icing -- and was easily removed after a second time through this process.

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After removing most of the paint, I used a wad of coarse stainless steel to scrub a couple of stubborn spots. Lastly, I used a rag and some mineral spirits to give each surface a nice wipe-down to remove any remaining Citirstrip and paint residue. The result? Nice bare wood.
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I did this on both sides and the front (hadn't done the front yet in photo above), and today I will finish up with the back and the pedestal. I'll then repeat this on the head when I get it on Thursday.

After finishing up today, I will unwrap the old Atlantis cabinet (I have it sealed in plastic as a precaution in case there are any termites still active) and will begin figuring out how to make stencils from the Atlantis artwork. I'll make a run to the craft shop this weekend and get those supplies (will list those out, plus my paint supplies when I get to that point). This will be my first time to try to make stencils, but I think if I take my time I can do this correctly. More to come...

Finished up stripping the back of the cabinet and the pedestal tonight. Will proceed to the head once I get it this week.

Starting to think about the painting process. Has anyone done an Atlantis that can recommend specific paint colors to buy for the stencils? Also, what do you guys recommend for the base-coat? Antique white? And what kind of paint?

Thanks!

Thanks Todd -- I think I will go with an antique white as you suggest.

Ok, I picked up the head that I'm going to use for this Atlantis. Anyone know what game this once came off of, based on the painting (just curious more than anything)?:

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So I now have the cabinet and head stripped of old paint and am ready to begin the bondo/sanding process. I have questions for the Forum on how to repair these areas:

First, at the edge of the sides of the cabinet near the back of the game, there's some chipped wood as shown. Do I just sand this in one direction (toward the end of the cabinet so it doesn't chip further) and fill with Bondo and then sand more? Or do I need to try to get wood-glue down underneath those chips and use a clamp to hold it in place, and then do the bondo/sanding? I appreciate the guidance.

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My second question is how to repair the front laminate of the head. You can see it's slightly de-laminated along one edge and in a few places on other edges. Do I need to try to get wood-glue down in there and then clamp it? And then after it dries I would do any Bondo repairs and sand?

Thanks, guys!

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I didn't realize this head was that old. Will that work as a 1975 Atlantis head? Same shape and dimensions?

I measured the old Atlantis head and the Rack-A-Ball head and, other than the holes that allow the long bolts to connect it to the body of the game being aligned differently (easily overcome), it's virtually identical in dimensions. The Rack-A-Ball is VERY SLIGHTLY deeper than the Atlantis (maybe 1/8 of an inch) but the width and height appear virtually the same. I assume it will accommodate the board and mechanicals from the Atlantis head, then, and that I shouldn't have a problem.

The differences visually are almost imperceptible. I also put the Atlantis glass into the Rack-A-Ball head to make sure it fits well, and it does. I think I'm ok to proceed?

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Started repairing the back-edge of the cabinet shown above where some of the wood was chipped/slightly de-laminated.

I worked wood-glue under the top layer and then pre-drilled holes in a small piece of lumber and used 1.5" screws to clamp it down. The four screw holes will be filled with Bondo when I get to that step. One hole will also be covered by where the leg attaches, and the other three are where there was missing wood anyway (I'll have to Bondo those spots anyway). Should turn out good and be a stronger edge.

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Will do on both suggestions. Thanks!

Thanks, poppapin! Tonight I'm going to hopefully finish up the repair (gluing and clamping for 24 hours) and then will start Bondo/Sanding on Wednesday.

I need to go to the local hobby shop to see what options there are for tracing paper.

Question for the group: What do you use (tracing paper? vellum?) to trace stencils (I have the old Atlantis cabinet art as a guide), and then what do you use to transfer them to card-stock that you then cut-out for the stencils? Not sure how to transfer the stencils.

Yeah I'll have to find the right door for it.

Ok here's one "before" and three "after" shots of that edge at the back-left corner of the game. This was my first time using Bondo so, while not perfect, it's WAY better than it was. I feel pretty good about it! I'll fill in any remaining imperfections with some spackling. I also made similar, smaller repairs to a few other spots on the cabinet, but overall the cab was in pretty good shape.

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