Missile Command Restoration

[Wade]

I REALLY hate re-typing messages because of something trivial like a file attachment being too large.

[Wade]

First pic: Busted front.  To repair this, I removed the entire front panel, cut out the bad spot, glued in a replacement piece of wood, and clamped it.  Once it was dry, I also screwed a large, flat piece of steel to the back for extra support.  Then I sanded the entire panel with a belt sander, and added brand new black laminate.

Second pic: Repaired front panel.

[Wade]

First pic: old, nasty bottom.  The piece wasn't entirely rotten, but it was too dirty and nasty for me to put the game in my house!  I removed it, and added a brand new piece of ply to replace it.

Second pic: New bottom (and front).

[Wade]

First pic: Dirty monitor chassis.

Second pic: Dirty insides!

I put all the boards in this game, and all the electrical harnesses, in the dishwasher to clean them up.  They really needed it.  The monitor chassis I cleaned with a hose, engine degreaser, and a relatively soft paintbrush.

(Sorry, no AFTER pic just yet)

[Wade]

First pic: Game working after $1 RAM chip replacement (pre-restoration)

[Wade]

The "finished" pics I'll attach later today.



Here is what went into this restoration:

* Complete disassembly and cleaning (even the cabinet inside was hosed out and scrubbed)

* Dishwashing of all boards and harnesses, and just about anything that could fit

* Repaired and repainted coin door (could still use a nicer one)

* Repaired black cabinet areas on front (chips, holes, etc.) with bondo and repainted all black areas so they look new

* Refinished all carriage bolt heads

* Refinished metal marquee bars

* Cut new plywood bottom

* Cut new MDF rear-lower cabinet back (the part where the power cable and power switch are) because the original was in sad condition

* New flourescent bulb & starter

* New sideart

* New T-Molding

* New cone buttons

* New Control Panel overlay

* New Trackball rollers

* New power cord

* Original trackball polished


I damaged some of the sideart when moving it downstairs though!

[Zakk]

Looking forward to updated pics!  Too bad about the sideart, but it still must be much better than the 'before' pics, so don't stress it too much

[Wade]

First pic: Cleaned monitor chassis

Second pic: Cleaned inside (new bottom and lower back panel, boards and harnesses dishwashed)

[Wade]

First pic: Finished (still needs a bezel and new tinted plexi) right side

Second pic: Finished left side

[Wade]

First pic: coin door, new CP, new buttons, etc.

Second pic: The lower back corner I damaged while moving it. It isn't very visible from this angle.  It is pretty minor but it still stinks.

[Wade]

Last pic: It's nice to be able to work on a game and still have clean hands afterwards.

Just FYI, no pics of it ON because it isn't working again! No, it isn't related to dishwashing , I tested the electronics after washing them.  It might be time to install that power supply rebuild kit I bought.

Wade

[rchadd]

its looking great

[SirPeale]

That's...that's...BEAUTIFUL, man.

I want to do something similar with my Sega Space Attack when I get the time.

[tommy]

With everything MAME these days its good to see someone posting on saving a classic. 

[markrvp]

That's really, really nice.  Where are you located and what times are you at work?

[Dire Radiant]

Awesome job. Looks absolutely mint

[Witchboard]

Turned out great!  Good job!

[cbmeeks]

First pic: Dirty monitor chassis.

Second pic: Dirty insides!

I put all the boards in this game, and all the electrical harnesses, in the dishwasher to clean them up.  They really needed it.  The monitor chassis I cleaned with a hose, engine degreaser, and a relatively soft paintbrush.

(Sorry, no AFTER pic just yet)

The dishwasher?  I hope the capacitors were drained...lol

Awesome work

cbmeeks

[Wade]

Thanks for the compliments guys!!  It takes time, but it is rewarding when it's all finished.  Just wish I had more time.

As for the dishwasher comments, I'm just fueling the fire, as there is another thread about it on this forum.

I live in Charleston, WV, and I work 8-5pm.  Why? 

Wade

[Witchboard]

By the time you get home tomorrow, your game will be gone.  I think that's why he wanted the info. 

[Wade]

Ha!  Well if he saw my rear deck, and the path I have to take to get games into the gameroom, then he would know that it is perfectly safe for me to leave my doors unlocked.

Wade

[tommy]

Ok tell the truth, you went back to 1980 and took some pics of a new MC for this thread. 

[MameMaster!]

 .....she's beautiful.

MameMaster! 

[menace]

Holy crap is that sweet!  a true labor of love cause i bet it wasn't cheap    Excellent excellent work!

[markrvp]

Ha!  Well if he saw my rear deck, and the path I have to take to get games into the gameroom, then he would know that it is perfectly safe for me to leave my doors unlocked.

Wade

Well then I guess I'll have to settle for an invitation to your next party

[Paladin]

Fantastic job! 

How did you clean the monitor chassis?  It looks like the same type of metal as coin door lids, and I have one that is nasty.

[Zakk]

That picture is the big nick you were fretting about?? pffft.  Looks good as gold from here.   

[Apollo]

Just amazing dude, truly truly impressed ( and jealous ).

[j123vt_99]

looks really nice.. makes me jealous compared to my missile command

[walls83]

super sweet.  I love missile command.  Great job.  Im going to have to restore one of those.

[IntruderAlert]

WOW!!!
That's completely AWESOME man!!!

[Wade]

Zakk, like I said, that angle doesn't show how bad the spot really is.  Though, it is not terribly noticable unless you are really looking over the game. Careful game placement will hide it...

Menace, yes, it was a labor of love, however it was also inexpensive. I spent a grand total of about $250 on this game, and that is being generous.  I make it a point to try to only get games that are great deals, or I can easily increase the value of.  Having inexpensive, high quality artwork available really helps.  Also, a lot of the materials (plywood, screws, glue, staples, bondo, sand paper, paint, cleaners, leftover formica, etc.) I had around.  I'm kinda turning into a packrat with "scraps", because I can always think of a future use.

If anyone wants to know where to get the sideart for about $60, let me know, I'd be glad to help.

Markrvp, sure, I'll invite you to our next party, you can just fly on up from Texas.

J123vt99, yours can look just as good, thanks to the art repro guys.  It takes some effort to remove the old stuff, and concentration to install the new art, but it is worth it in the end!


Thanks again for all the compliments!  Seeing some of the game restorations on here (such as Kelsey's Centipede) and especially the Missile Command restorations in particular, really made me want to take on this project.  When I see how sharp a restored classic looks, it really makes me want to fix one up.  (this is exactly why I have too many projects in the garage right now!) Hopefully, some of you will do the same.

Wade

[spriggy]

Well done my friend.  Can't wait for the Taito cab! 

[Wade]

Spriggy, I'm sure it won't be nearly as nice as your Mini!

   I just wanted to post a follow up for this thread (game wasn't working after restoration).  Last night, I removed all the chips and sanded them with some fine sandpaper.  They didn't appear very dirty at all, but I didn't know what else to try short of sending it out for repair.  Well, it worked!!

   Thanks for the help and suggestions.  It's great to finally have this game working!

Wade

[Bloinkxp]

Whew.  That is a beautiful restore!

[ChadTower]

How did you clean the inside of the cabinet?  Clearly you didn't actually "hose it down".

[SirPeale]

How did you clean the inside of the cabinet?  Clearly you didn't actually "hose it down".

He may just have.  As long as water doesn't sit in plywood for extended periods, and is removed promptly, it should be okay.  I've hosed out a couple *plywood* cabs now.  I wouldn't do it with MDF or particle board, though!

[ChadTower]

ah... I guess I still have some learning to do on the differences between plywood and mdf.

[Wade]

Yeah, I literally hosed it down.  That is after vacuuming the loose stuff of course.  I don't always take the hose to them but I always at least wash them out with a wet rag or sponge.  I also usually use Bleche-Wite or Bleache Water on the insides which helps to clean them up, remove stains, and get rid of nasty smells.  Sometimes Dawn water.  I have painted the inside of some games with bad stains, or games which I was afraid to get wet because of current condition.

Plywood, MDF, and particle board can all withstand water.  But how much water depends on a lot of factors.  Age, and current condition, are the biggest ones.  And you don't want to leave the water on any longer than necessary.  Standing water is what really rots the wood.


I have put all three materials outside to sit in the rain as a test.  They all held up well for awhile.  Plywood is the best.  Some plywood can last for years outside if not in standing water.  MDF and Particle board can hold up to a few rains usually without swelling, but it depends on the quality.  Also, even after swelling, most MDF and particle board stay pretty strong.  There is a piece of particle board on my rear deck that came of one of my mini Simpsons cabs that has been there since around February, and it is swollen but still pretty strong.

After doing this "test", I am convinced that games that show even slight water damage (my T&F cocktail... this Missile Command... my Moon Patrol) have ACTUALLY been in water a significant amount.  The games with serious water damage must have been sitting in a puddle for a long time or in direct rain.

Fortunately, it can usually be repaired with some wood hardener or some kind of sealer, then some careful sanding.

Wade

[Level42]

I know this is an old thread but that's one of the great things of the restoration section....never seen this one !

Amazing work Wade 

I assume you got it running again, what was the problem the second time ?

What's your hi-score. I just got my MC cabaret running and man what a hard game this is....I only get to the first or second "blue" level......