Can you clean marquee artwork?

[jfh2112]

Almost two months ago, I got a working MK conversion and a stripped MK2 original. They're in storage, but I've been pulling parts of them & bringing them to the house for cleaning & stuff.

I pulled the marquees last weekend, and they are just nasty on the back sides. Looks kinda like they got cooked by the fluorescent lights, but judging by all the burn marks on the CP plexi's, I'd say it's probably cigarette tar. I can post pics later if need be (gotta get some batteries for the camera).

Before I start dumping chemicals all over the backs of these marquees, I was wondering if it was even possible to clean them. Or should I just get some repros? I'd like to preserve these if I can.

[AtomSmasher]

Well if your options are to try and restore them or throw them away and buy repros, then you might as well try and restore them.  If you ruin them in the process, then fall back on plan B and buy repros.

[torez]

Hmm, before starting using any heavy chemicals try soaking it in warm water with some sort of soap then wiping gently with some softer cloth to prevent scratching.  If it's still bad, then try something stronger, but I'm afraid a chemical would strip the print.

Did you try Ebay to get the marquee?
Here is one good link for the header plexi and the boards, also:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1992-MIDWAY-MORTAL-KOMBAT-BOARD-AND-HEADER-WORKING_W0QQitemZ160029019371QQihZ006QQcategoryZ13718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mortal-Kombat-Header_W0QQitemZ280018522785QQihZ018QQcategoryZ13716QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If you cannot get the link to work, just look for:
mortal kombat header
mortal kombat plexi
mortal kombat marquee

Think an original part would be better than reproduction;)

Mark

[CheffoJeffo]

Careful with strong stuff like Goof Off ... it ma not get along with the plastic.

I would start with something simple like 409 for cleaning the back.

Cheers.

[NightGod]

Personally, I just hit my Gorf marquee with some warm water to get the bulk of the dust and grime off and left the brownish. I prefered to deal with a bit of dulling of the colors over wiping them off completely.

[_) (V) (-)]

Something I've had a lot of sucess using is that 'scrubbing bubbles' bathroom cleaner by Dow.
It's safe on plastics (least all the one's I've used it on) and doesn't seem to harm paint, yet gets stuff cleaner than a fat mans eatin' hand. Quick too. It works wonders on that keyboard scum! Just give it a light mist and wipe it off about 1-2 min later.

My advice before you try any cleaning agent is, test it on an 'out of direct sight' corner first.

[Lutus]

Cleaner than a fat man's eating hand!!!

 

[jfh2112]

Cleaner than a fat man's eating hand!!!

 

That is comedy gold.  <writing down for future use>

I think I'm gonna try the Dow stuff when I get home. If it doesn't work, I'll just get replacements off eBay.

Thanks for the help!

[NightGod]

Let us know how it goes-I'm always willing to profit off the experiences of other!

[torez]

Hmm, the second link I gave you ... it looks like the marquee has both sides cut off a bit.  Make sure you get the whole piece, so it fits right.  If you plan on keeping MK for a long time, replacement boards may not be a bad solution and the guy has a very clean marquee with it (first link).  $40-50 for all these is not that bad at all.

[jfh2112]

Looks like I'm replacing the MK2 marquee. I tried:

Scrubbing Bubbles
Dawn Power Dissolver (wife's recommendation)
A steamer
Bleach
Magic Eraser
Comet
Industrial glass cleaner

Now, the *front* of the marquee looks great. Except for the brownish tint showing through the Midway logo.

The MK isn't really that bad; I can probably live with it.

I took a Before picture, but I don't see the point of taking an After pic.