Best way to remove paint and save sideart

[Magnet_Eye]

I have posted this before, but got limited replies. I have read a few different ideas. I do not want to damage the sideart beneath the paint on my Tempest cab.

What is the best way to go?

-> Goof Off
-> Paint Thinner
-> Safest Stripper (3M)
-> Laquer Thinner
-> Other ?

Thanks!

[kspiff]

I have heard of Goof Off being used to take paint off a Dig Dug cab..

Sorry, yeah, that's the best I can do

[OSCAR]

Here's a few suggestions.

[android]

I actually have experience restoring a crystal castles using 3M's safest stripper. This method requires a lot of elbow grease but 3M is not as toxic as other paint removers. 3M was used to recover vinyl-printed sideart like the ones used on dig-dugs, centipedes, etc. The key is to work in small areas as the 3M needs to be left to work long enough to soften the paint but not so much that it will dissolve the side art itself. The person who I got the cabinet from had better results with a remover that comes in a silver-blue tin can (can't remember the name) but I didn't want to use anything that would produce toxic fumes. Overall, I'm satisfied with the results.

[Brax]

http://www.mameworld.net/massive/Cabinet/Defender/defender.htm

[Magnet_Eye]

i hear that 3M is good, but can hurt the underlying sideart if it is painted rather than decal....any experiences like this?

My cab is a Tempest, does anyone know if it is paint or decal?

 

[android]

Tempest has decals for sideart, and therefore you could restore it with 3M. Somebody in this forum (or in the project announcements one) posted his experience Mame'ing his tempest and he described his sideart as decal-type, rather than painted. Do a search and verify that this is the case. Defender, Gyruss, Pacman, MsPacman, etc. are painted, so recovering the underlying art is tougher, but still possible; however, I've never seen a 100% restoration on painted cabs. Most likely these people recover just enough of the original art so that they can repaint it. Fortunately for you, tempest is not painted.

[Magnet_Eye]

Thanks for the info android. I am thinking i'll go with the 3M safest stripper then.

 

[android]

Tips from my own experience: get a plastic scrapper and a plastic fiber sponge (harder rather than softer). Apply 3M on 2x2 ft areas and let rest for around 10min. Then remove the tar-like paint with the scrapper and finish off with the sponge. Rinse with water when done to stop remaining stripper from attacking the vynil. It will not come out easily, but you will save the sideart. Good luck and, as usual, post pictures!

[Chris]

Are you sure that there's even sideart under there?  Perhaps the decals were removed prior to painting...

[Magnet_Eye]

Yes i am sure its there. Parts of the paint have either scraped or rubbed off, and you can see small pieces of the artwork looking through.  

I'll post pics when i get it done.