Starting to restore my first cabinet...

[jonnyv]

So, I purchased an old Golden Axe cabinet from someone in town here. This is my first attempt at restoring a cabinet.

I am looking for some suggestions and direction. I am going to use the box as a MAME cabinet. I am not handy (yet) with woodworking skills, but am going to give it my best effort.

Here are some pics of what I now have.

The paint is flaking off. What is the easiest way to strip it down to the wood? Some sort of paint remover, or a belt sander? I don't care about the artwork/stickers on the side. They are in bad shape anyway. I will replace them with my own sometime.


Here is where the control panel will eventually be. I am guessing that I will have to make a custom CP to fit in here, because it is not flush.


Your direction will be extremely helpful.

Thanks!

[shardian]

That appears to be a dynamo cabinet. If so, you could just buy used metal control panel for it. Then it would just bolt on.

As to the sides, use a heat gun to remove the sticker, then hit the sides with some good stripper.

[jonnyv]

Thanks.

Any thoughts on where I could get a dynamo CP? And any way to double check that it is a dynamo cabinet?

[shardian]

Well, I just noticed your latches are mounted differently than mine are. If you put up a few better pics showing the full cabinet, and maybe a few dimensions - mainly how wide is the cabinet.

[jonnyv]

I will take some pictures and measurements sometime tonight. I am going to pick up a heat gun and some paint stripper.

Rather than a heat gun, would a hair dryer work? Or not powerful enough?

[shardian]

A hair dryer will help, but when the temp is low those stickers can be a PITA.

Anyways, take a look at this thread:
SFII restore

I believe that is your cabinet. Without a monitor or anything for reference, I was thinking your cabinet was a 19"monitor cabinet (~24" wide).

[jonnyv]

Thanks for your help. Last night I purchased a heat gun for $10 and it took the stickers off without a problem. Then I tested the paint remover, and it worked great. I am going to strip the cabinet sometime early next week and then Bondo the chips.

From what I have read, after priming the cabinet, I should sand it down and re-prime it a few times. I have an electric mouse/corner sander. Do you think that I should I take the extra cash and invest in an orbital sander? And is there a special type of primer I should use?

Thanks again everyone.

[jonnyv]

So, I found out that the bottom-front of my cabinet is not painted. It is some sort of laminate. Has anyone had any experience with painting over that? I don't know if I want to go with a black cabinet, I might go with another color.

Should I sand it, and then prime it with some Kilz? Should I NOT sand it and prime it with Kilz?

Second question, when applying the Kilz, should I use the foam roller? Or is that only for the paint.

Thank everyone for their help so far.

[shardian]

If you front has formica laminate on it, sand it with some rough grit sandpaper to "rough up", then prime.

[jonnyv]

Awesome. I will let you know how it goes for me.

I am going to pick up some Kilz this weekend, after I get a new service door for my garage. Someone thought it would be fun to kick in everyone's door on our block.   

[jonnyv]

Ok, so I have the entire cabinet stripped down. Now I just need to start thinking about the control panel.

This is my first cabinet, how do I mount the control panel?  I removed the CP brackets seen in the picture.



Do I make a box, and then screw it in from the sides of the cabinet? Do I get some 'L' brackets and try and mount it that way? Is there an option that I am not thinking of? I just can't visualize how to do it. Maybe a little guidance would be best.

PS. I am just making a fairly small 2-person CP.

[shardian]

Well, the easiest thing to do would be to get a matching metal CP off of ebay, or the BST forum. It will bolt right on.
If you are wanting to custom make a CP box like the one in the Project arcade book, you will have to cut the cabinet like in the picture below.

You then build your box and anchor it blocks and screws.