Ms Pac Man restoration - Need advice

[nick-g]

I'm in the process of restoring a Ms Pac Man machine.  Sides are original painted with stenciled art.  I have bought replacement vinyl artwork that cover the entire sides and front.  Question is: Do I need to do any prepwork to the cabinet prior to application?  Sanding, painting, cleaning?  The vinyl will cover the entire cabinet (The type available at twobits.com).  Please help!!!!

[WunderCade]

Of course it always better just to stencil new artwork back on...but that's easier said than done.

With stickers, just make sure that your surface is sanded smooth as a baby's behind. Whatever imperfections or debris/specs are left behind will definitely show thru the stickers.

Make sure you use a tack cloth or two on the surfaces to make sure every spec is removed. Get a second set of hands and go slow and methodically follow the enclosed instructions for application.

[nick-g]

Thanks for the advice.  I did not receive any instructions as I bought through an ebay auction.  I was told though that vinyl stickering holds better to a painted or coated finish than a raw wood finish.  Any truth to this?  I have purchased a bottle of Action Tac, which allows for a wet installation for movement and placement.  That might help a bit, but any other advice out there?

[SavannahLion]

I was told though that vinyl stickering holds better to a painted or coated finish than a raw wood finish.  Any truth to this

That's correct, if you sand down to bare wood then use any sort of wet method, the wood will absorb the moisture and swell, thus ruining your baby butt smooth sanding. You'll need to seal the wood with paint or some other appropriate top coat prior to applying the artwork.

I have purchased a bottle of Action Tac, which allows for a wet installation for movement and placement.  That might help a bit, but any other advice out there?

A weak mixture of soapy water will accomplish the same thing as Action Tac.

[nick-g]

Thanks for all the advice! 

[Lutus]

Also, contact any sign or lettering shops in your area and get ahold of one of the "squeegee" type applicator thingies.

I got one of a shop for $1.  Worked great.

I also hear, they use these type appicator devices for wallpaper.

Would definently recommend as they are a godsend for getting the bubbles out and whatnot.

[nick-g]

Awesome!  I bought two of those....will have a buddy help me.  How long would you think I have to place the vinyl and squeegee before it starts to stick?

[Lutus]

I have not done the wet application like you are describing.  I have only done a dry one, and it wasn't really that difficult.

For side art I would definently lay the cab on it's side to apply the art, that way gravity helps.

BUT before doing that, make sure everything is SECURE in that machine and there are no loose quarters or nuts and bolts etc... to get hung up in the circuit boards as that will wreck your day when you turn it back on.

[The_Tyler_Black]

I got one of a shop for $1.  Worked great.

He means to say I got it for him but whatever.

when i went to pick up the squeegy think the guy told me, "if you start to get little bubbles behind the sticker take a pin (or small needle) and poke a hole in the middle of the bubble and rund the squeegy over it to push the air out!" seemed like a great idea if you start to get the bubbles!

[jeffsgames]

no multiboards allowed(follows illegal board links to/or selling)-thanks!

[nick-g]

see above post

Have you tried this kit?  Is it any good?

[jeffsgames]

I have one on my Pac-Man restoration.  It's great.  There are a ton of the different maze variations.  I mainly use it for Pac, Ms Pac, and Pac Plus.  There is also Pengo, a Space Invaders clone, and a few other games.  Has built in high score save, and you can pause a game in process.

Check out my Multi-Pac on my site

[rotheblog]

deleted

[nick-g]

Awesome tutorial!  I've never really worked with a circuit board before, so I may just send my PCB out to get the installation done as I dont want to break anything. 

[Fozzy The Bear]

Make sure to get Mike Doyles' 96-in-1 kit!

It is not permitted to list multi game boards or links to them on this forum. Those boards infringe the copyright of the original manufacturer. Please remove all links and URLs to those boards.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Lutus]

Get 'em Fozzy!!   

Just kidding, that is correct though jeffsgames, please remove the link.  But you can link to your own project thread.....    (there is no nudge nudge smilie so I had to write it out instead)

 

[WunderCade]

This is interesting....so then Jeff's 96-1 isn't an add-on to a existing legal board? Add-ons are not infringement under the law because you legally have the original board. At least that is my understanding.

[Fozzy The Bear]

This is interesting....so then Jeff's 96-1 isn't an add-on to a existing legal board? Add-ons are not infringement under the law because you legally have the original board. At least that is my understanding.

Not correct at all..... It would be legal if the add on didn't contain illegal code. But it's a 96 in 1 board that actually does contain modified original code and that in itself is an infringement of copyright. Not to mention that it also contains the rom code from several other games as well as the modified (and original) Pac-Man code.  If the board was made as a blank that you could load your own rom code onto then the board would not be illegal. As it stands it is.

The rules about links to multi game boards on here are also very clear. It's really all about protecting this forum so that it doesn't get shut down by an Irate Namco, who are well known for being extremely litigious, in protecting their Pac-Man property because they still make money off it. So much so, that anybody who owns and uses one of these should be extremely careful about publicly admitting that they do.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[The_Tyler_Black]

thats very interesting fozzy, thanks for letting us know! even though im not a huge pacman player or an owner of one!

[spacies]

Hi guys,

Could one of you guys please give me some easy measurements I need to complete my drawings?

See here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=78040.40

Many thanks.