Arcade Collecting > Restorations & repair
Centipede Mini Restoration
ChadTower:
Gotta admit I don't see how a "hobby business" can make money from the difference between painted bolts and blue oxide bolts.
MaximRecoil:
--- Quote from: Wade on November 04, 2009, 06:57:40 pm ---We're not talking about show guns, we're talking about bolt heads on videogames.
--- End quote ---
I knew that line was coming. Seriously, as I walked into the kitchen after making that post, I knew someone would misunderstand the reference to the revolvers, despite the fact that I posted the following sentence, which explicitly stated the point of the gun reference:
"In any event, the point is; the more polished/smooth the steel is prior to bluing, the less it looks like paint after bluing; and Atari used fairly smooth bolts."
The revolvers were an extreme example of just how different bluing can look from paint, but it is a sliding scale, and Atari carriage bolts are closer to looking like a gun finish than looking like paint. If talking about the black oxide finish on e.g., a sheetrock screw, then that looks similar to flat black paint because the screws are in a very crude/rough state when they are finished.
--- Quote ---I've used new blackened bolts and painted bolts on a couple dozen video and pin restorations, and no one has yet to comment about any of the bolt heads not looking right. Like I said... in my opinion, painted ones look better than the factory finish most of the time. If you're that particular about your bolt heads, I'd like to see the other parts of your games! :)
--- End quote ---
I'm particular with regard to things being correct; but not necessarily with the exact condition of everything. I'd prefer original bolts with some finish-wear on them to brand new bolts with a perfect, but incorrect finish. The same applies to many other things on the machine, e.g., original art in decent condition vs. brand new inkjet art.
Painted bolts scream "homemade".
SirPeale:
--- Quote from: ChadTower on November 04, 2009, 07:01:31 pm ---
Gotta admit I don't see how a "hobby business" can make money from the difference between painted bolts and blue oxide bolts.
--- End quote ---
Drops in a bucket, but drops add up.
Paint also doesn't stand up, esp on a control panel.
Plus I like the way the bluing looks more.
And...oh wait, I don't have to explain anything to anyone. If paint works good for everyone else, fine. I'll keep plugging away at getting these properly blued.
Wade:
--- Quote from: MaximRecoil on November 04, 2009, 07:48:23 pm ---I'm particular with regard to things being correct; but not necessarily with the exact condition of everything. I'd prefer original bolts with some finish-wear on them to brand new bolts with a perfect, but incorrect finish. The same applies to many other things on the machine, e.g., original art in decent condition vs. brand new inkjet art.
--- End quote ---
Okay, well, I can't argue with your preference. Obviously, I'm in the middle of the road as far as originality is concerned. I often make compromises in order to have a nicer/newer/cleaner/more durable game, but sometimes those have a drawback as far as originality, durability, etc. Sometimes I'll use laminate which is more durable than the original finish, other times I'll use replacement t-molding or artwork that looks nicer than a worn original but is not as durable long term.
I've also taken regular non-blackened bolts and polished them to a mirror shine. Not original or correct, but sure looks great!
Do you have a link to a web album or blog about your games? Just wondering if you're this particular about all aspects of your games, or just the bolt heads. :)
--- Quote ---Painted bolts scream "homemade".
--- End quote ---
Now that's just a low blow! :) You call it "homemade", I call it "better than factory."
Wade
MaximRecoil:
--- Quote from: Wade on November 04, 2009, 10:03:11 pm ---Do you have a link to a web album or blog about your games? Just wondering if you're this particular about all aspects of your games, or just the bolt heads. :)
--- End quote ---
None of my machines are restored, but they are original or OEM in the areas which I consider important, and/or when possible. My Missile Command looks the nicest; almost could be HUO. There are a few things I want to do to it (like rebuilding the trackball, finding a control panel that has the original direct printed art still in good shape, and getting new cones and buttons), but it is pretty nice as-is:
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Those pictures were taken by the previous owner (it still looks the same).
My Super Punch-Out machine would be next; almost as nice as the Missile Command, but I had to search out some stuff for it (like finding a control panel with its original CPO in good shape).
The biggest flaw with the SPO machine is the security bar holes. Ideally the holes wouldn't be there in the first place, but since I don't intend to restore the machine (I'll never restore it unless perhaps if someone can figure out a way of exactly duplicating the original unique Nintendo black finish on the cabinet, which is still in decent shape on my machine), I decided to plug the holes with black carriage bolts. I found some from a pinball supply place with a smooth head and a nice smooth black oxide finish, made by Midway, which were perfect for the job. So yeah, the security bar mounting holes suck, but at least the filler bolts look good (lol):
Picture
My Ikari Warriors and SFII machines are pretty rough (but fully functional). I may restore those at some point. I'm not concerned about using a non-original finish on those cabinets, such as paint or laminate, because those are just dime-a-dozen Dynamo cabinets anyway; not classic cabinets.
--- Quote from: SirPeale on November 04, 2009, 08:46:42 pm ---
Paint also doesn't stand up, esp on a control panel.
Plus I like the way the bluing looks more.
--- End quote ---
I agree completely. Paint by its very nature can chip, while bluing can not. Bluing, when it wears, wears gracefully.
And as far as appearance goes, bluing is the next best thing to having steel that is black in the first place (though unfortunately such a thing doesn't exist).
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