Mortal Kombat deconvert / semi-restore

[Wade]

This is a bit different from my usual early 80's classic restorations.  MK1 and MK2 have been on my want list as long as I've been acquiring games. Played both a lot and spent a lot of time in the arcades when this title gave videogaming a huge and temporary comeback in the early 90's.

Recently a nice UMK3 (in a MK1 cabinet) and an MK2 came up fairly close by. I like the MK1 cabinet better, and since MK1 has an easy-open panel on the front for swapping PCB's, I figured it'd be the better one to get, and I can add a MK2 PCB later. Also, this MK1 cabinet was one of the nicest I've seen in a very long time. It has 120k plays on it though!!!

Unfortunately, this game needed the MK1 marquee, instruction card, CP overlay, the MK3 "run" holes filled, and some minor wiring changes. This was a relatively easy fix compared to a total restore, but honestly I thought it was going to be MUCH quicker than it was.

This is what I did in approximate order:
* Removed and sold UMK3 stuff
* Bought MK1 marquee and PCB
* Bought MK1 CPO (mamemarquees... only option I could find)
* Removed UMK3 CPO stuff, filled button holes
* Cleaned joystick/button parts and harness
* Installed new CPO
* Cut and installed new plexi over CPO
* Vacuumed inside
* Repaired volume control and test/service switches
* Masked CP and repainted black areas (there's another thread about this)
* Cleaned a lot of random stuff

What's left:
* New T-molding
* New buttons and joys
* Remove and clean/paint coin door
* Find better marquee (mine is trimmed on the edges)
* Install ThisOldGame black vinyl over front (waiting for it to arrive with 720 order).

Wade

[Wade]

"Before" pictures.

Wade

[Wade]

This shows some of the masking/painting on the control panel while in progress.

Wade

[Wade]

Outdated pictures removed.

Wade

[shardian]

Will you be wrapping one big piece around the front, or making seams at the angles?

I personally think painting is better - though slower. My Narc has vinyl on the front, and it is buckled around the coin door.

[Wade]

Assuming the vinyl arrives before I have some nice weather and a chance to paint it... I will probably use one piece over the entire front, then trim out the access door.

My bigger reason for vinyl in this case is because I can install it indoors, no matter what the weather is like outside.  *IF* I get a couple of warm days over this coming weekend and time off work, I'll probably go for it with paint.  I'm just trying not to get my hopes up.

Wade

[Cyberflexx]

Nice work.. Looking good..    I cant wait to play it!

Hey.. isnt this the machine that Cyberflexx found for you??? 

[Wade]

Nice work.. Looking good..    I cant wait to play it!

Hey.. isnt this the machine that Cyberflexx found for you??? 

I forgot you'd signed on over here!  Ah yes, that is the one you discovered and sent my way... thankfully!

I'm going to try to paint the front over the holiday.  Just need a little warm weather.

Wade

[Reptilz]

WOW, that cabinet is NICE.  The sideart is perfect.  No Fading.  What a find...Let me know if you ever plan on selling it.

[Wade]

True "after" pictures.

A few weeks ago I disassembled, cleaned, and repainted the coin door.

Today I finally had a chance to repaint the front and install the new tmolding.  I have all new buttons waiting to be installed, but that won't warrant updated pictures I'm sure.

Wade