Restoration "rules"

[matman]

I will say i'm half joking when I say that sometimes I feel like there should be restoration rules - or the ten commandments of arcade restoration.

for example, in my ms. pac restoration - do I restore the joystick by getting a new centering grommet and leaf switches as needed? or do i use a newer replica joystick that can be purchased for 20bux.  both are probably acceptable, but in the restoration community, which is "preferred".

Another thing is artwork..is it better to have original paint job that is somewhat jacked or get it repainted using stencils..or put up stickers?

I guess its kind of like automobile restoration.  There are the purists and there are others - in the end, I think I personally just want the experience of playing ms. pac like it was when i was 10...its just that now that I am older i've become much more particular on what is vintage and what is not.

[channelmaniac]

Where possible, I treat them like antiques... Only do what is necessary. If they look too bad then they get treated to new paint, CPOs, etc, but unless absolutely necessary they stay original.

[Level42]

- in the end, I think I personally just want the experience of playing ms. pac like it was when i was 10...

So you absolutely need the original leaf joystick for that and not some modern micro-switch thing.

Artwork depends. I can live with some wear on the sides. But it also depends on availability of original artwork.

F.I. if Rich from ThisOldGame will finish the complete artwork set for SW cockpit, I'd be very tempted to buy it. Even though my current artwork doesn't look that bad at all, there's nothing that beats brand new. And this is silk-screened from the original films. No way that can be wrong.  But if I'd have to go with scanned stuff I'd not go for it.

On the other hand, I've got ink-jet printed CPO's on two of my machines because A) the originals were damaged B) there are no silk-screened versions.

Not to end this thread early, but the rule is there are no rules. Everyone has a different approach and every cab or even part of a cab can differ in restoration needs.

[CheffoJeffo]

Not to end this thread early, but the rule is there are no rules. Everyone has a different approach and every cab or even part of a cab can differ in restoration needs.

+1

Although, yeah, you want an original MsPac stick. 

[RayB]

My Rules:

- #1 I use New Old Stock as much as possible (NOS); Reproduction as second choice (no matter what, repros almost always have slight errors, be it in color, details or texture of the material).

- Original controls, in correct colors (though ironically, I often use new buttons)

- Trackballs I rebuild with new rollers and bearings, and new ball

- Replace anything too worn. Minty looking control panels are most important to me.

- Repaint anything that is rusting, flaking, bubbling, using same color and texture of paint.

- If original wiring and circuit boards are there, keep them. I never bother re-wiring. If it works, don't fix it.

- In Atari cabs: Replace big blue, recap AR-II

- Clean all connectors and edge connector traces

- Side art: Touch up nicks and blemishes. I don't think I'll ever bother re-painting with stencils. If a cabinet has bad stenciled side-art, I'd rather find another better cab, and do a parts transplant, than re-paint. If it's a cabinet with original stickers in bad shape, I re-sticker.


That's pretty much it. I try to make it look as new as possible, using original parts if possible, and then I draw the line at re-painting stenciled side-art, or redoing woodgrain, if what's there is good enough and not too damaged.

[mikejkelley]

I guess it depends on whether you collect arcade games because they're fun to play or you'd rather be able to brag that you made a box of wires look very much the same as it did 20 years ago.

j/k, it's cool that someppl go through so much trouble to restore a cabinet, but I see no reason to get all hung up about it (and I have a lot of hang-ups)!

Just my 25¢.

[Level42]

I said there were no rules but there really is one rule.

Only Mame an original if there is really no other option. And even then only to get the orignal game/controls working again....




 

[RayB]

I guess it depends on whether you collect arcade games because they're fun to play or you'd rather be able to brag that you made a box of wires look very much the same as it did 20 years ago.

j/k, it's cool that someppl go through so much trouble to restore a cabinet, but I see no reason to get all hung up about it (and I have a lot of hang-ups)!

Just my 25¢.

I understand your point, but it's like buying a house that looks like sh!t and not caring about it. I guess some people like living in sh!t. It's just a box to sleep in and keep rain out, right? 

Sarcasm aside, one benefit is wife approval. They tend to HATE the machines when they are dirty and smelly, but appreciate them a bit more when they look nice. It's like restoring a classic car.