Pac-man restoration - Return from Doh!

[Spyridon]

I'm not sure if you mentioned it already, but I assume you're spray painting this ? What method ?

Yep.  I'm using a HVLP sprayer.



And a first for me...automotive paint

[Level42]

I feel  stupid, I remember that picture of your compressor now

I have to check my compressor's details if it's enough for the HVLP method. I thought I read somewhere it requires a pretty large compressor.

Is that a full-size basketball in that pic ? If so, your compressor is bigger than mine but it looks like it's a kid-size basketball ?

[Spyridon]

Is that a full-size basketball in that pic ? If so, your compressor is bigger than mine but it looks like it's a kid-size basketball ?

It's a kid-size basketball

[Spyridon]

Okay, finally found some free time to get back to work on this. (Warning - lots of pictures)

I used some 600 grit sandpaper and lightly sanded the edges of all the red paint.  This did an excellent job of taking down the sharp edges left from the stencil. 

Next up was to apply the blue front stencil.


Then the sides.

The trick was to get all the registration marks to line up

Left side in place

And the premask removed:

I did find a few pieces that hadn't been weeded out.  Luckily I discovered these before painting

And the same process for the right side


Masked off and ready to paint:

Blue paint applied:


Now the reveal....

 




I'm very pleased with the way this is turning out.  It looks like the black will cover all the edges and blend the colors nicely.

[WunderCade]

Sweet! Schwing!!! LOL

That seriously looks amazing. 

So, you just sanded along the edges of the paint. Did it create any issues with haze from where you sanded vs. the unsanded parts? The clear coat would probably take care of any of that, right?

[Spyridon]

So, you just sanded along the edges of the paint. Did it create any issues with haze from where you sanded vs. the unsanded parts? The clear coat would probably take care of any of that, right?

No issues.  In fact, just looking at the red, you can't even tell any of it was sanded.  If you run your finger across it, you can feel the difference.  I think it helps since some of these edges end up getting covered by other colors, they won't stick out as much.  And you are right, I expect the clear coat will cover and smooth everything out.


Thanks for the compliments!

[ZORK2]

AWESOME!!! 

[acevedor2]

Where did you get the stencils?  I have looked for them everywhere, and can't seem to find them?  Thanks and beautiful job!
Cheers,
Ray

[Superully]

* deleted *

[acevedor2]

i got mine from talon2000 on the klov forum

Thanks!  Do you know if he sells them, or did he just happen to have a set?

[Superully]

* deleted *

[shred5]

nope, he sells them. give him my regards from the guy from germany 

Not a good idea posting this in a public forum. should have pm'ed him or let the other guy do it if he trusts him. It is illegal and namco does go after people. Stuff like this can ruin the future for everyone who wants stencils.

Dave

[Superully]

didn't know that! perhaps the above posts should be edited / deleted as well ...

[Spyridon]

Time to add the red to the front. 

Stencil lined up with the registration marks and applied

Premask removed


Hmmm...something seems odd around the mouth.  Why would there be yellow masked off?

Let's check my reference material


Okay, the stencils are wrong.  The blue was supposed to come down and fill that area on the corner of the mouth.    I'll have to touch it up with a brush after the red is done.  Looking at the black stencils, the blue area will end up being kind of small and I should be able to fill it and not have it too noticeable.

Another issue is that the eyes were not masked off on the blue stencil.  If they were, red could have been the first color just like the sides (which would have simplified things).  I'm worried that the blue under the eyes would make the red too dark.  I considered going with a coat of white, but decided to just go forward with red.

Cab masked off and ready for painting

I put on several coats of red, giving the paint a few minutes between each to dry a bit.  This was necessary to get a good color on the eyes.  At first it was way too dark and really noticeable when compared to the mouth.  After a few coats, it all evened out  .

Stencil removed

Here is a close up of the mouth area.  I'll need to fill in the yellow on the upper left side of the mouth with blue paint. 


And the current status of the cab:


Once I fix the mouth issue, it will be ready for the last stencils!  I should have time this weekend for the black paint.

[Spyridon]

I used a small paint brush to touch up the missing blue on the mouth area

[Spyridon]

Time for the final stencil!!!!!

Stencils in place and the cab is masked off for painting

Black paint applied


Now the unveiling...


Now the tedious work.  Lot's of small stencil pieces to remove

Starting to get somewhere





 


It turned out great! 



Next up is some clear coat.  Anyone ever use it before?  Do you sand between coats?  Buff when finished?

[opt2not]

Holy cow! I'm completely stunned by how awesome this restoration is turning out. Great job!

[WunderCade]

Wow, that's nice! 

[Majoraslayer]

That looks INCREDIBLE!  I've been watching this thread closely and have been excited the whole time to see the final paint applied.

[Level42]

 

[orion]

I am truly amazed! Before you start your clear coat, I noticed that the midway copyright info is missing. I am only bringing this because I know you have put in a lot of work into the details, and I wouldn't want you to accidentally overlook anything. I don't think it needs it personally. This has got to be one of the best pac man restorations out there, and I enjoyed watching your progress

[Spyridon]

I am truly amazed! Before you start your clear coat, I noticed that the midway copyright info is missing. I am only bringing this because I know you have put in a lot of work into the details, and I wouldn't want you to accidentally overlook anything. I don't think it needs it personally.

Yeah, I picked up on that.  I need to figure out how to get a stencil made for it.

[orion]

I am truly amazed! Before you start your clear coat, I noticed that the midway copyright info is missing. I am only bringing this because I know you have put in a lot of work into the details, and I wouldn't want you to accidentally overlook anything. I don't think it needs it personally.

Yeah, I picked up on that.  I need to figure out how to get a stencil made for it.

If you give me some time, I can take that element from the pac man file at the arcade art library, which is pretty accurate and lay it out for you. You can take it to a print shop and have made up. I have been sick with the flu (don't think it's the swine flu), so I am a bit slow moving this week, but I will see what I can do.

[orion]

I emailed you a file to your hotmail address. Let me know if it works for you.

[slasherman]

Beautiful colors 

[Spyridon]

Since I'm getting to the end of the painting, I need to get moving on some of the little stuff that is left. 

I did the following over the last few nights:
1. Removed the tape residue from the inner bezel and then spray painted it with flat black paint
2. Painted the two wood screws for the control panel black
3. Assembled the control panel

I was missing the brackets that the hook onto the latches that hold the control panel in place.  I picked up a set from the guy I got the bezel from

The painted carriage bolts turned out nice

4. Worked on the coin door...
Coin mechs were rusted and the chrome was gone

After cleaning up the rust with a dremel, I used some Brialliant Metal paint to make these shine again

I think it turned out pretty good


Next up was to reasemble the coin door.  I didn't have a coin counter so I pulled one from another Midway coin door I had laying around.  When I did my Gorf restore, I picked up a few Midway 25 cent inserts from This Old Game.  As I was pulling these from the parts bin, I ran across this:

Then I remembered this statement from my very first post in this thread

Purchased miscelaneous items from Bob Roberts - new power cord, WG K4600 cap kit (hopefully fixes my monitor issue), new carriage bolts

I forgot that I order carriage bolts for the control panel.  Okay, take joystick apart, take control panel bolts off, remove wood piece, insert carriage bolts....   They don't fit!  Too small.  I ordered Pac-man carriage bolts, but these are obviously for a metal control panel and not for one with the wood underneath.  Wasted time.  I should have realized it before I started swaping them but I didn't.  Put it all back together.  (I like the way the black looks anyway)

Okay, back to the coin door.

Matching the new inserts up with the old ones, they don't match

I'd like to keep the original look, so I cleaned up the old ones with some liquid detergent and warm water.  They cleaned up nicely and I'll be able to save them.

Okay, all parts put back in place and a new lock installed


The Midway logo plate is just laying in place.  I saved the rivets that I drilled out and I will glue them in place.  I need to figure out the best way to adhere the plate to the door first (I have to go back and read Level42's Galaxian restore to see how he did it)


As a reminder, here is what I started with:


5. Painted the Marquee bolts black
6. Painted the speaker carriage bolts black
7. Cleaned and painted (silver) the four vent screens for the back of the cab

I'm working on getting a stencil made for the Midway copyright info for the cab.  Once I get that I can add it and then clear coat.  Then I get to put everything back together!

[SirPeale]

If you can wait I anticipate having the CORRECT rivets for the logo plate.

[Moo2wo]

The coin door looks incredible!

[opt2not]

That coin door & mech cleaned up really well. Looking good!  Glad you stuck with the original 25 Cents inserts, it's so retro.
This is going to be a beauty when it's done, keep up the good work! 

[Spyridon]

If you can wait I anticipate having the CORRECT rivets for the logo plate.

Any idea on how long?  I know you were getting close.  I'd love to go with real rivets.  I'll take a couple sets as soon as you get them!

[SirPeale]

I wish I had a figure.  I'd say no more than a month, if I can get the company I'm working with to cooperate with me.

[RayB]

I hope you complain to the stencil guy. It's great people take the time to make these things for this hobby, but for pete's sake, do it right!

[Spyridon]

I hope you complain to the stencil guy. It's great people take the time to make these things for this hobby, but for pete's sake, do it right!

Can't complain about the stencils, they are beautiful.

[Spyridon]

Couldn't wait any longer for the Midway copyright stencils.  The weather is changing too fast (snow flurries already have been spotted).  I want to get this done before it's too cold to paint.

I added a coat of clear to the cab.


The good news is it now has a really nice protective coating on it.  The bad news is the clear went on with a bit of orange peel texture.  I'm hoping that I can buff that out.

[WunderCade]

Can't wait to see it all together.

Did you let the stencil vendor know about the missing copyrights, the mouth issue, and the improper order of the color stencils for the front?

[Spyridon]

Did you let the stencil vendor know about the missing copyrights, the mouth issue, and the improper order of the color stencils for the front?

Yes, he is making changes to the front stencils, but not sure about the copyright info.

[orion]

Was there an issue with the copyright AI file I sent you?

[Spyridon]

Was there an issue with the copyright AI file I sent you?

No, it was perfect.  I just wasn't able to find someone to print it.  Had two groups that would do it, but it wasn't high on their list so they wouldn't get to it for a while.

[orion]

I understand. I guess I had an advantage with my local printers as my sister in law used to work there and I have been friends with the owner for a long time. I guess that walking in and handing them a file, and watching them print it right then and there is a privilege and not how these places normally do business. I really had no idea. Sorry you couldn't get it made up in time, but it looks great as is!

[Spyridon]

I was really disappointed with the orange peel texture that I got on the clear coat, especially when I'd pull the car into the drive way with the headlights shining on the cab.  I went to work to fix it up.  I started with some 600 grit sandpaper, followed by some fine steel wool, followed by Novus #3, followed by Novus #2, and finally some Novus #1 just to clean it off. 

Took a while but the it looks really good now.  The texture is nice and smooth and the cab is still well protected.  I only did one side so far.  Tomorrow I'll try to get the other side and the front done.  The the cab gets moved to the basement for reassembly!