Restoring a Journey cabinet!!! Need some tips...

[ArtMAME]

I scored a non-working Tetris over the weekend, which just happens to be in a Journey cabinet!!!   

Most of the Journey parts are gone except the transformer, and maybe the partial harness.   

The Journey cabinet is made of MDF like typical Bally/Midway cabinets.  It is solid for the most part, but has some water damage on the bottom edges. 

How do you guys tackle water damage on the bottom edges of MDF cabinets?

Also, the dark blue on the sides is glass-smooth.  It doesn't peel like a regular side sticker, so I am thinking it is some kind of high quality auto body paint job or something. 

Does anybody know if these Journey cabinets were painted or if they were made with a big piece of blue vinyl on the sides? 

I will get the artwork and overlays soon.  I just need to get the cabinet in good shape to apply them.  I also need to either make or install a control panel. 

Does anybody know if the Journey control panel is interchangeable with any other Bally/Midway CP like Ms. Pacman or Galaga?  If not, then I might replicate one out of wood.

Any tips would be appreciated.  Thanks. 
 

[Crowquill]

Does anybody know if the Journey control panel is interchangeable with any other Bally/Midway CP like Ms. Pacman or Galaga?  If not, then I might replicate one out of wood.

I'm not positive, but I'd think they're probably interchangeable with CPs from similar Midway cabinets (namely Blue Print and Bump N Jump). In storage I have a Blue Print CP that was converted to Last Duel. I'm not sure what CP layout Journey had, but all the original holes from Blue Print are still there (plus a couple new ones). I took off the side CP clamp brackets, but never found another use for the panel. It's yours if you want to pay shipping. Just shoot me a PM.

[Crowquill]

I still haven't gotten the Blue Print panel out of storage, but I checked the flyers and Journey and Blue Print have the identical widths. I'd say it's a good sign. Bump N Jump is a bit more narrow.

Judging from pictures I'd say the CP layout is the same or at least extremely similar, too.

[Kevin Mullins]

Most of the Journey parts are gone except the transformer, and maybe the partial harness.   

Damn..... that means the eight-track is missing too huh?   

[ArtMAME]

Most of the Journey parts are gone except the transformer, and maybe the partial harness.   

Damn..... that means the eight-track is missing too huh?   

Yeah... no eight-track...

But, I did find a coupon inside for an extra Journey tape...

[ArtMAME]

Just powered up the thing and the darn Tetris board works!!!  The monitor has severe Tetris burn-in but it looks pretty decent with Tetris running on it...

Gee... it's such a shame this cabinet will be converted to a Journey real soon...

[Cakemeister]

So far, so good, don't stop believin'.

[Zakk]

Looking forward to seeing this completed!

[BUCKETHEAD]

I LOVE JOURNEY!!!

I think this machine had a cassette tape and player in it ?

Not an 8 track ?

Im not sure though?

[ArtMAME]

I LOVE JOURNEY!!!

I think this machine had a cassette tape and player in it ?

Not an 8 track ?

Im not sure though?

Yeah, it is supposed to be a tape.  I have found a sample for MAME that some one made using the original tape as a guide.  It is supposed to be supported in the later versions of MAME.

In all likelyhood, this machine will be a full cosmetic restoration with a MAME box inside since the artwork is commercially available, but it is darn near impossible to find Journey parts. 

I have done a several machines like this, using the arcade monitors for native resolution.  I even did a Tempest using an SVGA arcade monitor at 800x600 resolution.  Looks great, and less headaches than trying to keep the original hardware running.

[BUCKETHEAD]

I have done a several machines like this, using the arcade monitors for native resolution.  I even did a Tempest using an SVGA arcade monitor at 800x600 resolution.  Looks great, and less headaches than trying to keep the original hardware running.

I hear ya man!  I'm doing a restore on my Tron.

Most of the time, The original hardware is a headache on these old machines.

I will be going your route, With my Tron.

Less headaches! 

[ArtMAME]

I have done a several machines like this, using the arcade monitors for native resolution.  I even did a Tempest using an SVGA arcade monitor at 800x600 resolution.  Looks great, and less headaches than trying to keep the original hardware running.

I hear ya man!  I'm doing a restore on my Tron.

Most of the time, The original hardware is a headache on these old machines.

I will be going your route, With my Tron.

Less headaches! 

You know... I have a Tron also that I am planning to go that route with.  I have all the artwork now, just got to to a complete strip, repaint, etc... big project!!!  Much excitement!!!  Just waiting for the right time... I have 8 other cabinet projects in the garage right now.  I am saving Tron for a special ocaision...

[BUCKETHEAD]

You know... I have a Tron also that I am planning to go that route with.

You got that right !  It's a big project alright !

[BUCKETHEAD]

Hey, Checked out your website. Cool stuff there!

Noticed you are in GA.

You are not far from me.  I'm in SC.

[ElGwako]

what artwork will you be using? the ones i see for sale look lousy. I am told they are copies of the flyer artwork and are not die-cut like the original so they look kind of odd. I picked up a Time Soldiers game that was in a Journey cab a while back. I intended to restore it but came to realize it is too difficult to get all the parts. Without available artwork i decided to hold off.
The CP overlay was reproduced though and looks great...THAT i may pickup soon to have on hand when i get back to restoring it.
J

[amplific]

man ive been looking every for a journey machine! thats exciting you found one

[SavannahLion]

But, I did find a coupon inside for an extra Journey tape...

Write to M.A.G. and see if they'll honor it 

[ArtMAME]

Got a Blueprint control panel from Crowquill that fits perfectly on there.  Thanks Crowquill!!!  You Rock!!!

[BUCKETHEAD]

You may find this guy's website of some interest ?

http://www.zfcamaro.com/ArcadePictures/Games/Journey.html

Also did you get my PM?

I did write you back my friend !   

[TOK]

This guy has NOS control panel overlay and sideart.
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdkrolewski

[BUCKETHEAD]

Here is some sideart, CP overlay and marquee.

http://www.mamemarquees.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=JOURNEY&osCsid=ab003d9c9ed8093101e69ca2a4f08805&x=12&y=15

[ArtMAME]

Hey,  thanks for the link.  I know what I want for Xmas 

I did receive your PM btw.

[BUCKETHEAD]

I will be in touch with you one day 4 sure!

As i would like 2 get some dimensions on that Journey cabinet.

I would love to build one someday!   

[Crowquill]

Glad the CP worked out!

Coincidentally, I recently met a friend-of-a-friend in our area has a pretty decent game room including a working Journey (which I got to play for the first time ever). He doesn't hit these boards, but he's on KLOV's forums fairly often. Right now I can't remember his username, but if you have any questions I might be able to ask him or have him check his. I'm trying to hunt down some decent artwork to redraw a new vector marquee for him. I'd be glad to share that file once we get it together.

[RayB]

update please.
let's see what's under the black paint

[Encryptor]

I have the cpo and sideart in jpg format if you want them. The sideart image is like 22" x 30" so it's quite large. One file is 6mb and the other is 7mb.


Encryptor