Stainless steel coindoor, how to restore ?

[Level42]

This is probably a Euro-thing, but many games had/have stainless steel coindoors.
My Centipede has one, and it looks pretty bad:



I got another door that looks a lot better, no dents at all on that one, but there's lots of scratches on it.

Is it possible to remove/reduce the scratches ? What would be the best way, can I sand this or should it only be polished ?

Any tips welcome !

[CheffoJeffo]

I know that there are "scratch removal" kits for SS appliances, but have not used them.

I was wondering if Marvin3m might have some tips since in North America, steel doors were found mostly on pinball machines (or on vids made by the pinball companies), but my search-fu is not strong this morning.

[Ken Layton]

First take the door off the machine. Then take all the parts off the door. By covering the door with a couple of layers off masking tape on both sides, you can use auto body hammers and tools to take out the dents. Then take all the tape off. Run a rag moistened with lighter fluid or lacquer thinner over the door to remove any sticky residue. Now get some rags and a can of BRASSO. Lots of elbow grease and the Brasso will shine it up nice.

Of course you could take the bare door to an auto body shop (if you've got the money) and they could get the dents and scratches out very professionally. The door would look great then.

[danny_galaga]

you're only problem with polishing etc, is that door has a brushed finish. so would either have to make the whole thing shiny by lots of polishing, or else find a way to re- 'brush' finish the polished bits. maybe a wire wheel on an angle grinder for instance...

[richms]

Polish will take ages, start with sanding it and work up to the 2000 before polishing since that will take the brushed finish out easier.

Now, if you _want_ the brushed finish... then I have no idea...

[Level42]

Great tips guys, thanks !

Here are some pics of the other door that I've got. I will put this one in the Centipede as this is much better already. The only problem with it or the scratches:

[danny_galaga]

Polish will take ages, start with sanding it and work up to the 2000 before polishing since that will take the brushed finish out easier.

Now, if you _want_ the brushed finish... then I have no idea...

actually, thats probably the answer there. i got hung up on polishing when someone mentioned it. but if you were to sand with the right grade and purely in the direction of the 'grain' it could look just like the original brushed finish...

[ChadTower]

Of course you could take the bare door to an auto body shop (if you've got the money) and they could get the dents and scratches out very professionally. The door would look great then.

I wonder how much that would cost... I have to do the door to my Black Knight when I restore it.

[WunderCade]

Level42....you don't want to American-ize it by making it a nice satin black? That would solve your entire problem, no? Plus...and I know this is my opinion only, but it'd probably look better that way, no?

[richms]

I asked a friend, the brushed finish is how the metal is supplied to the fabricators before they stamp it, he could think of no way of repairing the finsish on something that was not flat like a bare sheet of metal.

[Level42]

I asked a friend, the brushed finish is how the metal is supplied to the fabricators before they stamp it, he could think of no way of repairing the finsish on something that was not flat like a bare sheet of metal.

I was afraid of that.
I might just put the best one of the two on the Centipede and live with the scratches.

Wundercade: Amercan-ize it ? No way !  This is an Irish built cab. If I would have to Amercan-ize it that would mean getting the American Marquee, side-art, bezel and CPO because all are different from the Euro version. Waste of money  and unnecessary I like the Euro bezel better. OK the marquee is a bit gay-colored but I'll live with that 

The metal look of the coindoor, well it's different for sure. Wether I like it better than black painted or not......let's say you get used to it and it is original of course.

[RayB]

It's ugly. Sticks out among the surrounding black.

[Malenko]

I'd paint it black, heh

[Level42]

Atari Ireland put these in in the early 80's. It's gonna stay like it is. Blank stainless steel. Stick to the original. (as much as I want and like )

[ChadTower]

Maybe this helps a little?

[Jess--]

Maybe this helps a little?

very helpful post there chad

[Level42]

Indeed !!! Thanks !

[ChadTower]

I was looking up ways to do that myself since the Tank II CP is brushed stainless as well.  Plus I have to do a playfield swap on a Black Knight soon and want to touch up the ramps this way.  I just wish the guy had listed what product that disc is...

[ChadTower]

Contacted the guy...

http://www.mysimon.com/9000-13550_8-0.html?sdcq=keyword-3m+scotch+brite

3M 9415NA Finishing Sander