I picked this up from Electric Circus, it wasn’t pretty let’s just say! It worked and played with a few problems.
First thing I had to do was fix the backbox hinges as it nearly fell off when I set it up, only held on by a thread with one bolt.
Next backbox lift trim missing, had a spare.
Next the flippers needed attention, spongy and not making ramps, took them apart and one of the end stops was inside the coil sleeve. I had a some WPC rebuild kits that I fitted and now the flippers are powerful and snappy.
Bell not working, all looked good. Traced wires and all good, switch was making contact but no bell. Metered the switch and even though closed not continuity, get a small diamond file out and clean the contacts and all is well.
Topper not lighting up, easy all lamps blown so new lamps fitted.
Half backbox lights not working others dim, told probably lamps (classic) GI connector burnt, replaced with new one and all working.
Now the biggy, playfield was a mess. Very dirty, raised crazed inserts, one insert (Gorby) had a hole in it and looked like it was going to collapse, loads of ball marks and lines.
I was gutted but let’s see what I can do to make it better as I didn’t want to go the hardtop/playfield route as it cost enough already.
I bought a playfield decal set from MOP and a playfield protector.
Stripped the playfield to find the spinout ramp had gaffer tape covering a big hole from ball damage, part of the reason the spinout only reached about 2 hits of the switch.
Got the freeze spray out and took the sling mylar protection off and cleaned it all up.
Used foam cleaner and it took a load of dirt off so now I can see what I need to deal with, loads of ball marks and lines. Put some cutting compound on and started rubbing everywhere, did this a few times and looking much nicer.
Banged all the raised inserts down.
Next I used a flat wide stubby screwdriver to take the layer and art off all inserts as they were trashed, I tried a chisel first but a bit brutal. Worked really well, polished them all up.
Had to use clear epoxy resin to fix the Gorby insert, stuck mylar underneath then levelled the playfield and dripped the resin into the hole above. Let it dry and add a bit more resin, was slightly proud but sandpaper will sort that.
Bought a magic sponge eraser, never used one before. Was amazing took out 90% of all the marks and lines, made a big difference and no worries about going through the paint.
Cleaned it down with isopropyl alcohol and started fixing on the decals, did this wet and easier than I thought it would be. Had a floodlight on underneath to get them spot on and worked.
Let it all dry for a few days then put some polish over the whole playfield to bring out the colours.
Next I fitted 2smd LED’s to the GI, then Titan black rubbers and yellow Cliffy sleeves.
Cleaned the ramps and flame polished them, put better tape on the hole/damage of the spinout ramp. Did try to flame polish that but only improved a bit.
Polished the metal ramps and put some stuff in a tumbler.
Put it all back together and was forever taking things back off to fit something else
Thought I was finished but wondered why the ball was acting weird coming out of the spinout, I forgot to put the steel spring flap back
Came out much better than I thought and looks pretty good considering parts cost.
Plays fast and smooth, Taxi!
Before:
After:
View attachment trim.C7EC20EE-72C0-4176-8189-C9359239020E.MOV
First thing I had to do was fix the backbox hinges as it nearly fell off when I set it up, only held on by a thread with one bolt.
Next backbox lift trim missing, had a spare.
Next the flippers needed attention, spongy and not making ramps, took them apart and one of the end stops was inside the coil sleeve. I had a some WPC rebuild kits that I fitted and now the flippers are powerful and snappy.
Bell not working, all looked good. Traced wires and all good, switch was making contact but no bell. Metered the switch and even though closed not continuity, get a small diamond file out and clean the contacts and all is well.
Topper not lighting up, easy all lamps blown so new lamps fitted.
Half backbox lights not working others dim, told probably lamps (classic) GI connector burnt, replaced with new one and all working.
Now the biggy, playfield was a mess. Very dirty, raised crazed inserts, one insert (Gorby) had a hole in it and looked like it was going to collapse, loads of ball marks and lines.
I was gutted but let’s see what I can do to make it better as I didn’t want to go the hardtop/playfield route as it cost enough already.
I bought a playfield decal set from MOP and a playfield protector.
Stripped the playfield to find the spinout ramp had gaffer tape covering a big hole from ball damage, part of the reason the spinout only reached about 2 hits of the switch.
Got the freeze spray out and took the sling mylar protection off and cleaned it all up.
Used foam cleaner and it took a load of dirt off so now I can see what I need to deal with, loads of ball marks and lines. Put some cutting compound on and started rubbing everywhere, did this a few times and looking much nicer.
Banged all the raised inserts down.
Next I used a flat wide stubby screwdriver to take the layer and art off all inserts as they were trashed, I tried a chisel first but a bit brutal. Worked really well, polished them all up.
Had to use clear epoxy resin to fix the Gorby insert, stuck mylar underneath then levelled the playfield and dripped the resin into the hole above. Let it dry and add a bit more resin, was slightly proud but sandpaper will sort that.
Bought a magic sponge eraser, never used one before. Was amazing took out 90% of all the marks and lines, made a big difference and no worries about going through the paint.
Cleaned it down with isopropyl alcohol and started fixing on the decals, did this wet and easier than I thought it would be. Had a floodlight on underneath to get them spot on and worked.
Let it all dry for a few days then put some polish over the whole playfield to bring out the colours.
Next I fitted 2smd LED’s to the GI, then Titan black rubbers and yellow Cliffy sleeves.
Cleaned the ramps and flame polished them, put better tape on the hole/damage of the spinout ramp. Did try to flame polish that but only improved a bit.
Polished the metal ramps and put some stuff in a tumbler.
Put it all back together and was forever taking things back off to fit something else
Thought I was finished but wondered why the ball was acting weird coming out of the spinout, I forgot to put the steel spring flap back
Came out much better than I thought and looks pretty good considering parts cost.
Plays fast and smooth, Taxi!
Before:
After:
View attachment trim.C7EC20EE-72C0-4176-8189-C9359239020E.MOV
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