Lovely thorough restoration work this - top job!
Thanks mate. I’m really enjoying working on these and hopefully they will look great once I get the decals installedLovely thorough restoration work this - top job!
It’s a spray I like to use as it’s easier push out any lump/air pockets if there’s some fluid in there instead of just air.@Ant-H "Application Fluid"??
Yeah the fluid drys after a couple days so you don't get any issues with them peeling up.Well there ya go! Had never heard of it, nor seen it mentioned anywhere... I'd best get some of that for the next project!! Thanks Ant!
Previously i had either applied dry or used the washing up liquid trick (however never liked the "wet" method as whilst it gave flexability there was always concern about how it affected the adhesion of the decals.... however you cant beat somethig that the trade use for applying Vinyl!
Blimey Ant, I reckon it would have took me all day to do ine decalThe main cabinets are next. I generally always start with the coin door decal as with some designs you need to get this on first in order to try and line up the artwork on the sides.
I actually forgot to take some photos of the coin door decals being applied but once on, I cut around the leg protectors and fishing reel handle and removed the decals.
If you don’t do this, I can pretty much guarantee that you will get wrinkling once the parts have been fitted.
View attachment 252331
I actually find installing the side decals a lot easier that the front.
With the sides, the first job is to wet sand them down and trim some of the excess off the decals.
View attachment 252326View attachment 252327
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If anyone ever installs these decals themselves you have to start with the left side first.
This is due to the left decal having the colours bars present at the lower front corner.
If don’t do this side first, your have issues matching the 2 sides up.
View attachment 252330
I basically trimmed this off along with the bottom corner at the other end of the decal to line up the decals. I could then match up the other side to this so that they matched as close as I could get them.
Once all sides were squared up, I used the transformers again to weigh one end down.
View attachment 252332
And like before, I cut off about a 3rd of the backing paper off followed by a quick wipe down with a tack cloth.
View attachment 252334View attachment 252333
I then spray a good amount of the application fluid and stuck the first end down, pushing out any bubbles with a felt covered squeegee.
Once that’s down, the transformers get removed and the same process is repeated on the other end.
When it comes to removing the excess decals, you can trim the edges with a straight edge and sharpe blade.
I prefer to sand them off as imo you you get a perfect edge and nice bevel.
View attachment 252344View attachment 252335View attachment 252336View attachment 252338View attachment 252337
I then go around and continue to trim around the leg protectors.
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View attachment 252343View attachment 252345View attachment 252346
It basically took me the whole day to get all 3 cabinets done, but It’s was worth taking my time as they came out great.
View attachment 252349View attachment 252350View attachment 252352View attachment 252351
Next job is to restore the underside of all 3 cabinets
Blimey Ant, it would have taken me all day to get one decal right I reckon great work keep em coming.The main cabinets are next. I generally always start with the coin door decal as with some designs you need to get this on first in order to try and line up the artwork on the sides.
I actually forgot to take some photos of the coin door decals being applied but once on, I cut around the leg protectors and fishing reel handle and removed the decals.
If you don’t do this, I can pretty much guarantee that you will get wrinkling once the parts have been fitted.
View attachment 252331
I actually find installing the side decals a lot easier that the front.
With the sides, the first job is to wet sand them down and trim some of the excess off the decals.
View attachment 252326View attachment 252327
View attachment 252328View attachment 252329
If anyone ever installs these decals themselves you have to start with the left side first.
This is due to the left decal having the colours bars present at the lower front corner.
If don’t do this side first, your have issues matching the 2 sides up.
View attachment 252330
I basically trimmed this off along with the bottom corner at the other end of the decal to line up the decals. I could then match up the other side to this so that they matched as close as I could get them.
Once all sides were squared up, I used the transformers again to weigh one end down.
View attachment 252332
And like before, I cut off about a 3rd of the backing paper off followed by a quick wipe down with a tack cloth.
View attachment 252334View attachment 252333
I then spray a good amount of the application fluid and stuck the first end down, pushing out any bubbles with a felt covered squeegee.
Once that’s down, the transformers get removed and the same process is repeated on the other end.
When it comes to removing the excess decals, you can trim the edges with a straight edge and sharpe blade.
I prefer to sand them off as imo you you get a perfect edge and nice bevel.
View attachment 252344View attachment 252335View attachment 252336View attachment 252338View attachment 252337
I then go around and continue to trim around the leg protectors.
View attachment 252339View attachment 252340
View attachment 252343View attachment 252345View attachment 252346
It basically took me the whole day to get all 3 cabinets done, but It’s was worth taking my time as they came out great.
View attachment 252349View attachment 252350View attachment 252352View attachment 252351
Next job is to restore the underside of all 3 cabinets
couldnt agree more ....ants work is second to noneThe best do er upper of pinball machines in the Uk, by far. Great work Ant
100% agreeThe best do er upper of pinball machines in the Uk, by far. Great work Ant
For sure - attention to detail is top notch. Proper job!These look great, good to see these games getting the proper treatment they deserve.
Top end work for sure
Numero uno!
Thanks mate, and yeah it does feel like a production lineIncredible work on these. Its like a production line!
Fishy no.1 used to be mine. I picked it up from a non collector on FB marketplace. I did the MPU repair (it was my first ). Not sure those Panasonics were mine though haha.
Yeah I don’t mind sharing my work. My thinking behind it is if anyone wants to restore there own game, they might be able to use some of my photos as a guide to help themFor sure - attention to detail is top notch. Proper job!
Very good of you to share your work in such detail also.
These will be keepers wherever they end up
Yeah I forgot how much fun Fish Tales is to play.These look great, good to see these games getting the proper treatment they deserve.
Top end work for sure
Numero uno!
Wonderful stuff AntAfter a lot of sanding I was happy that all 3 boards were ready for paint. I even managed to completely remove the yellow staining on FT No2.
I masked up all the holes and gave them a good coat of high build primer first.
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When dry I flatted this down with 600 grit sand paper and cleaned the surface with panel wipe. I then applied 3 thin coats of a matt white paint.
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By slowly building up the paint it results in the nice smooth finish.
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I left the paint t to fully dry over night before masking up the holes on the other side so I could seal the back of the boards with a satin clear coat.
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I also dyed the lamp sockets for FT No1 and fitted them in place, followed by the GI and flasher harness and the brackets.
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Once the first one was done I just repeated the process for the other 2 games and fitted the boards back to each back box.
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I also made a new cover plate decal to goes on the top of the game.
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The final job to finish these off is to apply new caution labels to the fronts but I just need to print them.
Last job I did was to reinstall the cabinet harnesses and cable clips.
The owners or Fishy No1 and 2 wanted the harness braided which for me, after replacing lamp sockets and switches is one of the most boring and time consuming job there is, but forced myself to do it
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Fishy No1
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Fishy No2
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Fishy No3
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I’ll tidy the wiring up and then the Toppers will be next followed by the armour and I want to try out a mod on the fishing reel handles on all 3 games.
Cheers Andy.Stunning Ant absolutely Stunting! you have gone far and beyond in the terms of “restoration” these are so much more and very tastefully done imo