The Aussie Pinball Arcade

Aussie Pinball Forums => Restorations => Topic started by: johnwartjr on March 12, 2010, 04:43:39 AM

Title: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on March 12, 2010, 04:43:39 AM

Yesterday evening, I started on my Scared Stiff restoration project.

I'll start with some background info as I like to on games.

My love affair with Scared Stiff had a strange beginning. Years ago, I was in a friends garage and noticed a very neglected Scared Stiff in the corner. I asked about it, and he explained that he was going to part it out on eBay for its owner, who didn't have time to do it himself and offered a cut in exchange for the work.

The game was a very sad machine. It had a number of issues with it. Huge amounts of insert ghosting, weak flippers, the wrong sling plastics were installed, and it had what I like to refer to as a 'British' mylar job. In all fairness, I have seen this sort of hackjob done on French games as well, and French and British reimport games I've had are similar on many fronts. They almost all smell like ashtrays. The game also had a heavily damaged apron (apron decals were not available at the time), ramps that needed replacing, almost every single plastic broken, etc. A real POS game.

I suggested that the game could still be enjoyed, and it wasn't a partout candidate. The owner called my bluff, and said that I could have it for 2k - but he needed the crate assy for his other SS, which had a broken bracket. I bought the game, and then found out the bracket for the crate itself was $110 and was not easy to find! Also, there were a lot of other expensive parts in the crate.

I talked to a cousin of mine, and it turns out he LOVES Scared Stiff, having played it extensively in college. He doesn't own any pins, but he does come over sometimes and play mine.

I fixed the game up, played it for awhile, and worked a PFR restored SS playfield into a trade deal with a game someone was buying from me. Figured when cab art became available, I'd restore the game completely.

The PFR playfield: http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/sstiff_pf

Before the cab art became available, the same friend who was going to part mine out had a nice SS in his collection he was going to restore, and lost interest after he had disassembled his playfield to send it off for repair. We worked a trade deal, my beat game for his game stripped, with new ramps and NOS plastics, I would keep my original shooter assy, coin door and crate, as the ones on my game were freshly rebuilt with new parts. He bought a nicer SS that didn't need any restoration, sold my beater, and I got his in pieces

Seemed like an excellent deal, but looking back, now I'm not so sure. I'll ponder it again once I'm done with the restoration. I can tear a game down and come back to it years later, pick back up and finish it, but trying to put a game together that someone else tore apart is a bit more difficult for me. Also, the friend told me if I found anything to be missing, to let him know and he'd find it. He passed away in January of 2009, so I can't really ask anyone for parts anymore.

My goal is to turn this game around in 3-4 months. I think it's doable.

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on March 12, 2010, 05:38:44 AM

Wednesday, March 11, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 1 of 120	< 1% restored
First Photo Of The Day (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3703)	Last Photo Of The Day (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3756)
2 hours spent on project today	2 hours spent on project total
53 New images in album	53 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

As the CFTBL restoration winds to a close, it makes room for the next project.

The CFTBL sits staged to go to the basement gameroom, which involves stairs, so I am waiting on a friend who helps me move games to come over

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3703.sized.jpg)

Out with the old, in with the new. Just a dirty, messy filthy new game. Man I love this hobby! Time to unwrap!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3704.sized.jpg)

Cabinet needs some repair. It's structurally sound, and overall not bad. Dirty, with very minimal fading overall. To decal this cabinet would be a waste. I can always come back and decal it, or grab a cabinet from a NBA Fastbreak or something to decal. In the meantime, I will freshen it up the best I can, repaint the interior, and detail it out with new clear tubing for the harnesses and braid, sound upgrade, etc. The inside may end up looking better than the outside. On the outside, I will clean, put on new siderails to replace the damaged originals, replace the start and flipper buttons, repaint all the hardware, replace the wooden chocks on the rear of the cabinet, and repaint the rear. I'm also going to fit a new coin door - because the one on the game now is dented in the middle. It also needs a little glue in a couple areas.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3706.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3707.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3708.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3709.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3710.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3711.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3712.sized.jpg)

Who knows, I may change my mind on the cabinet and decals. But, that's a $500 part of the project I'm not prepared to tackle at the moment.

I actually installed a driver board to verify the boards are good, and the game works OK. Well, the boards work OK with no playfield attached, anyways

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3725.sized.jpg)

How about this, instead of take the time to convert the game properly, let's just cut some wires and nut them together?

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3731.sized.jpg)

Luckily, that's pretty easily fixed.

Notice how yellow the clear tubing is? Only a few dollars to replace it with new, so I shall do that!

And now, for the first surprise of the project, after unboxing all the parts!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3736.sized.jpg)

The previous owner desoldered every lamp socket and switch from the harness. I typically clean the harnesses, complete with sockets and switches. Guess there's an extra few hours of soldering on this project :)

At this point, all the parts are torn down in respective groups to be cleaned and detailed.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3756.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: tura67 on March 12, 2010, 07:47:49 AM

I am eager to see how this develops  ^^^

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: faza on March 12, 2010, 08:28:04 AM

Looks like another great resto thread on its way

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Strangeways on March 12, 2010, 09:17:35 AM

John - We must exchange photos of our respective garages ! I thought I was the only one that had a garage that was stuffed full of pins and parts !

I LOVE SS. CV and SS are awesome machines. I've reconditioned at least 6-7 in my time and I never tire of working on them. I hope to own one - one day !

The great thing about SS - They ALWAYS look awesome once reconditioned. I will watch this thread with interest !

(I can't believe it was going to be parted out)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on March 12, 2010, 04:37:24 PM

Thursday, March 11, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 2 of 120	< 2% restored
First Photo Of The Day (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3757)	Last Photo Of The Day (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3771)
3.5 hours spent on project today	5.5 hours spent on project total
15 New images in album	68 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Lots of cleaning started today.

First, all the harnesses got a good scrubbing in the bathtub with degreaser and a stiff bristled brush. These cleaned up very well. I'm surprised by the lack of cigarette residues on this game. I'm starting to wonder if Belgium just isn't as heavy a smoking country as others. I guess it could also be that I am used to restoring earlier 90s games, and a SS is a 97 game, so is newer.

Harnesses hung to dry

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3757.sized.jpg)

These came out pretty nicely

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3758.sized.jpg)

Really a treat compared to the last game. A lot of the crap on the last game just would not scrub off regardless of how many times I tried or what I used - the wiring was just stained.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3759.sized.jpg)

I took some industrial foaming cleaner on a microfiber towel and cleaned the sides of the cabinet to get an idea of how it will clean up. I am incredibly torn over whether to leave it as-is or decal it. I'm putting some feelers out for a used WPC-95 cabinet in hopes that I might turn up a solid one from a parted NBA:FB or other machine.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3761.sized.jpg)

All hardware cleaned in the ultrasonic, will dry overnight and then tumble tomorrow. Cleaning before tumbling shortens tumbling time, and extends the life of the media in the tumbler.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3762.sized.jpg)

All the metal hardware was soaked in diluted degreaser in hot water for several hours, then rinsed and dried. It will all be hand-polished with mothers mag polish and then in many cases waxed to prevent oxidation.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3771.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on March 16, 2010, 03:16:13 AM

Sunday, March 14, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 5 of 120	< 5% restored
First Photo Of The Day (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3854)	Last Photo Of The Day (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3858)
6 hours spent on project today	11.5 hours spent on project total
5 New images in album	73 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Parts being cleaned, polished, tumbled, etc

Lots of nice shiny parts coming out of the tumblers

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3854.sized.jpg)

Parts need wiped down and 'weeded', what I call the process of removing the crushed walnut bits from inside the screw heads etc.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3855?full=1)

Starting to polish bracketry. Red scotch brite 'wet sanding' with water or windex, then a hand buff with mothers mag polish. Parts in this game will be waxed as well.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3856.sized.jpg)

Once parts are wiped down, weeded etc, they are sorted.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3857.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3858.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 07:39:11 PM

The 'weeding' part is the part i loathe John. The stupid small walnut pieces stuck in the heads of the screws...  ^&^

Funny that i see that you have logged your entries at the top of each post.

I have been doing this for years and am currently keeping a log on my ST TNG restore. I thought i was the only nut to do so !  %.%

RE the cab decals, of course it will finish off the game nicely with new decals but your decals still look great.

Hard call to make.

Love your work BTW !  ^^^

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: MartyJ on March 16, 2010, 10:21:12 PM

Awesome work John.  Setting the bar even higher each restoration.

Quote from: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 07:39:11 PM

The 'weeding' part is the part i loathe John. The stupid small walnut pieces stuck in the heads of the screws...  ^&^

Funny that i see that you have logged your entries at the top of each post.

I have been doing this for years and am currently keeping a log on my ST TNG restore. I thought i was the only nut to do so !  %.%

RE the cab decals, of course it will finish off the game nicely with new decals but your decals still look great.

Hard call to make.

Love your work BTW !  ^^^

I've got help when it comes to 'weeding'.  I give the bucket and a pick to my 'helper' and she takes care of it!   #@#

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on March 16, 2010, 10:27:06 PM

Quote from: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 07:39:11 PM

The 'weeding' part is the part i loathe John. The stupid small walnut pieces stuck in the heads of the screws...  ^&^

I agree, that is pretty boring work. I try to make the most of it. There are always a few pieces, of course, that get tossed because they just won't polish up because the finish was 'compromised' somehow, either in manufacture, along the way, replaced with the wrong part, etc. It's also hard to talk myself into tumbling some parts, as they are 2-3 cents each when purchased in quantity. But, if you just replace things, you're really missing the whole idea of 'restoring' something. I'm considering replacing all the solenoids on this machine for 2 reasons  - 1) several are non-original WMS coils, and I always swap those out and 2) I have a box of new OEM solenoids, and could replace all without buying any - and when I put a 'new' one into a game with 'restored' originals, a careful eye can still tell which one is new and which is restored. Then, I'd have a decent stock of originals that are used to put into future restorations. Still undecided about that. I came into a decent sized box of NOS WMS solenoids on eBay a few years back and they've been sitting here.

Quote from: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 07:39:11 PM

Funny that i see that you have logged your entries at the top of each post.

Yeah, I get a lot of questions like 'how many hours did that take' and I've not kept track officially before, so I figured I'd try to keep track here. I also considered setting up a blog. I think I'm going to eliminate the 'Day x of xx' part. At least the 'of xx' part, because having a schedule makes it less fun for me. Truth be told, I'd like this project to take a week, but if it takes a year, it's OK. A goal like taking 4 months is fine, but having '120 days' staring me in the face each day makes me feel like I'm falling behind, and I don't think that's a good idea.

Quote from: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 07:39:11 PM

I have been doing this for years and am currently keeping a log on my ST TNG restore. I thought i was the only nut to do so !  %.%

How many hours are you in to the ST:TNG? I need to give that game another chance. After playing a few, I wrote it off and sold the ST:TNG I picked up inexpensively. But, I need to play a nice clean tweaked one, I'm sure I'm missing something good. The theme just does nothing for me.

Quote from: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 07:39:11 PM

RE the cab decals, of course it will finish off the game nicely with new decals but your decals still look great.

Hard call to make.

I think I'm gonna order the decals. $300 USD is a lot of money, but not much in terms of regret. And of course, once you spend $300 on decals, you can't forget the new side rails and other expenses to decal the cabinet. Prob need to add $500 to the project budget to redecal the cabinet. I want to continue my process of doing it once and doing it right! It just means that I may need to table the parts restoration and concentrate on the cabinet with my finances and time and come back to the playfield.

Quote from: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 07:39:11 PM

Love your work BTW !  ^^^

Thanks. I love doing it!

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Pinfan on March 16, 2010, 11:51:34 PM

Good news re the decals !  ^^^

I have logged in 57 hours so far into my STTNG and i reckon am close to half way through the restore.  ^&^

New decals and A LOT of cabinet prep work on this pin...

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: ktm450 on March 17, 2010, 03:34:52 PM

Look forward to following another of your fantastic restores John  *%*
Must be a pain in the arse sorting all those parts that someone else took off without photos or identification  :D

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on March 19, 2010, 07:33:48 AM

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 8	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3861)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_3870)
6 hours spent on project since last update	17.5 hours spent on project total
10 New images in album	83 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

The cleaning and rebuilding continues.

Flippers are rebuilt

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3862.sized.jpg)

Slings and pops are rebuilt

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3863.sized.jpg)

Ball trough, minus grommet (on order) and trough PCBs. The box with the trough PCBs was nowhere to be found. I've got some good used ones to clean up, but am making an effort to find the missing box this weekend first.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3864.sized.jpg)

Shooter assy and divertor assy, partially assembled

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3865.sized.jpg)

Under playfield boards cleaned, along with lamp boards

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3866.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3867.sized.jpg)

Targets, switches, lamp sockets also cleaned

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3868.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3869.sized.jpg)

Need to rebuild the leaf switches - EOS, pop bumper, sling and standup point switches

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_3870.sized.jpg)

Also still assembling parts lists. Keep finding a few more things needed.

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on April 12, 2010, 12:39:14 AM

I haven't given up - admittedly haven't made a lot of progress on the SS in the last few weeks. Been saving up to order the parts I need to get moving. Cab decals are here, upgraded speakers are on order, most of the pieces I need to finish the playfield out are on order etc.

I did learn one interesting things - leaf switches seem to clean up a lot easier in a tumbler with walnut media! The results are as good as hand polishing, perhaps better, and it only takes about 24 hours. SS had a lot of them, 11 to be exact - and they all cleaned up like new!

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Strangeways on April 12, 2010, 07:56:38 PM

Quote from: johnwartjr on April 12, 2010, 12:39:14 AM

I haven't given up - admittedly haven't made a lot of progress on the SS in the last few weeks. Been saving up to order the parts I need to get moving. Cab decals are here, upgraded speakers are on order, most of the pieces I need to finish the playfield out are on order etc.

I did learn one interesting things - leaf switches seem to clean up a lot easier in a tumbler with walnut media! The results are as good as hand polishing, perhaps better, and it only takes about 24 hours. SS had a lot of them, 11 to be exact - and they all cleaned up like new!

Leaf switches in a tumbler - Interesting - Might have to try it !

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: ddstoys on April 12, 2010, 08:41:45 PM

Great work John again amazing work.

  I also tried to tumble some switches with my last batch and were very happy with the result

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Steve2010 on April 13, 2010, 09:46:09 AM

John - great read so far, and a very meticulous approach!  Love the many and detailed photos, and following this with much interest.

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: d3vlin on April 13, 2010, 09:21:37 PM

 #*#

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on April 14, 2010, 05:55:48 AM

Monday, April 12, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 9	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_4951)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_4987)
25 hours spent on project since last update	42.5 hours spent on project total
37 New images in album	120 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

The 'day 9' figure is a bit misleading. It's not really 'day 9' in the sense that I've been working on the game a bit here and a bit there, but I'm running this project, so I'll call it day 9 :)

I've ordered a lot of parts in the last month. Lots of parts. I also got sidetracked on a couple other non-pin projects. Parts are rolling in, though. Cab decals are here. Speakers are due today. Game specific stuff for rebuilding the coffin are on the way.

I documented the way the ramps are populated, as the parts that are going to be moved to the new ramps need to be cleaned and detailed.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4951.sized.jpg)

Lots of pictures are snapped of each ramp and how the protectors, wiring harnesses, etc are oriented, then I take a picture of the misc hardware before I clean it up.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4967.sized.jpg)

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4978.sized.jpg)

Here are the leaf switches I tumbled. Took 24 hours to make them look like new!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4979.sized.jpg)

The spider mech in the backbox wasn't working, so I decided to pull it out and have a look.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4980.sized.jpg)

Disassembled the motor completely - this motor is also used in the who dunnit slot machine and often fills up with metal shavings, then a good cleaning will make them work again. The motor is clean. Matter of fact, looks *new*. Now, I have to trace the fault out elsewhere.

One of the first 'challenges' - there's a plastic piece of artwork over the backbox insert that is quite brittle. This one shattered just by *touching* it. I'm going to have to see if I can get it back in one piece, and looking decent. Luckily, this area is well concealed by the spider once I put it back on the pointer - but it still needs the pieces reinstalled.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4984.sized.jpg)

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4985.sized.jpg)

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4986.sized.jpg)

At least I have the pieces!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4987.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on April 15, 2010, 04:26:56 PM

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 10	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_4988)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_4996)
1.5 hours spent on project since last update	44 hours spent on project total
9 New images in album	129 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Not a lot to post tonight, but figured I'd toss up an update.

New crate lid arrives

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4988.sized.jpg)

I'd been trying to figure out how this was attached, and if it was possible to remove the old one without totally destroying it. Turns out, it's pop-riveted in place. A drill bit through the center of the rivet, and it came apart. The bottom slides over a notch, the top has a hole the rivet goes into.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4990.sized.jpg)

Easily drilled out, need to get some pop rivets to put the new one in place and install the ramp 'upgrade' kit. I may have a riveter, need to check. Not used to pop rivets being in pins!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4991.sized.jpg)

Some decals arrived tonight. New crate decals amongst other parts. Compared to my NOS crate door, the repros are POOR quality. Not real happy with these. Had a poor quality set of repros on my first Scared Stiff, and it looked OK since the entire game was a crappy pile of poo, but on a nice game, they just won't do. Real disappointed I paid $14 for them!

There's also a coffin side decal next to the other decals that is textured like original.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4992.sized.jpg)

Coffin 'stiff' decal is the same poor quality repro. Since it's only open a small part of the time, I think it'll be OK, but if I can find a textured original, I'll buy it. I also ordered a new plate for the decal to go on, the original was kinked at one corner. I was able to sort of straighten it out, but the new one is perfect.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4993.sized.jpg)

A nice 8 inch pioneer sub will give the game a little bit of 'oomph' compared to the stocker, which is actually broken.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4995.sized.jpg)

And, the best part.. I realized I had a partial set of SS crate decals in my files from a previous project. Too bad I didn't realize this before I spent the 14 bucks. Oh well, it supported a pinball vendor and I'm sure somebody can use them :)

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_4996.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Pinfan on April 15, 2010, 05:56:43 PM

Isn't it great receiving newly ordered parts John !

Its looking great so far.  ^^^

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on April 30, 2010, 01:53:24 AM

Friday, April 23, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 11	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_5376)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_5396)
2 hours spent on project since last update	46 hours spent on project total
15 New images in album	144 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Posting this update a little late...

Trying a new product. Well, new to pinball restoration. I used this stuff on my first (running) car, a 1991 Honda Civic 4 door. It had polished aluminum rims, and they dulled down very quickly. At that point in my life, chasing tail was very important, and shiny rims would logically help :) I found an old can while cleaning my garage, and was disappointed to learn that it had turned to dust. However, some careful internet searching indicated that it was still in fact made!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5378.sized.jpg)

I actually switched to this product from Mother Mag polish on my car, which is what I have been using to polish pin parts, once I scotchbrite the corrosion off of them.

It's called 'X-Treem Metal Polish', and it's $9.95 on eBay for a 3 oz can - the stuff I used on my car was about $15 per can, and was a 1.5 oz can - so I'm getting twice as much for less money. Very nice.

Opening the can, you'll see that there is a plastic bag inside, with what appears to be a pink wad of cotton candy.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5379.sized.jpg)

It's cotton wadding, which is slightly abrasive, packed with metal polish.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5380.sized.jpg)

Just peel a chunk off, and start rubbing the part, then wipe with terry towel to check your progress occasionally.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5382.sized.jpg)

I started with one of my least favorite parts to clean - the bracket the playfield 'rests' on the edge of the cabinet with. These are always in sad shape, because they have been handled so much.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5383.sized.jpg)

Interim pics:

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5384.sized.jpg)

The wadding looks like this when it's spent and it's time to replace it

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5385.sized.jpg)

Not bad.. less than 2 minutes in the part to this point

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5386.sized.jpg)

Comparing unpolished section, and polished section here

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5387.sized.jpg)

Bracket completely done

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5393.sized.jpg)

The nice thing about the wadding is how it conforms to most any angle, so it's not difficult to clean inside every nook and cranny - and soap and water takes it off your hands, no need to get out the harsh hand cleaner and rough your hands up. 2 thumbs up!

I finished off what was left of the game metal in a couple hours tops, and it all has a nice shine to it. Definite time saver. A $5 can of Mothers will typically get consumed in a game, if I can get a game done in 1 can of this stuff, I can deal with that.

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on April 30, 2010, 02:06:21 AM

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 12	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_5397)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_5414)
3 hours spent on project since last update	49 hours spent on project total
18 New images in album	162 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Now, on to today's update

Tore down a few more minimal assemblies, and finished rebuilding some others.

Test fit the Mantis crate cover.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5408.sized.jpg)

Debating on how I finish it. Original was black plastic with decals. Replacement is stainless, and I have NOS decals

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5409.sized.jpg)

Do I leave it stainless? Do I paint it black to match original? Or should I go 'custom, and finish it in grey similar to the decals, to make them blend in better? It'll be one of the final details, so having an answer today is not terribly important. Still mulling it over. What do you think?

The coffin mechanism is a bit of a marvel. Lots to it, lots of moving parts, and it's relatively huge.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5410.sized.jpg)

Mine was in poor repair. The plastic guy that goes on the lid was broken, so I had to replace him. To replace him, the lid of the coffin had to come off. To do that, I had to pull the hinge pin and spring. Then, the moving 'stiff' inside the coffin needed a new decal, and the plate the decal goes on was bent, so I got a new one of those, too. Luckily, I found Curly's site had NOS outside coffin decals, and NOS stiff decals. Didn't like his decal for the crate cover, but had a NOS set already.

This is what the cover looks like, the old one had a hole punched through it.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5411.sized.jpg)

It's held in place by a 1/8 inch pop rivet.

The upper coil pulls a plunger in, and it opens the lid. Then, contact from the balls lifts the 'stiff' up. A German company makes a stiff that glows in the dark, but 2 friends who have had them said theirs failed quickly, so I'll go with original.

2 poppers on the left rebuilt with new Mantis Amusements bracketry.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5413.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Redback on May 01, 2010, 06:56:07 AM

Great work,
Learning a lot from the postings,
Red

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Strangeways on May 01, 2010, 12:16:49 PM

Shame about those poor quality Crate "decals"  ^.^

I'd go with the Stainless crate with NOS decals - at least see gow it looks - it is easy to remove from the game if you don't like it.

Great progress.

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on June 20, 2010, 04:11:43 PM

Saturday, June 19, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 13	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_5985)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_5998)
2 hours spent on project since last update	51 hours spent on project total
14 New images in album	176 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Have really had a problem with finding time to make progress on this game.

I've been saying for over a week, I just need to take an hour or two, and dig into it and make a little progress so I can get the ball rolling again.

I've been waiting on some assistance on the cabinet, and had been putting the playfield aside, saying I'd start on the playfield after I got the cabinet done, as I didn't want to fill the playfield full of sanding dust, etc.

At this point, I'm going to get the playfield done. I can seal it up real well once it's done, if that's what it takes to get the cabinet done.

The playfield is on the bench. It's fresh as it came back from Playfield Renovations. T-nuts still installed, wiring and staples from pop bumpers in, etc.

I don't clean them up real well until I'm ready to install them. The buffing process fills all switch slots, holes, etc with compound - so why clean them twice?

After having a few playfields restored, I also learned to pull the t-nuts before restoring them. They get full of clear and screws won't thread into them, and the clear sometimes discolors on top of them.

But, I did pull the t-nuts from the playfield tonight. Will sand the playfield underside to clean it up, and reinstall new t-nuts. I buy the t-nuts for under 10 cents each, new, and I hate straightening the prongs of the t-nuts. You can salvage about 70% of the old ones, but it's just easier to stick new ones in.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5986.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5987.sized.jpg)

Backside is majorly dirty

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5989.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5990.sized.jpg)

T-nuts pulled
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5993.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5994.sized.jpg)

It's purdy :)

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5996.sized.jpg)

These are actual chunks of clear

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5997.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5998.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Maxprofits on June 20, 2010, 08:33:50 PM

John,
I really admire the effort that you go to when restoring a game. SS is a great game and really deserves the time and money you are spending.
Thanks very much for sharing your work with us here, on an Austrailian forum. Looking forward to the next update on this most excellent restoration.
Regards,
Dan. 

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: ktm450 on June 21, 2010, 10:11:48 AM

Quote from: Maxprofits on June 20, 2010, 08:33:50 PM

John,
I really admire the effort that you go to when restoring a game. SS is a great game and really deserves the time and money you are spending.
Thanks very much for sharing your work with us here, on an Austrailian forum. Looking forward to the next update on this most excellent restoration.
Regards,
Dan. 

+1 love seeing your restos John, keep up the great work mate  *%*

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on June 21, 2010, 10:55:22 PM

Sunday, June 20, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 14	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_5999)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_6003)
2 hours spent on project since last update	53 hours spent on project total
5 New images in album	181 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Spent a couple hours cleaning the playfield up, installing some t-nuts, and doing some of the 'through' parts.

Came across a couple of small snags to work through as usual. My new side stiffeners are not drilled, I have to figure out how to align them before fastening them down. Will have to drill new holes. Not a big deal, just have to figure out *where* to drill the holes, since there are none to locate from. But, I'm many steps ahead of where I was with no holes to work from at all! So, I asked the guy who made them for me if he has any insight, he made them using the ones from his game as a template.

This playfield has more clear on it than any I've ever worked on. Posts haven't wanted to fit their holes without reaming them slightly with a sharp bit.

Prior to sanding
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_5999.sized.jpg)
After sanding
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6000.sized.jpg)

Some general beginning population pics
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6001.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6002.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6003.sized.jpg)

Hopefully I can get the side stiffeners straightened out today, then I could attach the slides and get the pop bumper studs installed as well as the pop bumper parts in place, topside.

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: Strangeways on June 24, 2010, 10:36:19 AM

Nice work John - Slowly getting "back into the groove"  ^^^

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on June 25, 2010, 03:03:29 PM

Thursday, June 24, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 15	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_6004)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_6009)
2 hours spent on project since last update	55 hours spent on project total
6 New images in album	187 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Just as I got back in a groove on my project.. work dropped an atom bomb on my week! As of tonight, I've put in over 40 hours. Too bad I'm salaried! But, I've got the weekend off :)

Started out by cleaning off the backboard, and applying my TC decal

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6004.sized.jpg)

You can't see, but I sanded the backside clean, and thoroughly cleaned the front, then wiped down with alcohol so the decal would adhere better. I also stuck in 4 new t-nuts.

Decal installed, trimmed up, and deadheads located in their proper location to verify the flames are in the right spot.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6005.sized.jpg)

Lots of detail trimming for slots for ramps to sit in, slots for gates to sit in, spots for claws to sit, etc. I did cut the decal trying to remove the backing, but the spot should be well-hidden once the ramp is installed.

Backboard installed. So are the new hand-made oak playfield stiffeners, and the pop bumper studs and topside parts.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6007.sized.jpg)

This game is gonna be a blast when it's done.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6008.sized.jpg)

How I wish my rotisserie were done!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6009.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on June 30, 2010, 04:47:04 PM

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Scared Stiff Serial #50748101010

Day 16	< 10% restored
First Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_6021)	Last Photo Of The Update (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/DSC_6027)
3 hours spent on project since last update	58 hours spent on project total
7 New images in album	194 Total images in album

Direct Album Link (http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/ss_restoration/)

Populating the playfield is coming along, albeit a bit slowly.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6021.sized.jpg)
Most all posts installed, along with targets, most of the lamp sockets, and most of the switches.

Gets a little challenging, since I didn't strip this playfield, and the guy who did desoldered nearly every switch and lamp.

Installed 2 of the mantis protectors. The 3rd requires the associated mech be installed, so I can't install it until I install the mech. But, I *did* test fit it.

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6022.sized.jpg)

Never had a playfield where someone actually desoldered all the switches and lamp sockets. I thought it might make for a nice opportunity to see if you can get the parts cleaner desoldered from the harness - but you can't!

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6025.sized.jpg)

(http://gallery.myhomegameroom.com/albums/ss_restoration/DSC_6026.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: tura67 on November 28, 2010, 05:18:48 AM

Is it finished? I am eager to see the end result!

Greetings,

Tura

Title: Re: Scared Stiff Restoration
Post by: johnwartjr on November 28, 2010, 05:30:01 AM

Unfortunately no, I've not touched it in some time. Got sidetracked, and if I can't put my 100% into it, I won't do anything.

Hopefully will get back to it soon, would like to finish it!