Getaway: The restoration (of sorts)

[MartyJ]

Cab's moved inside.  Headbox ready for colour sand then another coat.

H/duty leg brackets going in..

[ajlaird]

You must give them a real caning if you need heavy duty leg brackets!

[MartyJ]

You must give them a real caning if you need heavy duty leg brackets!

Not really, but the cabinet was in need of some strengthening to try and prevent future separation.  Just more to keep everything square and together, but also for the sake of $12.00 a leg, may as well get it done right.  The old ones had had threaded bolts put into them so I wouldn't trust the 2.5mm of thread left in there either...

[ddstoys]

There pretty hardcore brackets but ive had a few cabs that could have really done with those installed

[Duckman]

Nice finish mate, looks like it's really comming along.

[MartyJ]

Nice finish mate, looks like it's really comming along.

Thanks Tim,

The hard part comes next...

Playfield is now 100% assembled.  All cabinet parts cleaned and polished waiting to go back in.  Hopefully some more updates in a few days..

Lockdown assembly redone again (by wifey) and shopout decals installed.  Probably not necessary but finishes it off quite nicely.

[MartyJ]

Progress is going slowly.

Headbox decals done and came up OK.

Coin box decal done, came up OK too.

1 side done but this might go pear shaped.  Unfortunately there was slight separation / crease in the middle (top to bottom) of the backing paper.  From reading on RGP this is common.  I'm out of ideas as the crease is still there.  I've laid some playfield glass over it, with weights to try to keep it flat.  Not sure if this will work.   

Side was done with the semi-wet method (% of windex, % of isocol & % of water - although I used distilled water to be extra safe)....  This was the worse out of the two.  Cannot touch it now, will go back in couple of days to see.  On RGP others have suggested if it doesnt stick, gentle heat may help....

[ddstoys]

Looking good so far shame about the crease hopefully your idea with the glass fixes the sucker

[MartyJ]

Looking good so far shame about the crease hopefully your idea with the glass fixes the sucker

Thanks!

I have a horrible suspicion it wont.  I've read a few people have had then and its disappeared over time 

There was another section which had also separated but was sitting a lot flatter.  Its gone down a treat.  I had no option but the wet method for these...

It would be a shame after all this work if I cant get the crease out.  I don't know if I could go through it all again.  Would be waiting for $ to go up first then maybe rip into them again.  Always easier the second time!

[ddstoys]

Im not sure what they are made of but could you warm them up with a hair fryer and maybe shrink the crease?

[MartyJ]

That will be the plan.  I swapped the glass too.  I found another article on RGP about the same problem.  It was recommended to put a yardstick over the crease and weigh it down...

I sort of thought as the glass was so big, with the weight would not be isolated to the area.  So I've put a length of timber over it (just slightly wider) with weight.

Will check on it in the morning.   

[Strangeways]

Hopefully it won't be an issue, Marty - and all will be well in the morning. Keep us updated.

The head decals look awesome.

[MartyJ]

Hopefully it won't be an issue, Marty - and all will be well in the morning. Keep us updated.

The head decals look awesome.

Thanks Nino,

It was a bit of a known putting them on.  I had a peek this morning and it is looking better.  Couple of bubbles there, but they may disappear.

I've been in touch with Christopher Hutchins who has been extremely helpful and has also given some great advice.  There are quite a few decals out there with similar issues, that generally turn out fine with a bit of work.

Either way, they are not getting touched until Wednesday.

[Strangeways]

Ahh.. You contacted the "master", Marty. did you tell him his apprentices are on this site ?

 

[MartyJ]

Ahh.. You contacted the "master", Marty. did you tell him his apprentices are on this site ?

 

I didn't want to put the hard sell on him, but once I'm finished I will send him a link.

I actually contacted him about a week ago, just asking for some advice...I wasn't expecting a reply but he did and was extremely helpful.  I can only say he is an absolute asset to this hobby.