Bally 1965 Aces High Restoration

[pinnies4me]

The zinc plating looks great.
Where can the plating kits be purchased ?

http://www.janekits.com.au/prices.php

Dual Kit Nickel/Zinc (4 Lt)         $ 310.00

Cleaning Kit (Parts Wash and Jane Clean)            $15.00

Courier delivery $15.00

I will be doing a full thread covering the process - It took me a while to get good results as the manual was a bit difficult to follow. I called John a few times just to clarify a few points and now it is plating very well.

Great info, looking forward to the thread. I've added a link to their web site to the Technical Links page http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=5548.msg77384#msg77384

[Strangeways]

Moving on to the playfield

Some challenges with the playfield restoration that I need to consider. As a general rule of thumb, I prefer to leave EMs rather than have the artwork restored and then sealed with a clearcoat. I see how it progresses, but my main area of concern is around the flipper, sling and bumpers. This playfield has NO mylar, so it has had 46 years worth of wear ! But inserts etc look good, and I'm very pleased with the condition of the playfield.

Here's the start of the teardown ;










Don't know if it is clear enough, but there are solid "pimples" of dirt in areas - very hard to lift of the surface. I had to use a plastic blade to remove most of it.





Here's some VERY pleasing results after HOURS of trying every product in my garage ! The BLUE and WHITE sections are completed. The YELLOW is untouched except an inch or so on the RHS as a reference point. HUGE difference ?








Another section - look at the ball channel - not too bad ?





Before ;





After (well half of it) ;





So what product did I use ?


NOVUS 3 and a toothbrush with trimmed bristles. It worked VERY well. It was hard work and I'd say the entire job took 4-5 hours. I used plenty of Novus 3 and worked into an area with the brush. Don't allow the Novus 3 to dry, wipe with a rag and do the next section etc etc. sounds very easy ? Well it was - it just took a lot of time.





Here's two pictures illustrating the difference. I've done only half of the playfiedl - which side 








I plan on doing something with at least the bumper wear. I might airbrush the black and clear, sealing it with mylar trim. Before doind so, I will polish the playfield and buff it so it is protected !

[goodolddays]

Looking much better Nino .
I reckon  eucalyptus oil would have done the trick on this one 

[Strangeways]

Looking much better Nino .
I reckon  eucalyptus oil would have done the trick on this one 

I've never used eucalyptus oil, I might give it a try next time 

[Strangeways]

After the Novus 3 "clean and scrub", I used the Magic Eraser I bought in bulk from China. It is exactly the same as the Chux ME, but in larger blocks. It worked perfectly on this playfield - even to my surprise ! I then used the Treasurecove polishing kit to clean the playfield firther and finally to give it a really nice shine. Now pictures don't do it justice, this playfield looks simply stunning. It is a shame that there are wear marks, but my skills on touch ups are non existent. That will change in time - I hope !

Straight after the polish, a few snaps ;








Under the playfield


Lots to do here, but I was enthused by the condition of the mechanisms. Coils were all good. Everything just needs to be stripped, cleaned, painted or plated, replaced and rebuilt. First, I take some reference pictures ;








I organise the parts into sections. Parts that are to be replaced with new are placed in one container (to remind me to order them), parts for cleaning / polishing and parts for replating.





I'm going to replate these parts, to further gain experience and confidence in the process.





Now thats some serious corrosion. This has to be attended to. If I leave this unseen mech with the rust and corrosion, then it will slowly creep up on all the parts I clean / polish or replate. Plus - if you are going to do a proper job, don't take corners !





Fast Forward a couple of weeks. I've spent time cleaning all parts from under and on top of the playfield. Everything has been though "some" form of cleaning, bathing in Ranex, soaking in nifti, passed through the tumbler.. But most metal parts went through the Zinc plating process. Only some parts were nickel plated. When done, I seperate parts into seperate sections for reassembly




Notice the flipper plates !


I've started to reinstall the flipper rebuild kits on to the replated flipper plates. I start from one corner of the bottom of the playfield, and clean the entire section - wires, screws etc etc. So when a photo opportunity comes up, everything in the vicinity looks clean. The only new parts are the coil stop, EOS and bushing. This is typical of the results successful plating can provide. Spend the time learning the process, and these are the results





I only plated the brackets and the metal yoke. The skirts are metal and I polished these on the buffeing wheel. The plunger and spring have gone through the tumbler





This is ugly ;








This is treated and zinc plated








Big difference. But it takes HOURS of preperation to do a plating job. Like anything, you need to be organised and preparation is the key. The time involved means that this kind of specialised work should not be done if you are impatient, on a time constraint, or you don't like your garage to look like a chemical lab for a few hours ! Is it worth it ? You be the judge !


Here's a progress picture as I move around the playfield





Slowly but surely .. .. ..

[ajlaird]

Very nice work. This one will come up a real treat!

[ddstoys]

That mech has come up sensational Nino that Plating kit has paid of from that mech alone.

[pinnies4me]

Love your work mate! Gotta try me one of those plating kits

[Strangeways]

That mech has come up sensational Nino that Plating kit has paid of from that mech alone.

The plating kit and process is involved, but well worth it "if" you want to put the time and effort into it. Results vary with experience, but factors such as temperature, metal type (and thickness) and preparation determine the outcome.

This game was chosen to experiment the process as it had corroded parts that I could not possibly source New or NOS. The plating process (learning curve included), has taken over 50 hours. That has to be factored into the total restoration time which is already well over 100 hours. As a hobbyist that enjoys doing this kind of work, it all just "fun". But if you were charging an hourly rate, you would go broke very quickly.

I agree, Daniel - The kit paid for itself just because it added another "string to my bow", and the satisfaction it gave to me after I had the process nutted down.

I would consider offering it as a service to fellow hobbyists, as I would not expect this kit would be justified to do one or two games.

[ktm450]

Fantastic results Nino, love the polished pop skirts they look great 

[deadlydave]

Looks great Nino 

[faza]

Looking great Nino being able to plate your own parts must be very satisfying, it would only take a few machines to pay for itself.

[vidme]

great work there and a lot of it.. i will get myself an em one day.. but not just yet..

[oldpins]

Great thread...Fantastic resullts... Love EM restores 

[Strangeways]

Thanks for the kind words, folks. On the home stretch now. I hope the parts arrive from PBR soon. I intend to use the airbrush to repair the bumper area. Gavin is preparing me some paint masks to make the job easier. I decided that since the bumper area will be covered by mylar, it will be touched up. The wear areas near the flippers and slings will be left "as is". I think some sling mylar should be used.