Next in the resto queue is a favorite of mine, Gottlieb Buccaneer. This restoration is one I've moved up the queue as I really enjoy doing wedgeheads.
BackgroundI picked up this machine from a Holiday Resort in Lakes Entrance a few years ago. I saw the game pictured in their gamesroom on the web before we booked. Naturally, we had to stay at this place
. Anyway, when we got there, I saw the machine and it was neglected. I spoke to the manager and asked him if he would mind if I "fixed" the machine. He said it had not been played for years. I switched it on, adjusted the coin switch and started a game. His eyes popped out of his head ! I told him it needs rubbers, globes etc etc - and a new plunger. I told him that when I get home I'll post him all the parts he needs to get it earning again ! I "had" to leave my details in case he ever sold it.. When I got home, I sourced the parts and told him I would sent the package. He asked me how much it was worth, "not for the parts son, for the machine" !, and then he said he would contact me in a few months.. Which he did ! He called me up and said " Can you pick it up within the week ?" I bolted down there and picked it up that weekend (8 hour return trip). I brought it home and it has been in my garage ever since. I ordered the parts, and it has been sitting there for nexarly three years. Until last weekend !
ObjectiveThis machine should be a straight forward restore. Cabinet does not need repainting, but I've sent images off to Gavin to create licensed stensils for his business. The game WORKS and is just missing the spinner, which ironically, is on one of my Pro Footballs - Go figure ! This won't be a massive restore, as it is in VERY good condition with minimal corrosion.
ConditionCabinet - 8/10 - For its AGE, it is VERY tidy. No damage, just worn near the flipper buttons
Playfield - 8/10 - Easy. Very nice colours, there are some sunken inserts which I need to attend to and a dirty big wear spot near the RHS outlane. Contact was used to cover the playfield - including the wear
Electrical - 9/10 - REALLY good. Everything is intact. Looking forward to rebuilding the steppers even though they are all working fine
Backglass - 7/10 - Some flaking, but I will arrest this and look at touching it up - only one or two colors affected.
Before picturesI'm using bigger pictures for this restore - so if they are too big etc - let me know
Have a look at the plunger assy !
.. and a picture to prove she works - But hardly ANY globes work !
Playfield Disassembly and contact removalStarting with the playfield. The contact is really easy to remove. The adhesive is soft and remains on the playfield. I used a hari dryer and patience. Here are some shots before I removed it. It is almost like a mountainscape around the inlanes. This is why you need to cut rings around posts in the contact / mylar. It is raised very badly to the point of affecting ball travel.
Contact removal - moving down the playfield in sections using a hair dryer, pliers and a scalpel
Nasty touch up around the bumper - which is behind the bumper and covered by a plastic. It is not a wear spot - the ball does not travel near this section. I think when the playfield was disassembled (years ago), a chemical was dropped on the artwork. This problem is in three seperate places, and looks to be unnaturally worn.
Opps ! First of many inserts to pop out !
Contact fully removed, with an ugly residue
More inserts removed. I ended up removing all of them. Great sign was that none are worn, but they look to be poorly installed in the factory.
End of first installment !
