Pinball Pimp's stencil secrets

[Pavlov Pinball]

Hi all,

Ever wondered what the deal is with pinball stencils? Me neither, to be honest, but it turns out they are Quite Interesting.

I've been talking with the Pinball Pimp about them:

http://pavlovpinball.com/pinball-pimp-stencil-secrets/

Cheers,

Paul

[Strangeways]

Interesting read.

I contacted him several times to request Evel Knievel Stencils and he didn't respond to emails. Then one day, they are on his site.

I recall 5 years ago having the conversation with Gavin regarding stencils and having the ability for a hobbyist to use them. After much trial and error, Gavin came up with the perfect solution in materials. While testing these on Eight Ball, one of us suggested registration crosses to be used for each layer of stencil. Thereafter, it became REALLY straight forward. The registration marks was a brilliant idea.

I recently received a set of EK stencils from Pinball Pimp with the same backing and transfer materials with registration points.

I knew it was a great idea at the time, and I'm glad others have caught on. I look forward to using these stencils. Gav set the benchmark high, so I'm keen to evaluate.

[Steve2010]

I have recently used a set of Pimp stencils for a Nitro Ground Shaker.  Using these stencils was so straightforward and easy to use, they were simply a pleasure.  I think one of the key things Jeff does is he uses actual scans of the original cabinet artwork, and does not rely on images taken from a distance or angles.  This is the reason (I believe) his stencils are true and authentic to the original artwork.  And add to that all the titles he now has on his website (especially if you are a Bally SS fan), it seems hard to go past using these stencils.

Below are some images of the NGS using the Pimp stencils.






The following is a great image which really demonstrates the accuracy of Pinball Pimp stencils. This image was taken just before the final colour of black was to be applied, with the black stencil now adhered to the side of the cabinet. Base colour for NGS is white, followed by red, followed by black. Just looking at the perimeters of the black stencil, you can see just how well the artwork is designed to allow sufficient overlap between the previously applied red colour compared to the black stencil. Now this guy knows how to design proper stencils!

[Crashramp]

Jezz you have good taste in games and that's some really nice work on the NGS I'd love to see more.

[swinks]

that looks awesome Steve 

[Brettski]

That Cabinet looks amazing Steve, how do you get your metal to come up like that? what sort of graining process? I really like how you finish a machine off!

Cheers: Brettski... :)

[pinsanity]

The word written on the car sums it up perfectly.   

[Strangeways]

I have recently used a set of Pimp stencils for a Nitro Ground Shaker.  Using these stencils was so straightforward and easy to use, they were simply a pleasure.  I think one of the key things Jeff does is he uses actual scans of the original cabinet artwork, and does not rely on images taken from a distance or angles.  This is the reason (I believe) his stencils are true and authentic to the original artwork.  And add to that all the titles he now has on his website (especially if you are a Bally SS fan), it seems hard to go past using these stencils.

Below are some images of the NGS using the Pimp stencils.






The following is a great image which really demonstrates the accuracy of Pinball Pimp stencils. This image was taken just before the final colour of black was to be applied, with the black stencil now adhered to the side of the cabinet. Base colour for NGS is white, followed by red, followed by black. Just looking at the perimeters of the black stencil, you can see just how well the artwork is designed to allow sufficient overlap between the previously applied red colour compared to the black stencil. Now this guy knows how to design proper stencils!

That looks great. Having a set of EK stencils from PP, I look forward to using them. I like the way he has used the correct stencil material and backing film and the registration crosses. Exactly as Gavin has done them in the past. The classicarcades and Twisted Pins are complete rubbish compared to Gav's (and now PP). In fact, I threw out the Classicarcades and Twisted Pins stencils after using Gav's, which are the best on the market.

The authenticity of the stencils is almost there. The EK stencils I have don't line up correctly. I'll have to fix that myself - not a major issue, as each game is different. No two machines are ever painted or stenciled correctly from factory as absolutely perfect. Customers always ask for overspray / underspray and the mistakes that were true to the original. It is great to see PP has learned from other's mistakes, and uses tried and trusted materials and processes.

 

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Nino, have you considered for your A list titles (like KISS) getting proper brass stencils made so they have proper ovrrspray ?

[Strangeways]

Nino, have you considered for your A list titles (like KISS) getting proper brass stencils made so they have proper ovrrspray ?

I think Timbo had brass or metal ones made a while ago. I would be using these for the six repaints on the queue at the moment. By far the best way of painting a cabinet.

While Gav and I were mucking around with different "tack" stencils, he found the perfect solution where I could spread talcum powder under the stencil which allowed paint to escape under the stencil. The effect was absolutely perfect. Other stencil providers make the common mistake of making perfect lines and circles etc etc - which is not what was done in the factory. The brass stencils were literally placed on the cabinet and sprayed in seconds. Registration issues, overspray and underspray were common. To have a perfect cabinet with perfect lines and geometrically accurate circles is not what I would call a faithful restoration. To me it is like clearcoating a cabinet, or using the incorrect colour.

These machines were painted to attract players, not art critics with protractors and micrometers.

[Boots]

Nino, have you considered for your A list titles (like KISS) getting proper brass stencils made so they have proper ovrrspray ?

Quite easy these days with laser cutting machines.
My choice would be galvanised steel, a lot cheaper and as an added bonus you could use magnets to hold it flat to the cab

[dealers choice]

Not being a smart ass Boots, but magnets won't magnetize to a timber cabinet   

[Boots]

Not being a smart ass Boots, but magnets won't magnetize to a timber cabinet   

I think you misunderstood me, you put the magnets on the inside of the cabinet to pull the stencil to the outside surface

[Steve2010]

Thanks for the kind words guys, much appreciated.

That Cabinet looks amazing Steve, how do you get your metal to come up like that? what sort of graining process? I really like how you finish a machine off!

Cheers: Brettski... :)

I take the door skin off the door assembly if needed to flatten any dents (and hopefully don't add any more dents in the process ).  I then use a scotch brite and use this in a vertical motion up and down the front face of the skin to put a "grain" back into the skin.

The authenticity of the stencils is almost there. The EK stencils I have don't line up correctly. I'll have to fix that myself - not a major issue, as each game is different. No two machines are ever painted or stenciled correctly from factory as absolutely perfect. Customers always ask for overspray / underspray and the mistakes that were true to the original. It is great to see PP has learned from other's mistakes, and uses tried and trusted materials and processes.

Nino, maybe you have already, but if you haven't why not contact Jeff about this.  For example on the NGS stencil I noticed from the images on his website (when he first put the NGS on his site) that the pattern was not quite right with the backbox stencil (he was missing some of the artwork), and he immediately corrected this.  I have also read some examples that for some of the users where the stencil did not go as well as planned, that he resent a single stencil in the post to them at no cost.  He really does seem like a top shelf guy.  If you believe there is an error with the EK stencil, I would bring it to his attention as he seems like the kind of guy willing to listen to feedback.

Jezz you have good taste in games and that's some really nice work on the NGS I'd love to see more.

Thanks, I really love this era of pins from Bally, and was fortunate to be a kid/young teenager growing up during the late 1970's and enjoying these back in the day.  OK, here's a few more images.

[Strangeways]

Thanks for the kind words guys, much appreciated.

That Cabinet looks amazing Steve, how do you get your metal to come up like that? what sort of graining process? I really like how you finish a machine off!

Cheers: Brettski... :)

I take the door skin off the door assembly if needed to flatten any dents (and hopefully don't add any more dents in the process ).  I then use a scotch brite and use this in a vertical motion up and down the front face of the skin to put a "grain" back into the skin.

The authenticity of the stencils is almost there. The EK stencils I have don't line up correctly. I'll have to fix that myself - not a major issue, as each game is different. No two machines are ever painted or stenciled correctly from factory as absolutely perfect. Customers always ask for overspray / underspray and the mistakes that were true to the original. It is great to see PP has learned from other's mistakes, and uses tried and trusted materials and processes.

Nino, maybe you have already, but if you haven't why not contact Jeff about this.  For example on the NGS stencil I noticed from the images on his website (when he first put the NGS on his site) that the pattern was not quite right with the backbox stencil (he was missing some of the artwork), and he immediately corrected this.  I have also read some examples that for some of the users where the stencil did not go as well as planned, that he resent a single stencil in the post to them at no cost.  He really does seem like a top shelf guy.  If you believe there is an error with the EK stencil, I would bring it to his attention as he seems like the kind of guy willing to listen to feedback.

Jezz you have good taste in games and that's some really nice work on the NGS I'd love to see more.

Thanks, I really love this era of pins from Bally, and was fortunate to be a kid/young teenager growing up during the late 1970's and enjoying these back in the day.  OK, here's a few more images.

After sending several emails, which none were replied, I figured the interest is not there. Same as the Embryon stencils from Twisted Pins - MASSIVE errors !

I remember having issues with Gav's Eight Ball stencils, as I had stuffed up applying the orange stencil and I stretched it too far. Gav was on the phone that day, and within 3 working days a new stencil was on my doorstep. Free of charge. Can't beat that customer service.