Flash Gordon Restoration

[Crashramp]

I thought I'd give a little update on my progress. After much procrastinating, I bit the bullet and removed all of the wire looms from the original playfield and placed them onto the new playfield.



It actually looks more of a mess then it really is. You can see all of the lights, switches and coils have been tagged and numbered. I don't really know why but I used different colour tape for the lights vs the switches (maybe I was thinking I'd get them confused, who knows?). I then wrote the corresponding number on the original playfield next to where the part was removed for easy reference later. I have to say here that so many of the ideas I used to make this process easier have been stolen from the many other very informative restorations I've read here on AP. So a big thank you to everyone who's ever bothered to post their own resto's here before me.



This is where I'm currently up to, you can see the number of tags left are slowly shrinking back into the corner. I'd say I'm about 70% done here.



Still a bit to tidy up here once I'm all done but its cleaning up very nicely.

[pinball god]

Mate looking so sweet. I think you'll hit the ranks of the pros very soon. I did the labelling technique as I didn't want to fart arse around trying to remember where they went or look at one of my crappy cryptic photos.

Look forward to the next post

[el_timbo86]

Real nice work man! Should be very proud 

[Strangeways]

Super effort Adam !

Did you make any spare light shrouds ? I think there would be a market for these as it is rare to come across a game with a complete set.

[Crashramp]

Super effort Adam !

Did you make any spare light shrouds ? I think there would be a market for these as it is rare to come across a game with a complete set.

No I wish I had though while I was going. I will end up making another set for Xenon at some stage also but I couldn't imagine selling any. They were quite time consuming to make for what they actually are and would end up being to expensive if I was to sell any. Perhaps if I made a mould instead they would be worth while. I'll have a think about it.

[howzat]

Im really enjoying you post    Keep up the good work      Howzat

[skywalker]

Top notch work there  keep it up

[Crashramp]

Well I've finally finished beneath the playfield



I've also cut some new timber rails for the playfield. A few of the existing pieces were damaged so ill just replace them all. In this pic they've just had an undercoat.



Started to repopulate the playfield,. Re-chroming the ramps has really been worthwhile. You may notice some of the now black timber rails sitting in place. They still need another coat but I sat  a couple of pieces in place for the pictures. I also have the slingshot plastics on a touch early but couldn't wait to see some of the plastics on the new playfield.







This next pic is of the top of the playfield on the split level.



Still a bit to do on the playfield with the remaining posts and plastics but it's almost there. Next will be the cabinet repairs but ill have the pros doing the cab art. I don't yet trust myself with a spray gun.

[GORGAR 1]

Wow Adam it looks awesome you've done a great job.

Peter

[riverinapinball]

That looks awesome. You have a "as new" FLASH GORDON right there .

 Excellent. I can see that you are a perfectist.

 My restores consist of just clean , fix a few thing, replace bits and get it playable. But man you go all the way.

I take my hat off to you. Well done sir.

[Crashramp]

Thanks for the kind words guys, though I'm not sure about the perfectionist bit. Probably just a bit anal and besides that I've found the whole restoration process quite therapeutic.

[Strangeways]

Thanks for the kind words guys, though I'm not sure about the perfectionist bit. Probably just a bit anal and besides that I've found the whole restoration process quite therapeutic.

I agree 100% - there's nothing like enjoying the journey. Except maybe playing a machine that is "as close as possible" to a NIB experience for a 40 year old machine.

[MartyJ]

Great job you should be very proud of the end result..

[pinnies4me]

Beautiful work mate, you should be proud of that!! 

[Pintoxicated]

Can I just add, and I mean no disrespect to Adam in anyway shape or form, but this playfield resto, and it is a resto not just a shop job, is being done by a guy who in the grand scheme of things has very limited experience when it comes pinball machines.  I sincerely take my hat off to Adam and the job he has done on the playfield and the job I know he will have done on the cabinet in the very near future.  As some would know, it is a massive and daunting task to take on something like this and Adam has honestly done a great job on all aspects of the resto.

I know only all too well that something like this takes alot of time and money, some things which many of us just don't have on tap, but it just goes to show with some patience, perseverance and bloody big balls to have a go, anything is achievable.

It looks even better in the flesh too.