Gottlieb Joker Poker (SS) High End Restoration

[Strangeways]

This is another restoration that started around 2014.


Objective

This machine was waiting on a number of components to align. First the Backglass (CPR) and then the Playfield (CPR). The cabinet was reasonable, but that's irrelevant - This was always going to be a High End (NIB) Restoration. Stencils for the game became available, so we started immediately.

Condition ReportStarting base was reasonable ;

Cabinet - 7/10 - Had some funky wiring and button for Free Play. Paint was faded, but not too bad for a 40 year old game.
Playfield - 6/10 - Typical wear for a game considered to be one of the best Gottliebs ever produced !
Backglass - 4/10 - Faded.Electronics - 3/10 - Boards are old, worn, tired and will be replaced with a Pascal board.

Before Photos

The day I stripped the machine, preparing the cabinet for a repaint as the weather had been VERY kind.



























Before I strip the cabinet, I remove the front door assembly, as that's where the original colour and finish can be located. The finish is always important as the correct match. At this point, I take the entire lower cabinet to my paint supplier, who will skillfully match the color and finish on the spot.









Fast Forward - The base is done and I immediately move to the Red stencil ;







.. and then the black ;






Then over 3 consecutive days of perfect weather...
















This cabinet is done and was the LAST of the 6 cabinets I completed. Next Update - Playfield !
 

[pinnies4me]

Nice one mate, looks awesome! Just started my JP cab last week coincidentally, so will post mine shortly too, hope it comes up as nice!

[frosty44]

Looks like this one might be heading west

[Ballywannabe]

Looks like this one might be heading west

Good things come to those who wait ;-)

Lookin' sweet!

[Top Card]

Looking great Nino, as usual. When you get the paint supplier to match the cabinet color and finish, how much paint do you buy and what type is it ?

[Strangeways]

Looking great Nino, as usual. When you get the paint supplier to match the cabinet color and finish, how much paint do you buy and what type is it ?

Thanks for the kind words.

I use Automotive Acrylics in a "Protech" can as supplied by "Paintmobile" in Preston Victoria. Usually, 2 litres is enough for the base - 4 coats. There's always leftovers. 500ML for each of the colours, but in this case, the red is an EXACT match for Sky Jump - so I bought 1 Litre and it has painted the JP and 2 X Sky Jumps.

The "brand" - "Protech" - I don't know if it is common or not. My late Father has been buying paint from "Paint Mobile" since they first started in Preston. Decades ago ! So I KNOW this paint is always excellent in finish and I KNOW how to use it to achieve results. I use methods handed down, and this system works well for me. No trade secrets - so happy to answer questions. I have sent a few restorers down there to mix paint and they have had success with their repaints.

[Replicas]

Stunning work.
One of Gott best titles, I haven't got one but lucky that a good friend has one . Great fun game to play and yours is going to look even more desirable once it's finished.

[Top Card]

Hey Nino,
Do you still "spatter" the white base coat before stenciling.

[Strangeways]

Long time between drinks but my attention has been back on some High End games which I've made steady progress on. In this case, the Joker Poker has been resumed and it is time to turn my attention to the baseboard transformer panel. It is a standard affair with original parts and unbelievably, correct fuses installed !







That crusty old EMI filter will be gone soon !





A mixture of original 1N914 Switching diodes and what appears to be a 1N4148 (modern equivalent).






All of which will be replaced. First the baseboard is sanded, and the diodes are replaced with 1N4148 ;








Mains fuse holder is replaced with an original NOS fuse holder. The old one looked ok, but looking closely - there's corrosion.




Moving on to the connectors. Nice and furry !






Replaced all pins in all connectors ;




Transformers are cleaned and polished. I don't need to paint them as they are fine. But I do dismantle them and polishe the mounting brackets and screws.




Correct fuses and laminated original fuse card stapled ;




The Bridge rectifier plate is re plated as well as the utility outlet - which is disabled, but re installed for aesthetic purposes.





The completed base board - ready for testing and installation. New EMI filter installed and I will install a new power cord.

[riverinapinball]

Great work!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pinnies4me]

Talk about high end! Amazing degree of effort there even in areas rarely seen.

[Strangeways]

The Door and Tilt assembly is the next part of the restoration. As with almost all doors of this era, it is well worn, dirty and needs to have some rusted parts replated ;





You can see the white powder = Surface corrosion on most of the metal parts.







Tilt assembly ;




I will start a new thread on my in house plating setup, but for this thread I'll show the finished plating. This is done on my bench with a plating setup I've been using for around 10 years now.





Even the internal bracket of the coin entrance plate is plated !






Re assembly - Everything except the internal door skin is replated. The internal door skin is cleaned and polished by hand.





Internal is completed ;




The door skin itself is NOT polished - but regrained as per original finish. I do this with a Green Scotchbrite and Windex.





Assembled door ;




The Door is mounted into position ;




 

[Mr Pinbologist]

Looks great Nino, I'm keen to learn more about your plating set up 

[pinnies4me]

Wow!!!

[Pinballer]

Looks great Nino, I'm keen to learn more about your plating set up 

Me too!