Complete

This was a time and material project. The owner acquired the game and all the artwork. He needed somebody to do the wrench time. This final Tally will be a little odd for that reason.
ItemCostComment
Labor Rate150Estimate of time
T8 18” 15 watt bulb20needed 2 and an FS2 Starter
Board Repair2David diagnosed an audio problem and replaced a cap
T-Molding25Had to go for sanding and painting
Locks15Needed 3
bolts5replacements for missing or damaged bolts in obvious places
Paint40Primer and gloss black

No total because this was not a sale, just labor and materials. I am not sure I want to do restoration projects like this again. They are fun but I dread incurring costs for failure like we did on this project. I also don’t feel I have room to make decisions based on sale price.

I know this is David’s last one. He wants to keep them all.

Second Art


The owner bought a second set of art after the first one failed to adhere and was destroyed by the 3M 80 Spray Adhesive. All art is not created equal. At least both these suppliers had:
  • Good thick vinyl substrate
  • Good printing technique (Offset or Screen, not inkjet)
  • Accurate size
  • Good Shipping
I have encountered (Q*bert) art that is inkjet printed with obvious banding in the art, that was smaller than the original art and printed on thin vinyl that stretched during application.

Both these sets are good reproductions. One had blacker blacks and better blues. the other had beautiful adhesion, sticky enough to stay once applied, but it was repositionable long enough to apply it.

CPO


David did an excellent job with the overlay. The Phoenix Arcade reproduction is a thing of beauty. It is beautiful color on thick vinyl. There is not much room for repositioning, this adhesive is strong and quick. It has to take the hands in motion, so this is appropriate and necessary, but it can lead to disaster in the hand of a lesser talent.

The spinner knob decal is printed in the gap for the spinner control. I wish this were given its own die cut because I had to trim it to fit the knob. I used the Xacto knife and the old sticker as a template, but the circular art is not centered so some alignment is needed prior to cutting. This is a beautiful reproduction, just a little room for improvement.

Second Side

We tried to apply the second side. I was hopeful when it went on smooth and stayed on standing up! We went to work on Battlezone and an hour later the curl began!

We tried the 3M 80 Spray Adhesive again with a much lighter application. Too light, it did not hold it down! 15 minutes later the shrivel started. I am just disgusted with this art, adhesion and recommend solution failure.

Next day the shrivel was less noticeable. Still, it is noticeable. The owner will be getting another set of side art. The budget is shot. The timeline was blown long ago.

I wish I was writing a “How to Successfully Apply 3M 80 to Your Side Art” article. I am not able to do write one. My advice: if it don’t stick, trash it.

Spray Adhesive


Do not use too much spray adhesive or your art will shrivel. The Tron sides were just not sticking. If the machine was standing up, the art would curl and peel off the sides. Time for additional adhesive!

We bought the 3M Spray Adhesive 80 as recommended. I practiced a smooth spray motion. Sprayed the back and smoothed into place. A few moments later we had great looking art. A few moments after that we had destroyed $90 of Tron Side art.