A full hour...i watched this for a full hour and never been more fascinated by the sheer love and care that you have for your games and arcade...kudos to you sir
I'm a bit behind on videos, but glad to finally see how to work on coin doors. I've had a Ms. Pac-Man with the coin door out of the cabinet and in the garage for over 2 years, hopefully I'll get to work on that soon.
Great vid! here is a tip for the next time you use a stripper, use saw dust to clean it off. Throw it on there and rub it in good, it will soak all the stripper up. I've used it for years on furniture.
Hey John If you want to save time from sanding and hard to reach areas. I recommend using aircraft remover. You can get it at AutoZone/automotive stores. Spray it on and it ripples up the paint and anything on the surface. Works great! Works in minutes than use brake cleaners to clean it off.
That's awesome that machine came from Showbiz. It would be even better if it had some sort of tag on the outside where it was visible. When I think of the early 80s arcade scene, I think of Showbiz, because that's the only classic era arcade I ever experienced. I think I was barely able to reach the controls, and I was definitely looking up at the monitors, but I still hold a fuzzy distant memory of that point in time. I remember a crowd of older kids hanging around the Donkey Kong. It looked huge, maybe it was a dual screen, but maybe everything looked big to me at the time. Eventually one of them noticed me and helped me get up there to play a turn on the machine. He hung on my right shoulder and tried to help me out, but my last guy died just after climbing the first ladder LOL. They had a Dragon's Lair, not that I knew what it was at the time. I didn't understand how people were "playing" what looked like a movie. I spent most of my time in the back room with some ancient machines that nobody else played. I pretty much had that area to myself. Some submarine torpedo game, and a bunch of target shooting games that used a physical BB gun (contained inside the machine). So anyway.. Showbiz is awesome.
Great video, nice to see everything coming along. One thing I would recommend for better spray paint results. Always start from outside edge of a part so you are painting air and move towards the object and end on the opposite side away from the part, repeat this side to side. You are not trying to paint it all in one shot, but several coats and you will find a better looking spray paint job.
It's 2019 when writing this. Wanted to mention on the Citristrip. First, it is awesome. Second, make sure you have some sort of plastic on the table you're working on so the stuff doesn't gunk up your workspace. Third, as he did with the paintbrush, use a paintbrush to brush the strip on, but you don't have use quite as much as he does in the video. Even a once over layer of strip will take the paint off. Fourth, if you get any arcades with vynil siding and you need to get it off, use strip, once over, let it sit 24 hours, and it peels right off. The wood underneath will be fine. ;) Best of luck.
Oh my God, bro, I’m drooling all over my iPad. I’ve watched a couple of your videos but this is the first time I’ve seen your arcade room. I’m a child of the 80’s so I spent a looooooot of time in arcades. I’d kill to have an arcade at home but you’ve gotta be able to work on your own games. Guess I have to start watching more videos.
I just wanted to let you know I LOVE THESE VIDEOS! I recently bought a run down arcade cabinet that I wanted to make into a Dreamcast arcade. Watching your Gyrus restore videos has helped me BIG TIME. Especially this episode. I'm just about to start painting my cab and I had no clue which paint to use. Thank you for doing these videos!
Although in Siberia there is no such machine, I was very pleased to see this video. As far as I know I am the only owner of a pinball machine (Theatre of Magic) within a radius of 3,000 kilometers. Therefore the theme of restoration very close to me. I hope that Putin not block UA-cam, and I will be able to watch your videos and on.
holy shit i just watch the whole thing and while im not working on arcade cabs right now, i can certainly respect the DIY aspect of this and learned a lot that i can use in other projects! paint scares me lol especially spray paint because i feel like im doing it wrong
Wicked video, I learned so much about restoration in one go, i've concentrated on electronics mostly, make the game playable first. DO NOT get rid of OutRun, you'll regret it but if you must, talk to me as mine's a bit shabby and yours is sparkling.
The Citrus Strip did a good job, but you might want to consider buying an Abrasive Blaster if you do it often. An Abrasive Blaster gets in the hard to reach spots and you can do the job in about an hour opposed to waiting for the Citrus strip to sit overnight. Harbor Freight has a 20LB Pressurized Abrasive Blaster for $50.
I have high standards too. The game looks great in person. This is an average person restore. I'm using common tools and readily available paints, etc. I'm not doing auto body type work. :)
Very helpful - I have a Contra cabinet that I will someday restore - It's empty right now but it does have the old coin door, needs new t-molding ect... And what a great game gyruss!
Also 1/8th" black laminate mdf worked really well for me for the back cover, it looks clean and only costs $5 for the sheet that I needed. I just screwed it on.
Sounds like a good idea but screwing it on doesn't sound good. :) There are many ways to go about all of this. The black paint looks great on my cab and I am happy with it.
Most of the stuff you need to complete your progect is available from suzo happ group. Their website has tons of useful arcade stuff. I would use particle board for your back door since plywood requires more sanding and prepping before painting.
Firstly, awesome videos. Was already wanting into the hobby, now im inspired and confident. Two questions: 1) I have two macines w no coin door keys. Solution? 2) I have a battlezone w/ nearly immaculate side art but the paint around the art needs redone. Tape off art and sand then paint?? Thanks, John
Great video.. You give me hope for mine! You do great work, and aren't afraid to show what didn't work, and how you fixed it.. Got any good hints for dealing with the lower part of a cabinet where the sides are starting to de-laminate? Most of the cab is still good, but the lower 6" or so looks like it probably got wet at some point..
John, I love Love Love your vids. Thank you for sharing. I am about to try my first arcade restore on a beat up Ninga Gaiden I just got for free. You are helping me so much. thanks Again!
kt47150 Awesome! I'd be curious to know what cabinet it was originally. I am not sure Ninja Gaiden was a dedicated game. I could be wrong, but I don't think it was.
Right. A sticker on the cabinet says Sega Gremlin Zaxxon. and the monitor has some burn in that I can make out "ENEMY PLANE" Someone rotated the monitor from Vertical to Horizontal for the conversion to NG.
I'm curious why you didn't just replace the front black mdf panel that the coin door attaches to instead of painting it. I'm doing a mame cabinet right now and I just bought a sheet of black laminate 3/4" mdf. Removed the bolts and the panel just comes off. Cut the new one to size and reinstalled. It looks really good. I know I wouldn't have painted it very well and this was actually faster and less work.
Hey John, I just watched your restoration videos of Gyruss. Great job! Thanks for taking us through the whole restore. Sanding and Simple Green worked well to remove the paint but did you ever think about taking your metal pieces to a engine rebuilding shop? They have chemical baths that will strip paint and rust off engine blocks. I don't know what the cost would be, just an idea.
I do enjoy your videos, it was painful however watching you apply that t-molding. There is no way it didn't come out all lumpy. Get yourself a soft rubber mallet (white), so you dont have to worry about denting the molding. Next time just use bondo on the coin door, seeing you fill it with JB Weld was also painful. Awesome collection.... I do enjoy your tech videos, but this is the first one I have seen you doing bodywork and painting.
1) Buy coin door locks! :) I use Illinois double bitted 7/8" locks. Google it. 2) I have done this before. My Domino man had good side art but the black around it was bad. I taped the side art and painted around it. It worked great. YMMV.
think would have use cardboard of something to hold washer or whatever used in so you don't have that on the back. would have used different t molding that stayed in and maybe little clue to hold on at ends. staples are just not right. was a few other things but can't remember now.
Nice video, quick question, I wanna make my own MAME arcade cabinet, would I need T-Moulding or is it one of the lesser evils that you don't need to have since it's just staying in my room?
Thanks for helpful videos. I just started my Street Fighter II CE restore project. Your videos have helped a lot. What do you recommend I use to protect the corners of the cabinet? The corners and bottom of the cabinet are taking a beating. thanks in advance.
haha awesome! I just cringe seeing people do stuff like this when "restoring"...I guess I'm a bit of a snob in that regards. =P Especially the "it's good enough" comments. I was like...No! No! Do it right! at the monitor...but in the end, if it's something you're not selling, and it's for you...who cares in the end. As long as your happy with it!
John's Arcade Game Reviews & Tech haha! and he's a comedian! i must say your collection is very impressive. awesome arcade you have man. im subbed now and looking forward to checking out your videos! love the repairs and restores
Hey John. Great video man. I've been a long time watcher and thanks to your videos I've been able to jump into repairing a few of my old arcade machines. I had a question about replacing the t molding though, I have an original pacman my father owned when he ran an arcade that has been past down to me, it's all original and still working great but the molding has cracked in a few places and was thinking if replacing it. If I do will that affect the collectiablity with purist and if not can you recommend a good place to find a tmolding that will be as close to original as possible.
You are simply THE ONE TO PRESERVE THE ARCADE CAB FOR HUMANITY!
A full hour...i watched this for a full hour and never been more fascinated by the sheer love and care that you have for your games and arcade...kudos to you sir
I'm a bit behind on videos, but glad to finally see how to work on coin doors. I've had a Ms. Pac-Man with the coin door out of the cabinet and in the garage for over 2 years, hopefully I'll get to work on that soon.
bout time youtube had an arcade channel like this, keep it up!
Great vid! here is a tip for the next time you use a stripper, use saw dust to clean it off. Throw it on there and rub it in good, it will soak all the stripper up. I've used it for years on furniture.
I like how you show everything. Super helpful! Thanks!
Thanks for you time and effort. Favorite arcades, Bosconian, Phoenix, Galaga, Time Pilot. Pinball - Odds & Evens
Hey John If you want to save time from sanding and hard to reach areas. I recommend using aircraft remover. You can get it at AutoZone/automotive stores. Spray it on and it ripples up the paint and anything on the surface. Works great! Works in minutes than use brake cleaners to clean it off.
This was a fun rewatch.
BTW - the coin door looks GREAT!
That's awesome that machine came from Showbiz. It would be even better if it had some sort of tag on the outside where it was visible.
When I think of the early 80s arcade scene, I think of Showbiz, because that's the only classic era arcade I ever experienced. I think I was barely able to reach the controls, and I was definitely looking up at the monitors, but I still hold a fuzzy distant memory of that point in time.
I remember a crowd of older kids hanging around the Donkey Kong. It looked huge, maybe it was a dual screen, but maybe everything looked big to me at the time.
Eventually one of them noticed me and helped me get up there to play a turn on the machine. He hung on my right shoulder and tried to help me out, but my last guy died just after climbing the first ladder LOL.
They had a Dragon's Lair, not that I knew what it was at the time. I didn't understand how people were "playing" what looked like a movie.
I spent most of my time in the back room with some ancient machines that nobody else played. I pretty much had that area to myself. Some submarine torpedo game, and a bunch of target shooting games that used a physical BB gun (contained inside the machine).
So anyway.. Showbiz is awesome.
Great video, nice to see everything coming along. One thing I would recommend for better spray paint results. Always start from outside edge of a part so you are painting air and move towards the object and end on the opposite side away from the part, repeat this side to side. You are not trying to paint it all in one shot, but several coats and you will find a better looking spray paint job.
It's 2019 when writing this. Wanted to mention on the Citristrip. First, it is awesome. Second, make sure you have some sort of plastic on the table you're working on so the stuff doesn't gunk up your workspace. Third, as he did with the paintbrush, use a paintbrush to brush the strip on, but you don't have use quite as much as he does in the video. Even a once over layer of strip will take the paint off. Fourth, if you get any arcades with vynil siding and you need to get it off, use strip, once over, let it sit 24 hours, and it peels right off. The wood underneath will be fine. ;) Best of luck.
Oh my God, bro, I’m drooling all over my iPad. I’ve watched a couple of your videos but this is the first time I’ve seen your arcade room. I’m a child of the 80’s so I spent a looooooot of time in arcades. I’d kill to have an arcade at home but you’ve gotta be able to work on your own games. Guess I have to start watching more videos.
Awesome. Thanks
I just wanted to let you know I LOVE THESE VIDEOS! I recently bought a run down arcade cabinet that I wanted to make into a Dreamcast arcade. Watching your Gyrus restore videos has helped me BIG TIME. Especially this episode. I'm just about to start painting my cab and I had no clue which paint to use. Thank you for doing these videos!
Although in Siberia there is no such machine, I was very pleased to see this video. As far as I know I am the only owner of a pinball machine (Theatre of Magic) within a radius of 3,000 kilometers. Therefore the theme of restoration very close to me. I hope that Putin not block UA-cam, and I will be able to watch your videos and on.
oh god...I hadn't even gotten to the painting of the coin door itself. Dear god man! You're killing me! Kids, don't do what John does please. =P
That arcade room of you looks very VERY cool!
FYI, the back side of the tubes you were using have dimples to puncture the tops. Saves a little bit of time. But a screw works fine too :)
Wow! Incredible job!!
Very impressive!
holy shit i just watch the whole thing and while im not working on arcade cabs right now, i can certainly respect the DIY aspect of this and learned a lot that i can use in other projects! paint scares me lol especially spray paint because i feel like im doing it wrong
Wicked video, I learned so much about restoration in one go, i've concentrated on electronics mostly, make the game playable first. DO NOT get rid of OutRun, you'll regret it but if you must, talk to me as mine's a bit shabby and yours is sparkling.
Wish you were my neighbor John, you;d be a ton of fun to work with
The Citrus Strip did a good job, but you might want to consider buying an Abrasive Blaster if you do it often. An Abrasive Blaster gets in the hard to reach spots and you can do the job in about an hour opposed to waiting for the Citrus strip to sit overnight. Harbor Freight has a 20LB Pressurized Abrasive Blaster for $50.
Wow, that's a great idea! That stripper made a mess! :D
WOW! Looks really great!
Thanks, James! I'm gonna try to hold onto Outrun. I really like that little cab!
Staples on the bottom are perfectly fine. I have many games that were like that from the factory.
I have high standards too. The game looks great in person. This is an average person restore. I'm using common tools and readily available paints, etc. I'm not doing auto body type work. :)
Very helpful - I have a Contra cabinet that I will someday restore - It's empty right now but it does have the old coin door, needs new t-molding ect... And what a great game gyruss!
I Love your vids you my friend have a talent in restoring Arcade cabinets! Nice job man keep up the good work
I like Spray Cans. :) This is a low-budget restore. :P
Wait part 6!? Ahhhh! :D Starting at part 1!
Thanks, buddy! Good luck with your project!
Hopefully my DIY goes this well when I decide to restore my Galaga cabinet exterior.
20:25 Those coin insert slots look sharp.
Heheh each time you said "paint it black" i had to think about The Rolling Stones.
you are doing a good job
Awesome job buddy. Love your vids.
a tool you would love is a soda blaster haha
I learn something every day. :)
Thanks, I'll try this next time!
Cool!!! Love your videos ... and Gyruss ... awesome game!!!
Thanks, man. I hate painting too!
love these vids, thanks John
Theatre of Magic is a fun pin! I used to have one. Thanks for watching the vid!
Also 1/8th" black laminate mdf worked really well for me for the back cover, it looks clean and only costs $5 for the sheet that I needed. I just screwed it on.
Sounds like a good idea but screwing it on doesn't sound good. :) There are many ways to go about all of this. The black paint looks great on my cab and I am happy with it.
Most of the stuff you need to complete your progect is available from suzo happ group. Their website has tons of useful arcade stuff. I would use particle board for your back door since plywood requires more sanding and prepping before painting.
you need a sand blaster,then you can use a gloss engine enamel strait over the sandblast finish,job done in no time
Thanks, this was useful
Thanks for the comment. I actually have about five coats of paint on all the metal parts. :) I just didn't film them all, only the priming stage.
You would benefit greatly from a sand blaster. You can get cheap ones from harbor freight with medium.
Great video! I hope you get hours of game play with gyruss!
Firstly, awesome videos. Was already wanting into the hobby, now im inspired and confident.
Two questions:
1) I have two macines w no coin door keys. Solution?
2) I have a battlezone w/ nearly immaculate side art but the paint around the art needs redone.
Tape off art and sand then paint??
Thanks, John
I just picked up a Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting in very rough shape cosmetically though the board is fine and monitor is also good.
I think it would work fine!
Wow! Thanks!! Tell your friends. ;)
the vid was pretty much amazing :)
Great video.. You give me hope for mine! You do great work, and aren't afraid to show what didn't work, and how you fixed it.. Got any good hints for dealing with the lower part of a cabinet where the sides are starting to de-laminate? Most of the cab is still good, but the lower 6" or so looks like it probably got wet at some point..
John, I love Love Love your vids. Thank you for sharing.
I am about to try my first arcade restore on a beat up Ninga Gaiden I just got for free.
You are helping me so much.
thanks Again!
kt47150 Awesome! I'd be curious to know what cabinet it was originally. I am not sure Ninja Gaiden was a dedicated game. I could be wrong, but I don't think it was.
Right. A sticker on the cabinet says Sega Gremlin Zaxxon. and the monitor has some burn in that I can make out "ENEMY PLANE" Someone rotated the monitor from Vertical to Horizontal for the conversion to NG.
Good job man, I've learned a lot watching your videos, keep up the good work!
I'm curious why you didn't just replace the front black mdf panel that the coin door attaches to instead of painting it. I'm doing a mame cabinet right now and I just bought a sheet of black laminate 3/4" mdf. Removed the bolts and the panel just comes off. Cut the new one to size and reinstalled. It looks really good. I know I wouldn't have painted it very well and this was actually faster and less work.
Man, I'm learning from this ;-)
Citristrip is pretty legit stuff.
Someday! I'd like to do one, maybe an EM?
Hey John, I just watched your restoration videos of Gyruss. Great job! Thanks for taking us through the whole restore. Sanding and Simple Green worked well to remove the paint but did you ever think about taking your metal pieces to a engine rebuilding shop? They have chemical baths that will strip paint and rust off engine blocks. I don't know what the cost would be, just an idea.
Have you tried Easy off oven cleaner and/or soda blasting (baking soda ) to clean the doors
wow, someone's excited... lol
i love it!
subbed :) awesome stuff!
very helpful vid i have learned alot thanks
+Edward Hardesty thanks, ed
Great work man. Almost finished with mine.
j-b weld is an amazing epoxy
I do enjoy your videos, it was painful however watching you apply that t-molding. There is no way it didn't come out all lumpy. Get yourself a soft rubber mallet (white), so you dont have to worry about denting the molding. Next time just use bondo on the coin door, seeing you fill it with JB Weld was also painful. Awesome collection.... I do enjoy your tech videos, but this is the first one I have seen you doing bodywork and painting.
John did you ever thing say 5 years ago you be a profesinal arcade game restore :) jammyyy
Great channel, i subbed
i found some old wooden cabs just the shell out side a closed arcade they were only going to be dumped so im going to be buliding a mame acrade soon
1) Buy coin door locks! :) I use Illinois double bitted 7/8" locks. Google it.
2) I have done this before. My Domino man had good side art but the black around it was bad. I taped the side art and painted around it. It worked great. YMMV.
Do you think the JB weld and washers would hold well enough for plugging holes in a control panel? If not, what would you use?
not bad if you make one on a beatifull "bride of pinbot" to make a perfection!
You sir, are a champ. Better living through chemicals! :D
think would have use cardboard of something to hold washer or whatever used in so you don't have that on the back. would have used different t molding that stayed in and maybe little clue to hold on at ends. staples are just not right. was a few other things but can't remember now.
I think it was a 12V coin door so I use #161
This looks like a Williams Stargate cabinet, right?
Thanks! The damn mic on my camera is stereo and it does stupid stuff with the panning. I need an easy way to convert the videos to mono.
Nice video, quick question, I wanna make my own MAME arcade cabinet, would I need T-Moulding or is it one of the lesser evils that you don't need to have since it's just staying in my room?
Would you recommend a strong polly filler for any dinks on edges?
I have used Bondo for gouges on the edges to square them off. Works well.
The Arcade Geek john it is
Thanks for helpful videos. I just started my Street Fighter II CE restore project. Your videos have helped a lot. What do you recommend I use to protect the corners of the cabinet? The corners and bottom of the cabinet are taking a beating.
thanks in advance.
Would of been helpful if he said what grit sandpaper he used on the different parts
haha awesome! I just cringe seeing people do stuff like this when "restoring"...I guess I'm a bit of a snob in that regards. =P Especially the "it's good enough" comments. I was like...No! No! Do it right! at the monitor...but in the end, if it's something you're not selling, and it's for you...who cares in the end. As long as your happy with it!
Cool Beans! Did you do any vids for your WhirlWind Pinball too?
+jim pincollector Yes, I have a couple.
I sold it. It's going to Germany!!
That sticker had to go! I was patching that hole. :)
i have a pacman upright and the T-moldong is very brittlle and brakes off in the groove, any ideas on a safe way to get it out?
haha this is not an insult, but your voice kills me xD you sound like an excited motivational speaker hahaha
Thanks, bro. Truth is, I'm a spaz. :)
John's Arcade Game Reviews & Tech haha! and he's a comedian! i must say your collection is very impressive. awesome arcade you have man. im subbed now and looking forward to checking out your videos! love the repairs and restores
From Happ Controls! (Suzo Happ)
Hey John. Great video man. I've been a long time watcher and thanks to your videos I've been able to jump into repairing a few of my old arcade machines. I had a question about replacing the t molding though, I have an original pacman my father owned when he ran an arcade that has been past down to me, it's all original and still working great but the molding has cracked in a few places and was thinking if replacing it. If I do will that affect the collectiablity with purist and if not can you recommend a good place to find a tmolding that will be as close to original as possible.
Looking for t molding for my original Pac-Man cabinet , any advice ?
Just read the clean up instructions if your unsure if your paint is oil or water ;)
What about a lock for the coin door
Well, your right about not being a painting expert. But still a good job.