Pinball Restoration
This was a natural progression for me to move into after the experiments with arcade game restoration. I didn't quite equate that the machines were a lot larger, and therefore the work required would be proportional. And that it would be soooooo addictive.
I initially, just learned the art of " Shopping" a Pinball Machine, by actually turning my hobby into a career. I asked around and found that luckily, I had one of Australia's largest importers of used European Pinball's on my doorstep. Tony at The Pinball Shed showed me the ropes and 2 years later, I feel I can call myself a qualified Pinball restorer.
"I didn't quite equate that the machines were a lot larger, and therefore the work required would be proportional"
My current project
I have started work on a Williams The Machine- Bride of Pinbot Pinball. It was manufactured in 1991 and was one of the last old style cfl displays made. The reason I decided on this machine, is that it was a rare model with a "Diamond-coat" play-field. This means that it is actually clear coated over the lovely artwork with a 2 pack acrylic, hard as nails. This should have been done on earlier machines, to stop the wear.
As can bee seen in the top photo, it is a lot of work to get the faded screen-print off of the plywood beneath. This is required to be able to apply brand new reproduction side-art onto the machine to give it that "Brand New" feel. I can assure you that a lot of time, in fact 3 weeks, went into removing the old, filling up the dents and scratches from wear and tear, and then the painting of 3 coats underneath, then the final vinyl layer.
The second image shows the head-box, and what all that hard work results in. I am very happy with the results. What do you think?