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Thread: Full Restoration

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    Blind Shooter Kojiro's Avatar
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    Default Full Restoration

    I've decided that I am going to track my restoration via a single thread here on Pachitalk. I just bought a 1973 Nishijin Model B. I have begun disassembling the trays in the front and started cleaning the metal. As my first issue, I've had some difficulty cleaning the chrome in the front. Although I've used Nevr-dull, which has helped polish and clean the metal, there still appears to be some "pitting". I've tried #00 steel wool and warm water, but that only help get rid of the rust. Any tips on how to resolve this issue? I want to get a nice clean finish on this metal.

    IMG_2594.JPGIMG_2593.JPG

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    Tokie Owens riff-raff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    This is going to be a real bummer to restore. Try looking up (how to restore automotive trim) that should get you pointed in the right direction.

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    Pachi Puro pachiwall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    I have never priced...but threads where people have rechromed parts, usually end with "I'll never dothat again!" That pitting, or texture is probably surface rust below the chrome plating. Can't remove it without removing the chrome.
    Part of the high cost is all the prep involved. Strip off all chrome. If pitts in surface, needs to be filled...I believe with brass or copper. The steel is copper plated, then buffed very smooth. Then plated. If the steel was pitted, and simplt stripped and chromed, the pits would shine like the surface of the moon. Plus regulation of the chemicals and processes of chroming have almost killed the industry. Notice that new cars have no "real" chrome on them!
    I usually just disassemble and clean as best I can...and live with it. If you must have great chrome on a budget, look for another Model B with better chrome, hopefully cheap. You can swap doors...but then you want the new one to look its best.

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    Blind Shooter Kojiro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Thank you for all the tips. I'm now considering modifying this machine significantly. Plastidip all of the chrome?

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    Stuey - The RADministrator MrGneiss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Some people have had good results powder coating once they find out how hard and expensive rechroming will be!! Lots of fun colors

    "Blowing smoke rings at the moon."

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    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    chrome plating is expensive and it’s the only way to resolve pitting. if the pitting isn’t bad I’d just leave it as part of the patina and restore the rest. if it is bad, maybe consider another machine entirely or buy a parts machine with what you need.
    EM Pinballs & Arrangeballs

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    Eye Shooter hkp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    The chrome appears to have bubbled from underneath. To get that out, it is very likely that it will fleck off. I've seen good results using steel wool, and Marvel Mystery oil, but bear in mind that the chrome will likely fleck off. As an aside, the Marvel Mystery oil works especially well cleaning oxidized aluminum, even using just a cloth.

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    Blind Shooter Kojiro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Well I made my first attempt at modifying the vintage machine to make it look better because of the pitted chrome. I used a matte gray plasti dip on the chrome. I haven't reattached all the parts to the door, but here is how it turned out. Let me know what you think!

    IMG_2597.JPGIMG_2596.JPG

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    Pachi Puro mxfaiman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    I feel like plasti-dip will not hold up well over time. I'd think it would tare from either the balls or people's hands rubbing against the panel.

    Usually the pitting will never come out completely. We usually sand down panels to just before the copper layer and then buff them. This removes a good portion of pitting but it ain't perfect. To rechrome a from panel it is about $50 at the various places I asked. To do an entire frame (inner, outer and panel) it will run you $250-300.

    I've seen member CarlW had powder coated some frames in the past which turned out pretty nice. For front panels at one point I found some heavy duty hotel wallpaper (vinyl kind) and glued that to the front panel. Many other brands such as sankyo and sanyo used vinyl wallpaper on their front panels. That turned out pretty nice and it is holding up pretty well too. Though it was a lot of work to get it all set right.

    100 machines and counting...

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    Pachi Puro Moparformances's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Kojiro View Post
    Well I made my first attempt at modifying the vintage machine to make it look better because of the pitted chrome. I used a matte gray plasti dip on the chrome. I haven't reattached all the parts to the door, but here is how it turned out. Let me know what you think!
    interesting.. the pics look good.. did you sand the chrome first??

    please let us know how it holds up..
    Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, .......... /........ If your not going to stand behind our troops
    ...committed people can change the world. ............. /.................Please, Please stand in front of them
    .....Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has............./
    .........................................Margaret Mead

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    Stuey - The RADministrator MrGneiss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Looks good to me!!

    "Blowing smoke rings at the moon."

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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    I'm going to see how it holds up. I did not do the back side, because I didn't want the plasti-dip to mess with the mechanics. Only time will tell, but by using plasti-dip I kept the original chrome intact if I want to have it later

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    Blind Shooter Kojiro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Before reassembling the door I wanted to try to clean the plastic trays on the front of the machine and restore their original color. They have yellowed a little over time and it is evident from the difference in color on the front as opposed to the color on the back (facing the chrome door). I understand that it will not work on clear plastics, but has anyone ever tried retrobrite on these color plastics?

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    Eye Shooter gooilers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    The search function in the top right corner is your friend! A quick search revealed this informative thread with very valuable contributions by emmadog; retrobrite
    Last edited by gooilers; 11-14-2017 at 05:26 PM.

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    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    I’ve tried it on some dark blue plastics on an arrangeball machine and it worked but the difference wasn’t as pronounced as white ABS plastics. Watch out for blooming which is irreversible.
    EM Pinballs & Arrangeballs

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    Blind Shooter Kojiro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Thank you for the advice emmadog! Because I'm not 100% versed in retrobrite, can you explain what "blooming" is? Do you have a photo?

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    Gibisans - Japan West compirate's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by emmadog View Post
    Watch out for blooming which is irreversible.
    Especially in onions!

    人生は恐れなければ、とても素晴らしいものなんだよ。
    人生に必要なもの。それは勇気と想像力、そして少しのお金だ。

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  28. #18
    Pachi Puro emmadog's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    Blooming is when the mixture is allowed to dry and/or the hydrogen peroxide concentration is too strong. The result is that the plastic becomes bleached and it’s a permanent thing. However, retr0brite is easy to make and use-just follow the instructions.
    EM Pinballs & Arrangeballs

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  30. #19
    Tokie Owens riff-raff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Full Restoration

    You might look at Eastwood. Com for DIY electroplating tin/zink kit and DIY powder coatings kit.

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    Blind Shooter Kojiro's Avatar
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    Default

    After 7 hrs of retrobrite, no real change to yellow.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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