Model A Bowling Alley 2nd Resto Attempt

[sparky kilowatt]

This Nishijin model A Bowing Alley pachinko has sentimental value to me, it was a Christmas gift from my parents back in 1973 or 1974 (can't find the holiday pics to confirm ). Over the years I've cleaned on it, couple of years back I tried to do a resto, but my limited abilities at the time stopped me from doing a complete job, just removed some plastics front & back, polished the nails in place with brasso.

I wanted this to be as close to original as possible because of it's family history, so I stayed with the flowers playfield theme.

[sparky kilowatt]

Once I got the playfield stripped down, I could see just how much water damage and fading had occurred. I sanded both the front & back, then applied two coats of polyurethane to seal the wood. I also lightly sanded the front of the frame and gave it a couple of coats as well.

[sparky kilowatt]

The plastics were still pretty clean got a thorough cleaning, wet sanding the front blue pieces with 320/400/600/1000/1500/2000 grit wet paper followed by Novus and Turtle Wax Plastic restorer. I used Salon 40 on most of the white parts, with the exception of the center attraction bowling alley, too much paint to touch up, so I didn't want to risk it.

[sparky kilowatt]

My wife helped me in applying the new playfield, what a difference that made. Polished out the rails with 4/0 steel wool and metal polish, tumbled all the nails in walnut shells, nice and shiny now!

Took all the wiring off the back, re-soldered the lamp sockets, then borrowed an idea from forum member Wayne-Ooo and added a couple of green LED's behind the jackpot so they'll light up along with the bowling alley center attraction.

[sparky kilowatt]

The chrome frame was in pretty good shape for it's age, some minor rust, but I think it came out pretty good. I did have to make a new clear plexiglass window for the jackpot, damaged the original one trying to clean it with rubbing alcohol in order to hot glue gun the LED's, turns out the alcohol distorted the lens.

[sparky kilowatt]

Overall, big improvement. Lots of thanks to everybody on the forum for all the pointers you've shared in all of your posts, my abilities and confidence have increased exponentially since I first started posting here.

Now if my sisters and I can just locate the old Christmas pictures to help jog my parents memories of how this machine came to be a part of our family.

[takethecastle57]

Fantastic Restoration job and to be in your family for so Many Years and hopefully stay with your Family Many more years and biscuits !!

[Wayne-Ooo]

Excellent job!

Looks like it was done by a professional restorer.

[MrGneiss]

Nice!! well done!!

[Silverstreak02]

Awesome job