Testocules
Fio's Quartermaster
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2007
- Posts
- 478
I bought my first cabinet recently - unfortunately it is not a Neo Cab. I bought a Killer Instinct conversion to KI2. The artwork and CP are KI1, but the board and marquee are KI2. I wanted to start restoring it but I am not sure exactly where to begin.
It needs a CP restoration, new side art, repainting and possibly a new coin door (it doesnt look like the original). I have looked around for some tutorials and really have been unlucky on finding a lot of information about how to do it. The info out there usually applies to cabinets much older than mine and are painted and a small side artwork is then applied.
I looked around and found NOS side art which I purchased. It is The original KI2 side art with Orchid. It came in two 3'x3' sections for each side - which need to be aligned to form the full picture. I am not sure how to apply this new artwork - While I can certainly learn from my mistakes, it will be too late for my restoration to come out right once it is screwed up.
The existing side art (Spinal from KI) has a few holes in it where something rubbed through. It also has a small patch about the size of my hand where the particle board has expanded due to water damage. I think I should try to remove all the existing vinyl artwork, sand down the water-damaged area, then apply the new artwork.
How do I get the best results? Do I sand off the existing artwork, or does it remove in strips? After sanding, should I paint the sides before applying the artwork or does it apply to bare wood? Is there a best practices for getting vinyl to go down correctly the first time w/o air bubbles etc?
Sorry this post is so long, but is there anyone on this forum that has done this and can detail what I should do or at least point me in the right direction with a tutorial? Thanks for any help you can offer.
It needs a CP restoration, new side art, repainting and possibly a new coin door (it doesnt look like the original). I have looked around for some tutorials and really have been unlucky on finding a lot of information about how to do it. The info out there usually applies to cabinets much older than mine and are painted and a small side artwork is then applied.
I looked around and found NOS side art which I purchased. It is The original KI2 side art with Orchid. It came in two 3'x3' sections for each side - which need to be aligned to form the full picture. I am not sure how to apply this new artwork - While I can certainly learn from my mistakes, it will be too late for my restoration to come out right once it is screwed up.
The existing side art (Spinal from KI) has a few holes in it where something rubbed through. It also has a small patch about the size of my hand where the particle board has expanded due to water damage. I think I should try to remove all the existing vinyl artwork, sand down the water-damaged area, then apply the new artwork.
How do I get the best results? Do I sand off the existing artwork, or does it remove in strips? After sanding, should I paint the sides before applying the artwork or does it apply to bare wood? Is there a best practices for getting vinyl to go down correctly the first time w/o air bubbles etc?
Sorry this post is so long, but is there anyone on this forum that has done this and can detail what I should do or at least point me in the right direction with a tutorial? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Last edited:
