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IJ - Grail pin restore


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Disclaimer: I have no idea how long this project is going to take, but I will update the thread as things progress.

Warning: Possible ramblings-on may bore most readers. I will generally be writing in diary form (but maybe not even) regarding this resto, and it will be late most times I do this. At times I may be drunk, so profanity may be used without notice. See, already rambling.. ;)

 

Well, its finally happening. After around 23 years of dreaming about owning an IJ (I am now going on 37 ;) ), the planets aligned and I got hold of one, this was around 3 years ago now, I looked under the hood once, and it has been sitting in storage ever since, waiting for me to pluck up the courage, knowledge, and skill to tackle it.

You see I am (and probably a lot of AA members are?) someone who doesn’t just like to play pins as such. I like to ‘know’ the machine, every nut, bolt and mechanism, down to the tiniest detail. Anything less gives me a feeling im missing out somehow.

I was never going to just buy a perfect condition IJ, or get someone else to restore this for me (although it crossed my mind for a second), only to just get it, set it up and play away.

I feel as though I would have missed out on half the fun this way. The thought of missing out on the self satisfaction of restoring my Holy Grail of Holy Grail pins, and at the same time dishonoring my teenage self in the process just wasn’t an option. Weird huh?

Anyway moving on..

 

I am finally about to embark on 'The Pinball Adventure' of my life. This machine is number 1 on my grail pin list (if you didn’t notice already).

It has been a fair journey really, I started off nearly 5 years ago dreaming of this moment. I began acquiring pins in preparation. Starting off with basic service projects, with the learning curve went as follows;

- ID4 simple service http://www.aussiearcade.com/showthread.php/48789-Independance-Day-service

- Project BOP, which included my first attempt at cabinetry and decals http://www.aussiearcade.com/showthread.php/58559-The-Bride-lives-again-resto!!-Finished-and-heaps-of-pic-s!!

- Then HSII, which, among many other things, included my first attempt at a pf restore http://www.aussiearcade.com/showthread.php/61075-Getaway-1-Scrap-heap-0-Project-complete-mass-of-pic-s-!!

- Then Fish Tales, Included pf restore (first attempt at air brushing) and building complete new cabinet http://www.aussiearcade.com/showthread.php/67008-Fish-Tales-1-Parts-bin-0

- And another Fish Tales, massive pf restore http://www.aussiearcade.com/showthread.php/67409-FT-playfield-restore/page2 , and the first time I did a lower cab restore, instead of replacement (lesson learned there..).

 

All of these projects where undertaken with the intention to learn enough to eventually take on this IJ restore with the confidence that I could do it justice, so hear I am, hopefully…

Oh, and thanks to the guy that invented the internet, Aussie Arcade, and youtube . Couldn’t have learnt to clear coat, air brush, or anything else really without these!

 

A bit of background on this machine - This is actually the final project machine in a trilogy of pins I acquired due to the floods in QLD around 5? years ago. The HSII and FT listed above, with this IJ, where all at the same location when the floods hit. All these machines had water lines that looked to go about half way up the cab, completely destroying the lower cab and leaving the pf hardware and components in a terrible mess.

The water presence is noticeable with the pics taken under the pf, with major corrosion on all mechanisms and light sockets.

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1206_zpsiyc5gkzv.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/a6be0dcd-efd0-4545-adf1-b6ba9d1df8ef_zpsquubtyz7.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1216_zpss31gefke.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1217_zpsvsgk8m2h.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1218_zpsqwuj4um6.jpg

 

HOLLY CRAP! Rookie error on leaving the batteries in when I stored it them years ago! No damage on board though *few*..

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1226_zps017zkpcz.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1227_zpswu172wpi.jpg

 

Early observed problem areas on PF

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1233_zpsmqotf8nk.jpg

 

My main concern when checking the pf is the high traffic area’s (return lanes, wireform ball drop areas, kickout holes and around the flippers). Overall first impression is that it is not too bad at all, but I will save my final evaluation until I have it all stripped (lessons learned ;) )..

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1239_zpshyhfskax.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1240_zpsbkopg01i.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1241_zpsogr3a9w6.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1244_zpsv3t4yuxg.jpg

 

LITTLE BASTARDS !!!!

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1242_zpsdfvbmnvi.jpg

 

Mice I assume, better then rats I guess, hope they haven’t done too much damage to the harness…

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1243_zpsqar8ubel.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1245_zpsdzveiny3.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1246_zpszf7ds2hq.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1247_zpsoqartqmc.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1248_zpssaja28q1.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1249_zpsjtkyo8ag.jpg

 

A good example of the water presence..

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1250_zpsqxd05mca.jpg

 

 

At the moment early evaluation on the cab is bottom replacement to be made, may be able to restore headbox.

As expected, corrosion on all things metal, above and below pf.

 

New project is exciting and daunting at the same time, will hope to update soon..

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just got past the warning section then fell asleep. :)

 

Yeah, sorry about that :redface it was getting late..

 

Even as it sits the playfield colours look nice and bright, no broken plastics and nothing missing, I reckon it's great, good luck with your resto :023:

 

Yeah, so far I have been presently surprised (fingers crossed) on the condition of this pf, and the overall machine in general, compared to the other flood games I got.

Inserts look pretty good also, which is obviously a common issue with these.

 

Aside from what I have seen on the net, I have only seen/played an IJ two times since I was a teenager, with one of those times at the Pin Expo just a couple of years ago..

Its amazing how an impression something makes on you as a kid can linger with you for so long.

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Stripping has begun, starting with the removal of the pf out of the cab. Man this pf is ONE HEAVY MOTHER!!

Compared to the other restores I would think the IJ pf weighs in at nearly double the other ones. With this in mind I decided to strip the underside of the pf first to get the weight off it. I didn’t want the thing flexing anymore then it had been in the machine (or especially in the opposite direction) incase it dislodges an insert or something.

Progress pics;

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1270_zpsazhw86xo.jpg

 

The Idol motor assembly, yuk!..

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1266_zps7bkl1tkk.jpg

 

Wiring harness and hardware removed..

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/798ce08a-1243-41ea-bad5-04cf050b4d02_zpsuyz9mpsy.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1277_zpstb2umky5.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1278_zpsykirg6mm.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1279_zpswhavl5s9.jpg

 

An example of what all the metal parts ontop of the pf look like (see the rust spot where the captive ball was sitting)..

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1289_zpsai1spvy8.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1290_zpsnnzlomgo.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1291_zpsg0zhlhza.jpg

 

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o785/davidtheverygood/Indiana%20Jones/DSC_1292_zpssvaulw9s.jpg

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Love a good IJ resto. Good luck with all that corrosion. Days and days of tumbling or straight to the platers?

 

I think I am just going straight to the platers with this lot, anyone you could recommend (I have used the guys on the Gold Coast already..)?

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only a suggestion before going to an electroplater.....as you have a lot of pieces, and this will be time consuming but might be worth it.......write down what is going and scan the smaller pieces and print out the pages so when you the parts back you can place them over the images.

If a screw or bracket etc. is not wired correctly and falls off, just maybe it's in the bottom of a bath and it takes a long time to fish the the bottom of a tank you can't see with a magnet.

If that sounds too much count the number of pieces and confirm when you drop them off the numbers.

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Astor metal finishers in Sydney are very good.

 

Cool thanks, will contact them.

 

If getting a brass or gold finish, should it be clear coated or something to stop it from wearing off? I noticed they offer 2 pac lacquer finish, is this just their term for clear coating?

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@FLEX Why is this I.J so rusty? Was it located at a beach front location or was it an anchor on a submarine..

 

Oh man, you didn't read my long winded intro to this project :cry , anyway, in short...

 

.... A bit of background on this machine - This is actually the final project machine in a trilogy of pins I acquired due to the floods in QLD around 5? years ago. The HSII and FT listed above, with this IJ, where all at the same location when the floods hit. All these machines had water lines that looked to go about half way up the cab, completely destroying the lower cab and leaving the pf hardware and components in a terrible mess.

The water presence is noticeable with the pics taken under the pf, with major corrosion on all mechanisms and light sockets...

 

So at the time of the floods, you would have definitely been able to tie your boat up to it (a small boat anyway) ;) .

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Brass and gold plating are quite 'thin' types of electroplating.

I remember when my folks shifted house and when the bathroom was re-done my mum insisted on gold plated vanity and shower fittings, having spent some time as an electroplater I advised against it but was ignored and in no time the plating was gone.

You may have seen taps and shower heads etc gold plated and noticed the nickel coming through as a result of use and cleaning so IMO if you are considering this type of plating get the most durable clear coating possible. I have used clear for floors.

You may consider putting the clear on yourself, why, because should over time if it wear or gets scratched you can strip the piece and re-apply the clear knowing it will match the other pieces, or you could just buy some that the platers use.

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  • 5 months later...

Something has happened!!

So after posting this thread up, I had a call from a fellow AA member (you know who you are, thanks heaps!!) regarding an IJ parts lot that would help go towards this project if I was interested! With the offer including a real nice playfield set, and a Popeye cab with partly populated playfield, it didn’t take long before I was in the car and home again with the parts.

 

Second pf..

ws0bjEn.jpg?1

 

KLSTOAC.jpg

 

WNf5Uzy.jpg

 

EUgPwPD.jpg

 

This is the Popeye cab..

 

ktxfY8N.jpg

 

uMp6qVK.jpg

 

xCkrhxt.jpg

 

 

Many thoughts about what best to do with all this crossed my mind. I wasn’t to sure about using the Popeye cabinet to begin with, I had restored a cab in my second FT and was a bit disappointed with the finish (looks great, just doesn’t have that nice solid feel of a fresh new cab). I also wasn’t sure how complete the box of parts where. Do I just ditch the Popeye and focus on one IJ, could I actually make two with the parts I have? Its not every day you end up with playfields sets for two IJ's (wouldn’t of dreamt it for myself in this lifetime anyway).

 

I started to wonder, what if I could make two? Keep one for myself and sell the other. This idea really took hold and I decided to inspect everything I had in more details. I started with the Popeye cab, and after a good look at it it seems in very solid condition, and it had all the cabinet parts needed, unfortunately no boards, but these can be purchased.

I also needed to know just how much extra parts where needed to make a second IJ pf. I thought the best thing to do was check the parts off in the bin of parts I bought against the parts I had stripped from the complete machine. I spread them out across the floor of the shed and ticked each part off as I went, putting doubles aside in their seperate boxes until I had what I needed left over..

 

Complete IJ pf parts..

 

rRBphgV.jpg

 

Incomplete pf IJ parts..

ELOwRXa.jpg

 

It was at this point when I realised I needed ALOT of main parts.. All the unique mechanisms where not there, the idol VUK and motor assy, the mini pf motor assy, flipper mechs, coils, pf backpanel, brackets, drop targets, wire forms, etc etc.. I had the Popeye parts there, but only the generic ones would help.

 

Anyway, not to be deterred to early, I decided to jump online and see how hard (and expensive) it was to get these parts, and the harder I looked the more bits I needed.

 

To my surprise it wasn’t all that difficult. I found most of what I needed, and the stuff I haven’t found should turn up at some point. I found that Marco’s or PSPA may not list a part complete, like the 3 bank drop target, but they will actually have all the parts listed individually to make the whole assy up. It is just a matter of breaking the assy down into individual components using the manual, and searching for all the parts that way.

Very time consuming yes, but better then nothing.

 

So to sum it up, this IJ restore has now turned into IJ restore x 2. One is going to be epic, I will need to make a pf wiring loom, build mech’s and make brackets from scratch. Here is a pic of the guides I am missing, if anyone can help me with any of these it would be fantastic! I also need a set of wireforms (excluding the captive ball one). I will be getting these made up if I cant source originals..

 

Found the scoop and saucer hole guides (crossed out), still looking for the rest though..

 

Hope to get onto the playfields soon..

Edited by FLEX
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Doing a bit of a tidy up of the worst of the two pf's so I can have a good look at the issue's. Indy himself has been trashed and touched up by someone. I have cleaned it up and am thinking of just getting a decal for this as it will be a bitch to colour match his skin colour, and I would have to make his T-shirt a solid colour.

 

Wna2wKa.jpg

 

What do guys do about ball swirl? I have tried magic eraser on the area's below but it doesnt seem to be getting right into the groove. I am in two minds about spraying the area's (another colour matching issue), or just leaving them (these always seem worse when you can stare right at them from 30cm's away).

Interested to get some feedback on this?

 

aqtTtLD.jpg

Edited by FLEX
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Only just discovered this thread and looking forward to the outcome. Nice BoP restoration by the way :)

 

Are you going to clearcoat this playfield after the touch-ups?

 

I’m still new to this, but I discovered the hard way that if you keep going with the magic eraser on the ball swirls, you will eventually go through the base colour.

 

If clear coating, then maybe get one coat down to seal and level and you could use frisket to airbrush the orange and yellow areas (also doing words Willie & Marion), light clearcoat again and either repair the pre-scanned halftones in photoshop, or use a halftone template and apply with waterslides decals before final clearcoats.

Could also do this with his shirt and open shirt skin colour, up to his chin.

 

I’ve never done halftones yet, but read some good results on Vid’s Guides.

 

Lot of work, but will turn out nice.

 

http://www.artscene.com.au/shopping/airbrushes/masking-film/frisket-masking-film

http://www.decalpaper.com.au/

 

Good luck :023:

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