To Paint, or to Vinyl....

[level42]

I just discovered this on ThisOldGames.com:

http://www.thisoldgame.com/products/donkey-kong-red-vinyl-kit

I hadn't seen it before, it looks AMAZING !




Now, of course, I still have the 100% exact matching paint that Bruno had mixed for me.....

However, this vinyl makes me VERY tempting to go this way....

The reasons:
1) I'm so-so at painting. A black inside or back is no problem with a roller, but a side should be sprayed I guess and I  don't really have any room to do that in.
2) However talented you are at spraying or rollering, it still will be paint. And we all know the original stuff is vinyl/formica like stuff...
3) I've experienced how easy it is to apply vinyl while doing my SW cockpit. I think it's a breeze compared to painting.

The cons:
1) Is the color a 100% match (it sure does look like it on the pic and I know Rich, he's a perfectionist).
2) I already paid the paint (hey, I'm Dutch ! )

Seriously consider the vinyl....very tempting ! This is the same stuff as used for the D2K kit (the dark blue) and we all know how great that looks.

http://www.thisoldgame.com/products/donkey-kong-2-saphire-blue



In fact......


Since I have a board-set laying around....

And since I played DK on Mame so much lately (on my laptop, only during lunch-breaks of course), I am _very_ tempted to convert my MB to DK.....

I love Mario Bros. Really, but I love DK even more. Much more..... I mean, it's THE grand-daddy of all Mario games. And it has something about it.....something magical, that keeps me dragging into it time and time again....

[petieken]

Is the vinyl textured or smooth?

My opinion: if it's textured vinyl, if it's smooth paint

[level42]

Which vinyl do you mean ? The original Nintendo or the stuff that Rich sells ?

Both are totally smooth. You can't get any paint that smooth IMHO.

Here's a pic of the blue version:

[petieken]

Aaah I see, if Nintendo used vinyl originally I would go for vinyl then. Especially if it's the same quality as the original stuff.

[Maverick]

Hmm,

but before proceeding I think you should consider - with the money, time and efforts to make it done

If it not better to trade the cab?

mario for Dk

with someone who has a donkey or someone who is willing to buy the mario bros (and from which money you can buy an original DK machine)

It would be a pity see an original mario bros cab so violeted

Just my idea


I think in France someone with a Dk is still available

For the mario bros first check on the trade section if someone is willing to buy it

only if nobody want to buy then go for the conversion


it is easier and faster (and 100% to get an original color DK)


My advice

Mav

 
Ps= post a photo of your mario cab, maybe it would help also on how to proceed in case

[Superully]

here's what i think:

(1) DON'T convert mario bros. to dk

(2) i'd try some color touchups first

(3) IF it doesn't look square on, i'd order the vinyl kit

con:
- additional costs (which are HUGE for shipping vinyl)

pro:
- i might also need some vinyl PLUS i have a bigger order coming in from gamestencils.com (stencils / sideart) and brian is always very kind to let me have stuff from other parties shipped to him and include it along with his own stuff. this way, we could ask rich to mail the vinyl to rich, he could put it in the tube along with the stencils / sideart, ship it over to my place and you could pick it up in person over here. would save us both some serious money!

[Maverick]

here's what i think:

(1) DON'T convert mario bros. to dk

I quote

Mav

[ckong]

This is a difficult one. I'm pretty sure that with vinyl you could realize a very smooth surface, IF the underground, including the edges, is totally smooth. Else it might still look as a very slick paintjob.

Viny is used original.

The most difficult part to apply vinyl would be the edges I guess, you have to cut it in a smooth line, and be sure that the T-molding covers the vinyl edge.

Paint is of course not original, but you can get very good results with, as I discovered with mine.

A drawback of using vinyl is your original artwork, which has to be removed also. Will cost you money to get a new set, and you loose the originality of it.


My opinion is: first try to paint the cab while masking the original artwork (as I did). You have the paint already and other costs are very low. If you are not satisfied you can always go for the vinyl.

By the way, I am considering to build a D2K cabinet for some weeks now, and it is good to know that thisoldgames not only has the artwork set, but also the blue vinyl.


Last point, don't convert the cab, please keep it original. If you really want a DK, buy a (project) DK cab and wenn necessary sell this MB (to me  )

[level42]

Good thoughts guys. However there are some small practical problems.

DK cabs are not actually things you "buy around the corner"....
Finding one is extremely hard and expensive.

Also, my MB cab is not really an original MB cab. It was a Radar Scope. The serial plate, color and screen-burn proves that it has been a Radar Scope _and_ that it has been run as such for quite some time.

So, if I would be extremely hardcore (and would have a serie of Nintendo cabs) I would convert it back to a Radar Scope (not easy finding stuff for it though !). But that's not a serious option.

At some point, they did a "half" conversion. The side-art (which is different colors from the side-art you normally see),the bezek, marquee and the CP were installed, but the monitor was never put in horizontal position (Until I did it). I bough the cab without PCB set. Found one on e-bay US, untested but it works 100%.

So I don't feel much for selling this and hoping to find another one. Also, I prefer DK in red. I'm not a big fan of the baby-blue. Matter of taste.

I'm beyond color touch ups already, did some bondoing but never finished it. I'm just not that good at wood-work...and it's impossible to do in winter time for me.
Will have to finish it wether I go with paint or vinyl....indeed the surface has to been extremely smooth for either choice.

The ruining of the original side-art is a good point. That would be a shame indeed as it is simply in mint condition, not a single scratch.

So, I think the vinyl option would also mean DK conversion. Well I still have plenty of time to think about it, I will first finish the Berzerk and then the SW cockpit.

Here's the full story about my MB cab:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=62884.0

Here's a pic from when I first got it. Don't be deceived, there was heavy damage on the lower sides. And man do kids grow fast !


O, and as mentioned, I found the applying of vinyl very easy. Check out my video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47T6O344vPc

[DarthNuno]

I agree for the vinyl... extremely easy to fix... even for huge size.

I've done it for the first timethree years ago for my Space Ace, with many pictures that can help, right here. I was a little bit afraid, but it was just ...right   

 

[level42]

I was a bit worried before I started too, but it's indeed fun and easy to do ! And you have a perfect result SO quickly...

Here's my "instruction" pics:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68094.msg1016416#msg1016416