Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle
General Chat => Arcade Lifestyle => Topic started by: DarthNuno on March 18, 2016, 09:59:42 PM
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(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/news/jesuischarlie.jpg)
Back in middle of 2015.
Got the opportunity to buy a game I used to love a play like a crazy back in the days.
What a great game! What great memories... I remember playing it with my old friends, like if it was yesterday!
I discovered that game in a local pub in my native village, where there was only one arcade cabinet and one pinball.
They regularly changed the games... I discovered many games for the very first time at that place (I can remember Mag Max, Crazy Kong, Bionic Commando, Tutankham, Space Panic,...)
...and that game : Circus Charlie! :-*
Of course, I played it on a generic cabinet, because the dedicated cabinet was never imported in Europe back then...like all the games I played at that specific pub!
Sooo... when I saw this game for sale at COW, I had to jump on that opportunity.
As usual when buying games from COW, you must react fast and so, no time for questions unfortunately, otherwise someone else take it in less than hours(even minutes!) :ghost:.
So I had to make a quick decision, based on the two only pictures available :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus1.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus2.jpg)
I have already purchased games from COW, I didn't have any bad surprise so far...and ordering game over Valentin's container is so easy (thanks Valentin to make this possible), and so... yeah, that game doesn't look too bad on the pictures... so let's take it!
OK that game was supposed to be shipped from USA into container #8 in september 2015, but it's eventually inside the container #9 that this one came in Europe, and more precisely at Paris!
January 2016.
Container #9 just arrived, and games must be collected in Paris a precise day in January... but due to snow/horrible waiter condition, impossible for me to drive to Paris that day! And all the cabinet MUST be removed from the warehouse that day! :ghost:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_1.jpg)
A nice view of the Nuno's Lair during these snowing days...
Thanks to Olisan/Zamoth from COL but also Spectroman (and his 'wingman' that day?), the Circus Charlie will be moved & stored in the most famous Arcade in Paris : Coin-Op Legacy! :-* You all rulez, guys! :-*
February 2016.
Friday 6:32pm...
It's time for me to bring back the Circus Charlie from Paris to Belgium!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_2.jpg)
...and this time, that road trip to come will be an opportunity to bring wife & daughter with me, for a small trip to Paris!
First stop on the road... one of our favorite location on the way to Paris.... " Chez Michel' ...Belgium's favorite! :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_3.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_4.jpg)
...late arrival...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_5.jpg)
Saturday, late in the morning... got an appointment...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_6.jpg)
...at the COIN-OP LEGACY headquarters! :)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_7.jpg)
A nice welcome from Olisan himself :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_8.jpg)
And the Circus Charlie, standing among so many beautiful cabinets, inside this awesome place! :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_9.jpg)
So, for the first time I can see for real the Circus Charlie, purchased more than 7 months earlier.... and well... worst condition than expected :-\ :arrow:
This side is 'pretty' ok...it's the side I've seen on the initial pictures ...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_12.jpg)
... but the other one is not nice at all :-\ :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_11.jpg)
...sure, it is repairable but I didn't expect so much work (mostly water damage on the bottom).
Pictures I got from COW showed only one 1 side! OK lesson learned... no more 'blind' purchase like this...
Something is writing on the bezel?
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_10.jpg)
JE SUIS CHARLIE
Of course, it's a Circus Charlie, we are in Paris... it matches!
Let's load the cabinet :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_13.jpg)
...and enjoy that beautiful city :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_14.jpg)
L'Aquarium de Paris :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_15.jpg)
(picture courtesy of my daughter ;D)
By night...but for kids ;D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_17.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_16.jpg)
Sunday, on the 'way back' road, a short break at Disney Village to eat in a jungle, among the elephants :D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_18.jpg)
Got the opportunity to see & try this 'low budget' Star Wars "battle Pod" version... which is not great to play outside the real 'pod' IMHO :roll: :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_19.jpg)
Family picture 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_20.jpg)
...and as you can see, there's enough space in the car for me, my wife, my daughter...and a full size cabinet! 8) I love this car! :)
Finally at home, what a nice week end!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_rt_21.jpg)
Belgium -> France -> Belgium
831 km driven / 48 hours on ‘road trip / trip city’ time
Next step ...close examination of the cabinet... and first power on!
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A good ol' Nuno's road trip story, just like I like them. :wink:
A pretty nice way to start the weekend!
Cool cab, I think I have some untested Circus Charlie PCBs (probably bootlegs though), if it can help your restoration at some point.
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We should make a savekit for this game!!!
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It's an awesome game, and a beautiful cabinet. I think you've now got the second one in the whole of Europe ;)
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Great story Bruno, as all ways.
Never played the game, but it sure looks fun, to bad with the water damaged right side of the cab, but I'm sure you will be able to do something about that.
Was the game intact? Everything there?
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Let me know if you have any luck finding side art for it. This Old Game made it but don't seem to stock it now. I sent them a message but never got a reply.
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good catch, bruno, you never know FOR SURE what you get when you buy a game from COW - always a little suspense and surprise included! :P
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Well done, this game is fun, but quite challenging for me, never passed level 1. ;D
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OK, first inspection... everything is there, including an original Konami board :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circuscharlie1.jpg)
First power on, marquee light is OK, screen is on too, but black screen.
Voltages are a little bit low, but should be ok.
I bought months ago a Circus Charlie boot pcb, just in case... let's plug it to test it :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circuscharlie2.jpg)
That pcb works, cool! :)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circuscharlie3.jpg)
...but it looks like I have a monitor issue... I got vertical 'waves' in the picture ??? :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circuscharlie4.jpg)
...but the game is fully playable (played a couple of games :-*)
So I had to figure out what's wrong with the original Konami board, but also try to figure out what could be wrong on the monitor? These waves could be the result of a ground problem maybe?
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Very cool Bruno! I'm also a fan of the game and really like the shape of the cabinet..
Good luck with the restoration! :)
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It was a pleasure to see you again.
And happy to see that it works
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I can help taking any pictures of mine Bruno if you need them, mine is all original inside.
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Nice game, nice cab...Congratulations! :)
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...and as you can see, there's enough space in the car for me, my wife, my daughter...and a full size cabinet! 8) I love this car! :)
It's a good start point for tips about "my next car: arcade + family all in one "
...but I think I'm out of the game, cause from a few I had my second baby..
..anyway Bruno: good Cab! I played this game in the '80, I remember..
Wonderful the FBI sticker!
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Let me know if you have any luck finding side art for it. This Old Game made it but don't seem to stock it now. I sent them a message but never got a reply.
Got a set few months ago for TOG :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/Circus_Charlie_SA.jpg)
Yeah, this set is no more listed since ages on TOG website, but he still can make it... 8)
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Guess I better try again!
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It's an awesome game, and a beautiful cabinet. I think you've now got the second one in the whole of Europe ;)
Yes, Circus Charlie wasn't imported in Europe back then. And this is not what we can call a 'mainstream game' :-\
Whatever, here's the SN of my cabinet :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_serial_2.jpg)
What's your?
Did you also have this sticker on your cabinet, quite cool 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_serial_1.jpg)
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Here's mine, someone decided to paint over it for some reason ::)
(http://www.ukvac.com/forum/uploads/765/charlie-serial.jpg)
Number 43527, so our cabinets were made pretty close together.
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Very nice :)
The cabinet looks like a hybrid of the other famous Centuri cabinets Gyruss and Track&Field. Gyruss profile with the T&F CP angles
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Nice get! And you gotta love the Darthnuno roadtrip reports!
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....and back on this! ;D
Ok, this Circus Charlie is the last cabinet 'unrestored' inside my game room! It is like the black sheep in my collection...
First things first... let's have a close look to ... the cabinet damages! :oops: :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_1.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_2.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_3.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_4.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_5.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_6.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_7.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_8.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_9.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_10.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_11.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_12.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_13.jpg)
Holy COinupWharehouse! I do not think I would have bought it if I had seen all these damages closely... :roll:
Massive work to come I'm afraid...
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Serious wear indeed, but at least it is a worker :D
COW sucks :-\
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Ouch...crossing fingers the cracks are only on the surface and do not go deeper :-\
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I think that is still fixable ( u should see my bad unrestored cabs in the garage ), but well, needs some work off course.
So after this restoration, the only job left is to keep the games running? Congratulations ! :-D
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...but at least it is a worker :D
COW sucks :-\
Not really, monitor had issue and pcb not working (I had to buy an other one) :-\
Ouch...crossing fingers the cracks are only on the surface and do not go deeper :-\
Well, it's particle board. The laminate sheet suffered to the death :ghost:
I think that is still fixable ( u should see my bad unrestored cabs in the garage ), but well, needs some work off course.
Fixable yes, but it didn't expected so much work when I bought it. :oops: But like always, challenge accepted! 8)
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Let continue the inspection...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_14.jpg)
Inside the paint is falling appart...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_17.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_15.jpg)
Particles board and laminate sheet... the worst combinaison when you have to fix damages like this! :'( :evil: :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_16.jpg)
Surprisely the bottom is not as horrible as expected... :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_18.jpg)
OK... it's time to WIP!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_19.jpg)
Removing the crumbly particules board layer :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_20.jpg)
The question is... how to fix this "particles board/laminate sheet" combination?
The answer would be : fix the wood, and then apply a new white laminate sheet!
But the problem here is... I can't find laminate sheets like this?! I searched this in my area, but impossible to find it!
So, I'll try something else... not sure about the result, but I'll give it a try : to sand all these cracks, like this :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_21.jpg)
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finishing to sand this side...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_22.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_25.jpg)
I strengthen rotten wood with this :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_23.jpg)
...and use glue for damage like this :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_24.jpg)
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Glue, interesting - i thought you will need to take bondo for that. My centipede looks like your circus and is still waiting for restoration.
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Glue, interesting - i thought you will need to take bondo for that. My centipede looks like your circus and is still waiting for restoration.
On that specific area, the two parts 'of the trench' were too far apart, that why I've used glue first to join them as best as I can. Next step is of course 'bondo', yes 8)
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In addition of all the damage located on the bottom/edges of the cabinet due to water/humidity, there are also parts broken to fix :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_26.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_27.jpg)
Bondo times! :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_28.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_29.jpg)
Some zones require a lot of bondo, like this edge which have to be literally rebuild! :ghost: :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_30.jpg)
For me, there's no better solution than using perspex to rebuild 'straight'!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_32.jpg)
Of course, to fill with so much bondo can't be done in one step... it requires few 'layers'... watch out, scary picture! :-X :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_31.jpg)
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Looks like ur putting a melted chocolate cake on that cab ;D
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10 for i=1 to 5
20 print "applying bondo"
30 print "sand!"
40 next i
Run :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_33.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_34.jpg)
8)
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Far better already....keep going! 8)
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Looks like ur putting a melted chocolate cake on that cab ;D
Or some peanut butter ;D
Keep up the good work!!!
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Painting time!
I don't want this cab to look too white, too new or too flashy! No, i want it looks a slightly bit aged & authentic... that why I'll use -after the primer layer- this special white paint :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_35.jpg)
Which gives me the result I had in mind, see :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_36.jpg)
:-*
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Wow, beautifull!
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The monitor had an issue... but for this game I really want to use -if not the chassis- that tube, because it's screen burned 'Circus Charlie' and I love this :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_37.jpg)
I remember having a brand new chassis got... 8 years ago (see this topic (https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=1772.msg92960#msg92960)). Let's give it a try once again. I quickly build a jamma setup to test the chassis hooked to that monitor & the Circus Charlie pcb out of the cab...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_38.jpg)
OK, to setup the geometry & to inverse the vertical wires on the yoke and it will looks nice! :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_39.jpg)
8)
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Finishing the low 'front kickplate' area...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_40.jpg)
...more white paint layers on the sides + painting in black the t-molding trench :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_41.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_42.jpg)
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Looking great! Keep up the good work.
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Here's the final result after 1 primer & 4 white paint layers + sanding ->
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_44.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_43.jpg)
'rusted screws' are becoming tasty mushrooms :P ;D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_45.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_46.jpg)
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Applying side art...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_47.jpg)
Oh yeah :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_48.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_49.jpg)
8)
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Nice :-*
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Stunning :spaceace: 8)
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What a beauty!!! Hope i get the chance to play this one in your arcade some day, my friend. :)
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Beautiful! I absolutely love the side art on this game, it's stunning :D
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:-*
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That is beautiful Bruno! wow!! :spaceace: :spaceace:
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Great work!! I love the sideart a lot :spaceace:
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Glad to see you all appreciate this cab... and yes... I must admit the artworks on that one are awesome! :-*
When checking the coin doors/box...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_50.jpg)
... I found a little bit of this history of this game ...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_51.jpg)
...It looks that this cabinet has been operated in North Carolina...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_52.jpg)
8)
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(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_51.jpg)
As i am in the middle of a repro for someone, can you tell me the dimentions of these please ?
Thanks Bruno !
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here it is 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_53.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_54.jpg)
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What about the control panel :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_55.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_56.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_57.jpg)
CPO is peeling off on the edges, rust on areas where the CPO are damaged.... mhhh.... :-\ ... it would makes sense to apply a new CPO but I would like to try something else first...
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Is there anything you can do besides changing the cpo?
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Hmm, refurbing buttons, bolts and joystick and clean the cpo, maybe it looks ok then?
If i were you, im not sure if i changed the cpo ( ok, that rust on the metal disturbs me a bit ^^ )
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Well, the idea here with this CP is to push a little further the border between 'used' and 'damaged'.
So let's see how this CPO will looks after removing all the parts who are (or about to) peeling off.
For removing the rust I'll use a dremel. Let's give a try to the left part first...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_58.jpg)
I'm using this product to protect the 'naked' metal against the rust. This is also a varnish, so it will also protect the cpo against additional 'peeling off'.
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_59.jpg)
Let's continue the process and clean the CPO (magic sponge)...
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here it is 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_53.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_54.jpg)
Many Thanks ! :spaceace: :spaceace:
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And here's the final result! No more work to do. Yeah, still some part badly used but that's what I like... repairing the broken stuff but keeping the used parts to preserve the soul & spirt! :) Enough blabla, please welcome my Circus Charlie 'authentic vintage' edition! :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_1.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_2.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_3.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_4.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_5.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_6.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_7.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_arcade_cabinet_8.jpg)
8)
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oh wow!!! when can i come to pick it up????? ;) :D ;P
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Really nice, I like that you left some parts original, with the marks of the last decades. :D
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Woow
lovely, it's so nice to see cab back to life
you did a great job on this one
well done Bruno
;) ;)
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goodjob, super !
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With a such beautiful artwork, this cabinet had to be displayed in a good spot in the game room :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_60.jpg)
...oh, and of course... RGB rulez! :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/circuscharlie/circus_charlie_wip_61.jpg)
:)