SMC Discussion Areas

Just wanted to say 'Hi'.
I'm a new member with my first machine - a cavalier CSS-64FS.
My avatar is a picture of the machine when I got it. I'll update it when it's restored.
I live in Exton, PA and I usually work on video games and EM pinball machines. I've always wanted a soda machine, and picked this one up at the Allentown pinball show this past May.
I've already learned a lot from reading the posts here, but do have one (only one?) question.
With video games, when I've done a restoration I always strive to make everything look exactly how it came from the factory, but reading some of the restoration posts here it seems like a lot of people either paint or powder coat the insides. It looks like my liner was originally galvanized steel, but it is looking a little rough. I guess my question is am I better off painting or powder coating the insides, or is just giving it a good cleaning the way to go.

Sorry about the long winded first post, but just wanted to get some opinions and ideas.

Thanks
Don

Hey Don, Welcome to the Club!  All membership fees can be paid directly to my personal account  :biggrin:  8)  :drinking:

I'd say how you finish the interior is a call of what you're planning to do with the machine.  Powdercoating is mostly reserved for A+ restorations that are looking for big bucks on resale value.  The overall value of the machine needs to be taken into account if you're going to do that, and a square top machine just isn't going to pull that kind of value currently (though I wish the would I'd be doing OK!).  Hammertone paint does a great job of making the interior of the machine look updated and covers up any imperfections.

Welcome Don

Welcome,

I agree with tkaz, the machine you're putting money into is a big part of the decision if its not a first class machine or sentimental family piece. Would you do all of that work and spend all of that money on a common arcade game if it's not a popular game? If you still personally like it, you might.

If not, it depends on how bad it is. A lot of machines will clean up and look find original...... if you like it that way. If its rusty, you may have a hard time getting it powder coated.

If its for you then you have multiple options and its just a taste/preference thing.

welcome! Great club/site

Thanks for the input guys.
This will be a keeper for me - want to put it in my game room.
The inside doesn't seem too bad. I'll probably give it a good cleaning first and see how it looks. If anything I would probably go with the hammered paint rather than powder coating.

welcome don nice machine congrats it never stops at one

Welcome to the board, a good cleaning is first step. Hot water and dawn soap is a good start. Post pic's if you can
Creighton
 

That's what I'm afraid of.  :laugh:

Welcome,
Be carfeful of putting your machine in you garage. I put my first one there and it must have invited friends over because I now have three. They sneak in or somthing.

Welcome Don,
 So you work on EM pinball machine, have you ever worked on EM puck bowlers? I'm asking because I got an issue with mine that I've been trying to resolve.

Ray

Ray,

I do have a United 'Supreme' puck bowler I had to do some work on when I got it.
Be glad to help you with yours if I can.

Don