A vintage penny arcade machine restoration project. Documenting the journey from damaged cabinet to fully restored steampunk showpiece, including circuit board integration and custom refinishing.
Acquired the vintage penny arcade cabinet. Documenting the original condition and damage from all angles before beginning restoration work.
The original oak veneer on the side panel had worn through in several areas, exposing the particle board underneath. I traced the panel outline onto new oak veneer, cut it to size with a jigsaw, and adhered it using Liquid Nails specifically formulated for wood, paneling and veneer — chosen to prevent bleed-through. The new panel is now installed and ready for wood putty and extensive sanding to blend with the original finish.
The wood putty fills these voids and will sand smooth once cured, creating an even surface for finishing. This step is tedious but critical—any imperfections now will telegraph through paint or stain later.
The bottom of the machine had serious damage and needed to be replaced. I also needed to remove the graphic as I plan to replace it with an updated, frosted acrylic display.
The original graphics were faded and damaged in areas, so I needed to remove them to restore the cabinet. I imported a photo into Pixelmator Pro to adjust the colors and repair the damaged spots. After creating a clear, fresh image, I used it for the new, upgraded frosted acrylic display.
