We have a
very detailed system that has evolved into a streamlined
process used on all games. Each game receives the exact same
level of craftsmanship regardless of it’s title, popularity
or value. At HighEnd Pins we have only one standard -
high quality for all clients.
Here are the
highlights of that process:
Evaluation
Once the game arrives and is put into rotation the first
thing that is done is to fully evaluate it. Some things like
cabinet fade or playfield where are very obvious but other
issues like mechanical problems, hacks, missing small parts
and the like are very hard to spot at a glance. We will do
our best to note everything we can during the initial
evaluation but once the game goes into teardown there may be
other discoveries.
Teardown
Once the game has been evaluated it goes into teardown. In
teardown the games are completely disassembled. Every single
part comes off the playfield top and bottom as well as the
cabinet inside and out. (even the T-nuts) Nothing is left
attached. All parts are separated into various categories
and place on a large roll around rack that is used to keep
everything in order and easily accessible.
Cleaning/Mechanics
The
assemblies themselves are then taken completely apart. From
that point on each piece of metal, plastic and wood is
painted, refinished cleaned, polished etc. accordingly.
All metal
parts (brackets, screws etc.) are put into various tumblers
where there are polished for 3 to 4 days straight. Those
assemblies are then rebuilt and any worn parts replaced
during the process to ensure top mechanical reliability and
performance.
Next in line
is to completely clean all wiring harnesses, coils,
connectors and boards. During this process any previously
hacked repairs or obvious problems are taken care of. All
lamps and flashers are replaced as well. This is done on
both sets of wiring and assemblies cabinet and playfield. All ramps and
plastics are completely disassembled, thoroughly washed and
lightly flame polished to remove all scratches. The ball
guides and other stainless parts are cleaned, re-grained and
polished. No part goes
untouched - not even the vent screen in the back of the
head. Truly everything is cleaned polished or painted.
Playfield
The
playfields are sanded clean on the backside first.
Then they are repaired,
touched up as needed then clearcoated.
This can be very tedious
and time consuming.
The results are amazing
and future wear will no longer be a concern.
Cabinet
The cabinets
are all done the same way in regards to complete teardown
and cleaning.
All cabinet floors are sanded cleaned and then
refinished inside.
We refinish all the bolts and brackets as
well.
The rest of the process really depends on what is
available or realistic.
Decals
Cabinets that
need decals (subject to availability) are sanded down to the
wood or primer coat as needed. They are then repaired. All
nicks, scratches, divots, dents, etc. are taken care of.
After that they are completely sealed and primed and must
set for a couple of days to fully cure.
Once cured, they are
sanded slick and completely refinished in their base color.
At that point they must set another couple of days. During
this curing process new ground braid is installed as well as
any internal parts of the cabinet (transformer, boards etc).
After the paint is fully cured it is lightly sanded to
remove any imperfections, then the new decals are applied.
They must also set a couple of days to fully adhere prior to
finishing them out (trimming, seaming and edging.)
Repaints
For some
cabinets it is possible to repaint them completely or in
sections.
This really depends on too many factors to list
but if it is possible on a particular game then it is a
service we offer.
The process is very simple in that all
repairs are made to the cabinet and it is then masked and
refinished as needed.
Refresh/touch ups
Cabinets in
good shape normally require minor touch ups and a little
refreshing. Those cabinets would be torn down as described
in the previous text and refinished inside. All the little
nicks and/or scuff would be color matched and touched up.
Rebuild
After all
these steps the game is now ready for rebuild. During the
process all parts are fine tuned as they go on.
All parts
are put on neatly and the wiring is run very tight and
clean.
We take as much pride in the underside as we do the
topside.
Testing
Once fully
assembled the games are play tested and run through a
factory burn in.
At this point all the final tweaks are made
until it plays 100% all the way around. We want to make sure
the games play as well as they look. It is really the most
important part of this after all!
Packing
All games
that require shipping must be fully crated.
Once your game
is ready to go it then gets blanketed and shrink-wrapped
prior to crating. Once crated, it is scheduled for pick up
by the carrier and the process is complete.