Hi! A typical arcade video game is loaded with external plastics - the header marquee, the monitor bezel, the control panel overlay, the control panel buttons and controls, the coin door money signs, the T-molding, and the stick-on sides and front panel art.
All of this plastic material really enhances the game's appearance. But, all of that material is soft and easily scratched and soiled. So, it usually is not too long before the game's appearance begins to suffer.
Here are some tips for helping a game's plastics to look like new:
1. Marquee. Use the Novus plastic polishing compounds to keep the marquee looking its best. If the marquee is badly scratched, spray on a surface coat of Krylon triple-thick clear gloss acrylic.
2. Bezel. Again, Novus is your best bet for maintaining a plastic bezel. And, be sure to use the Novus cleaning spray on the bezel's inside surface to reduce dust accumulation caused by the monitor.
3. Control Panel Overlay. Cleaning and maintaining a CPO can be a real chore. I use professional grade Windex. It is strong enough to cut the grime, and does not leave a residue.
A Scotch-Brite medium grit cleaning pad may also be used for the deep cleaning, just be sure to avoid any painted surfaces. You can add a new looking shine with a light surface coat of Krylon clear gloss or semi-gloss acrylic spray.
4. Buttons and Money Signs. The best results are achieved by removing and disassembling the buttons and signs. Use Novus products for cleaning and polishing.
5. T-molding. Try polishing with Novus. If that does not work, try a light coat of Krylon clear gloss or semi-gloss acrylic. If that does not work, just replace it.
6. Stick-On Art. You have to be careful when cleaning the game's panel art. You could remove some of the graphics. So, test an out-of-sight spot first.
I have found that naphtha is safe for removing gummy stuff. And, Professional Windex is safe for everything else. A light finish coat of Krylon clear gloss or semi-gloss acrylic will restore the shine, and protect the graphics.
For all the above cleaning, use soft clean terry cloth cotton towels. They are absorbent, and mainly, they won't scratch plastic.
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