I'd consider one.

You can include the SS version of Cleopatra (7,300 units produced) in your campaign because its playfield is identical to the EM version. It might be the only Gottlieb transitional title that didn’t have different playfields.

How many comitted people does he need to make a run? At least 10?

I am a huge fan of the EM Cleo and it does play extremely fast and accurate with a level surface.

But the SS doesn't get much love so not sure how much interest those owners would have.

How much does he charge for a playfield?

Did you sell yours or did you change your mind?

After owning it for over a decade I finally let the Cleo go to someone in West Virginia. Only EM left now is the Rockmaker's for a restoration. I'll play it for a few months then likely let it go too. I love EM's but just got the urge for newer style games and now have two Data East.

The playfield issue is a big one for EM's, reproductions are not as common. So what's a guy to do? Retsore it yourself if you can.

If not, you live with what you have as the only other option is having someone restore the playfield for you.

A new playfield is typically around $900-$1000.

A ball park for a retoration and clear coat is in the $1,200 range and the guy doing it is not getting rich by any means.

And if you want a playfield restored, to keep costs down, it would need to be stripped by the owner prior to shipment to the guy restoring it.

But then you have more money in the pin than you'll ever get back out of it. To the collectors with the extra money that's not a big deal. But for the average guy it does not make financial sense.

Am I making any sense or just rambling?

Makes sense to me. The investment has to be a personal one, since making money back restoring EMs is a losing proposition. One could repair, shop and flip, but that isn't the same as touch-ups, clear coat, a cabinet repaint and often a new backglass. That ends up being a fair amount of cash.

If you love the game enough, or love to tinker enough, it is worthwhile. I just finished working my way through a game that I knew I was selling and it was arduous. I just started working my way through a game that I know I am keeping and I am having a blast.

Cleopatra is a great game, so it is understandable that people would want to make the investment. My impression is that Wade has slowed or stopped his repro projects, so restore may be the best option for most.

Glad you saw this post.

But what if a person doesn’t care about getting the cabinet restored or repainted. Most of the EM cabs have survived fairly well. Bally and Williams had serious issues in certain years are the exceptions.

What would the average guy be with pay for a playfield restoration and clear coat?

There are two options. Very hard and long lasting auto clear that is more intensive. The other being Varathane that’s easier and faster for HUO intent? Two price points.

That's true. The Gottlieb cabs I've had have held up better than others.

There are a few variables for restore cost. Restore the art and 2PAC clear on a stripped playfield? In the $1.2k + shipping range depending on condition. Extra to rework damaged wood, glue inserts from beneath, strip and repopulate the backside as the owner desires. Unsure on a varathane approach. It looks like more work than 2PAC to me.

For clarity, Varathane only for EM titles. Auto clear is the proper choice for SS era and later due to higher ball velocity and airball impacts.

For Varathane the paint pad approach worked really well, far superior to spraying it with rattle can Varathane.

I'm going to test it out of a spray gun and see how that goes. I did four playfield restoration in 2 years, the last two went much faster as you understand the massive shrink back Varathane has. There was a video in the 4MBC restoration. The rattle cans leave a massive amount of orange peel and not worth the time.

For me, the biggest time suck is trying to match the existing playfield colors and then using a brush correct it. The results are ok but very time consuming and not as efficient as a scanner, air brush and Cameo as seen on your restorations A_Bord.

A scanner, Cameo and Varathane would likely be the least time consuming.

For new playfields, somebody has to produce new inserts, some of them haven't been available at PBR for years.
.

2PAC is tough as diamonds and CRYSTAL clear! Great for filling up to level the cupped inserts.

IMG_4088 (resized).JPG