Thursday March 28, 2024

Playfield Touchup / Decaling - Williams Whirlwind

The "After Pictures" -- Paint Touchups Completed, Insert Decals Applied

Here are the final images, after the touchups were completed & mylar applied to the lower section of the machine.  Note that the right slingshot plastic is removed in these pictures.  There were a few playfield plastics that were cracked so the right slingshot plastic is one that is getting replaced.

Whirlwind - After Touchups
Picture: After Touchups & Mylar

Whirlwind - After Touchups
Picture: Lower playfield

Whirlwind - Lightning Bolts
Picture: The fine detail brush was used for many touch-ups, like the borders of the lightning bolts


Whirlwind - After


Summary
This was a neat, though time-intensive & somewhat money-intensive project.  I'm very happy with the results!  Whereas before I would have had a hard time playing this machine without staring at all the playfield wear the entire time, now my attention is fully on the gameplay.  Until I find a machine or playfield in a lot nicer shape, this one will do just fine.

Rough Breakdown of Time
10hr  Custom Whirlwind Decal
8hr    Acrylic Painting
2hr    Getting shape of mylar area, cutting and applying new mylar

Cost Breakdown
$16 Spinner Decals
$20 Compass Decal
$25 Insert Decals
$5 Mylar
$2-3 Matte Vinyl Paper (for custom Whirlwind text)
$65 Acrylic paint, brushes, paint container, etc (but will have these for other projects!)

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Comments:
Awesome Job!
Posted 06/30/13 9:51AM by Gamer1
Incredible job on this restoration, I learned alot of practical information that I will put to use on future machines. Keep flippin!
Thanks
Posted 01/29/13 12:44PM by Anonymous Techdoser
Thanks for sharing this! I have a Diner with very similar wear on the lower p/f left side from this exact same issue. Has mylar up top, but shoddily pulled from the bottom. Having to replace all my decals on the lower p/f including the big Diner and People, but luckily was able to find some reverse printed mylar coated decals for all that. I will be doing acrylic touch up though on that lower left side which has paint cracks similar to yours.
how to use the reset buttons
Posted 12/31/12 3:55AM by Anonymous Techdoser
Hi,

I have a Whirlwind and can not find anything on the internet to show me how to use the 3 buttons on the inside to get the game to start... I can go through the menu but cant do anything else..

Please email me at it65@live.com
Thanks
Acrylic paint
Posted 09/19/12 7:07AM by Anonymous Techdoser
Which acrylic paint colors did you use exactly? My whirlwind is in much the same condition as yours was
N1
Posted 03/03/12 5:50AM by Anonymous Techdoser
Wow this is the most damage Whirlwind ive seen indeed. Bit nice job man, a machine like this deserves this :) Im also repairing one but luckely my playfield was protected with mylars.