Popeye

It all began here... This was my first arcade purchase. Ever since I was young I always wanted my own arcade game. Although I have no recollection of playing Popeye in the arcade, I did play it a lot on the NES and Commodore 64. When I finished my enlistment in the Army and found a job, I decided it was time to get an arcade game.

The first one I picked up was an eBay auction. I ended up paying $260 for it and having to drive from VA to NJ. The game worked flawlessly and looked good with the sideart still on it. The CPO had your typical cigarette burns above the P1 and P2 buttons. I purchased a new one from Quarterarcade.com and the game was good to go.

I also purchased the Hi-Score kit from Mikesarcade.com for $45.

Well I played the heck out of it and I was limited in room so I decided it was time to let this one go. This sold in November 2006 to make room for a newly acquired Ms Pac-Man.

Popeye the Sailor Arrives Back at Port - June 2008

Well after I proclaimed an Arcade-Manifest Destiny and took over my finished basement from the wife I decided it was time to expand the collection. I missed my Popeye and found a Popeye cab (with a Sanyo EZ20) that was converted to a Trivia Hangup in MD for $75.

First thing I did was strip everything from the cab. I then followed with an orbital sander to the sides and front to prepare it for repainting. Along the way I filled in any minor holes with Elmer's Wood Filler. This stuff works great for those small imperfections and holes in the cabinet. After the sanding I masked off the front and used Rustoleum Flat Black Enamel for the inside of the cabinet. I usually do 2-3 coats of the flat black and then 1-2 coats of black glossy finish.

I used the paint codes found on another restoration thread (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=70324.0) and a foam roller to apply.

Custom Color Olympic/CCA (LOWES)

Interior/Alkyd/Semi-Gloss

Fasthide Ult 340 VOC

#3 78611 Gallon Received: 08/12/07 04:32:54 PM

102-4Y23 103-2Y19.5 116-9

Manual Dispense 08/12/07

113-40

Since the control panel was modfied beyond repair I purchased one from a local collector (DJ DNS - KLOV). I was able to find an excellent condition CPO on eBay and I already had a marquee and bezel from my previous Popeye. A working PCB was won for $38 shipped off eBay. I ordered a new Nintendo harness from Bob Roberts (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/) and a PCB cage from a KLOV member (Phetishboy - KLOV). The switching power supply was replaced with a PP-900A from TNT Amusements (http://www.tntamusements.com/).

When powered on the monitor had a white wash on it. One cap kit and an hour later I went from this...

and after some adjustments, to this!

I ordered another Popeye Hi-Score Save Kit and some new 5/8" white t-molding (www.t-molding.com) and the game looks good as new.