How to install full arcade side-art vinyl - Mortal Kombat II Restore Part #10

[@AmazingArnoldVoice]

So beautiful to see this restored…I remember I was in 8th grade playing this one at 7eleven when it first came out. Learning all the moves and fatalities…switching from playing mortal kombat 1 to this was so much to take in because the roster increased with so many fighters. Shang Tsung was deadly once you mastered him

[@tootyuk]

MK2 is looking awesome John, I think you did a great job considering you did it on your own also.

[@jordantheproducer9284]

I see that nice Notre Dame sign back there... the UND campus is in my hometown. Nice work John

[@robbwoy]

i had my mk2 laminated decals custom made and picked them up today and I made sure he over printed them 1/2" all the way around and my decals are one solid rectangle pieces not pre-cut to the cabinet so I will have to trim the excess off myself. I also don't use a wet method and put the decals on with the machine upright starting at the top and working my way down in 2" increments like wrapping a car. my cabs come out pretty good.

[@sturkrazee288]

Sounds like a pretty good idea with the arcade tech support combined with the world tour graphics...with flames...and stuff. Cool!

[@benoit1335]

Monday is the best day of the week thanks to your videos!!!

[@orionas8481]

Nice song at 58 min!

[@xxbyron13xx]

That looks freaking great... Ide happily be satisfied with the art work

[@richmerrick574]

Great video John! Really enjoyed it. As far as t-shirts? I know I would love the classic John's Arcade Logo shirt. Never got the chance to get one in the past. Maybe a cool idea would be to date the shirt 2017 with all of your restore projects from the year listed on a "tour" list. Thanks and really looking forward to your epic long end of the year tour video. I keep rewatching your previous year ones, those are the absolute best! Take care, Rich.

[@NiGHTS1980]

Looking great. Coming together nicely.

[@delsarcade]

Rapid Tac works great on Rich's artwork. However, once you get to that Turtles artwork from Joe Szabo, you don't need Rapid Tac since it has bubble free vinyl with microscopic holes (dry method of applying). Something to keep in mind.

[@utubepunk]

DeLuSioNaL's Arcade Oh wow. Didn't know that was a thing. Wonder how it holds up long term.

[@delsarcade]

utubepunk Technology in printing had really advanced. Digital printing is no exception. Joe Szabo's does quality work that's pretty bulletproof. Can't wait to see how his artwork will look on John's TMNT cabinet.

[@michaelapplewhite4715]

Called Air Release

[@jim213srnec]

joes artwork is amazing and WAY easier to put on. I did my first cab in about 1 hr - an entire simpsons

[@chadtrips3203]

Another great upload as always John! However as you were talking about the next t-shirt all I could focus on was your bottle of water lol I kept thing to myself was "its gonna tip......nope.....its gonna tip......nope........."lol!

[@royroy7814]

You're the best man! Love your attention to authenticity. Personally I hate the hacked 6000 games bastardised systems out there.

[@Flanneryshanedward]

Art vinyl eposides are my favourite. Can't wait haha🤗

[@tonyalvarado9087]

John the MK2 is looking good love it man I will go with the John arcade tech support sounds good to me

[@ChezArcade]

Looked good man! For someone who doesn't do that daily you're doing good! Costs a little more but luster lam on all side art makes it look so much better and ease of install is SO MUCH BETTER! I'm about to have a few sideart install videos Coming up. One for Hollywood Heat Pinball. I vectorized the art for it ha

[@Riz2336]

Looking good man, your work is legit the machine will be pretty nice when it's finished.

[@retroforce6919]

John, the MK2 is looking good. Great job man 👍

[@DaveCurran]

"This is one of a kind, I made three of these."

[@MandoMike]

Great! It's looking good, to the vinyl people, get the correct spec measurements and bleed over on your stuff! ANY graphic design knows this... As far as the coin door, Get a "dent puller" aka "slide hammer" KZbin a video for it, it will pop open easy. Most auto body places sell it or maybe you know someone you can borrow one from. Thanks for the MKII continues.

[@Turnarcades]

Love the work you do John and it was great to see you at Arcade Club last month. That artwork application though; it looked like an absolute nightmare with that paper front coating, applying straight to wood, lack of bleed area etc. I would have quit there and then. Whenever I create or order artwork (especially full side, unbordered artwork), I always, always modify the art first to add a 2" bleed and continuation of colour or extended art to a full rectangular shape before I even order it. So many great artworks are spoiled by trying to fit a 'precise template' art onto a cab that is slightly different. I'd also never, ever apply to bare wood of any kind as it is porous, which soaks in and softens the surface of the wood, lessening the effect of adhesive and of course there's the horrible lumps and bumps. Whether using laminate or not, a good oil-based (gloss) paint applied first in thick coats and then sanded with fine grit paper will give a flat, sealed surface without the expense of laminate and will bond adhesive vinyl far, far better.

[@RalonsoF1]

FINALLY, John!!!! I have been waiting for tooo long for this!!! Thank you, Man!!! GREAT!!!!

[@ukxvc]

I'm all over this mate, off work today ;)

[@Chuck-RETROGAMECAVE]

I'm glad to see what happens if you skip the laminate. I used laminate on my Outrun cabaret. Now I'm glad I did. The raw particle bd is "ok" but its just so much better with the laminate.

[@Johnsarcade]

For sure. Laminate is the way to go. This looks fine but the laminate is way better. For this project, I was trying to be a little frugal. So, it's a trade off.

[@craiggilchrist4223]

right at the begining i was thinking just grab that bolt or can of rustolium and put it on the artwork to stop it rolling back up. lol I do like the way John works, so normal like the rest of us would be. Un polished raw footage without fancy editing, warts and all. Great vid John cant wait to see you fire that thing up. Id have to put a Sub Woofer and amp in there to beef up the bass. Have it on a separate volume control. Have you ever thought of or owned Pit Fighter John? Great classic, first game I heard swearing in. You think they would of made a device by now where you put your artwork round a sponge roller. Slide the edge of your artwork into a slot in the roller then roll your artwork round it. The roller could also have built in adjustable t Squares to square things off. Then you spray your Rapid Tac on the cabinet then just roll your artwork on. The sponge roller will give you something to push against so you can press the artwork down. Once the artwork is applied you could use the same roller to run over the artwork to push air bubbles out and excess liquid. Just thinking out loud guys, what do you think? I know John always gets nervous applying artwork and was just thinking of ways to make it easier and less daunting. Haa John only goes quiet when he is nervous or not entirely happy. Great job buddy it looks great. As for Ice Cold Beer i would use a crowbar but use some of that dense foam they use in packaging it quite thick and stiff but has some give. Put the end of the crowbar in the hole then put the foam on the right side of the edge of the cab and pull the crowbar to the right. The foam will protect your cab from damage whilst you try to pop it open. You may need to put foam round the T-mould on the corner too so you can really go for it. Or try a slide hammer somehow. For a T-shirt idea you gotta do one of the wobbly table, its almost part of Johns Arcade now, never try to fix it again lol. You could over emphasize the wobble and have the pop corn machine flying off and a graphic of you falling off the chair. The slogan would say, Table 1 John 0 in arcade font in your attempts at repair, or was it twice you tried repairing it? mmmm.

[@gnastyg7798]

John where did you get this sideart from??

[@wildernessgames]

Thats a hairy process man, looks great, goodstuff.

[@boostin4hp]

The artwork isn't to short. The original MK2 side art has black at the bottom. It's exactly the same as the original side art. No need for Rapid Tac either, it's air release vinyl. Also you don't just lay the whole side down at once and then squeegee.

[@chriswertman7471]

Use a slide hammer for the coin door. You can rent them from almost any auto part store.

[@DoItAfterSmoking]

John, Dude! I have an MKII cab right here. Original I have a gap of about a 1/4 inch at the bottom that is all black. Factory the logo never covered the side.. Love the videos. Big Inspiration for my collection.

[@andrewbutler9533]

Great job John! Very stressy sticking down vinyls! They got a bit lazy when producing that artwork I guess, they should have cloned in more bleed all round. Can't wait to see it finished - you need to add a 'Finish him!' Voice-over on your vid then. ;-)

[@MystiqEevee]

John I think a t shirt with the opening intro artwork would be cool with the John's arcade logo on the front and the donkey Kong and Mario pipe on the back

[@james42519]

are you sure about bleed? i would think they have it made to the size so they don't have to cut it.

[@krel]

Not gonna lie, I thought you were saying "rap-attack" this whole time. Lol. The side art looks great. Once it's in the basement, you won't even see the minor imperfections anyway. Great job as always!

[@utubepunk]

Krel Same here. Rap attack! Word.

[@LilyRoseTerraharuka]

I was thinking of the same thing. xD

[@emmettturner9452]

If you don't use the wet method on the second half of each side and wait for it to totally dry on the first, can't you stretch the vinyl a bit while installing to compensate for the bleed (or lack thereof)?

[@lionneko]

Ok watching for tips for Bucky

[@frankstrasser6108]

Looks nice ide be good with that the art looks nice

[@flightofapaullo72]

Hey John got a question for you. Do you still recommend that Rapid-tak for the side art? I'm about to order some side art soon for cab. Not sure if you remember me asking about my Soul Calibur II cab awhile back. Anyhow,I finally got to stripping the paint off of our and it's actually a MK II cab, so I'm totally stoked! Ordered the marquee and bezel already. I'll be buying the cpo and side art soon. Cheers from Cali! 🤙

[@Johnniemost05]

Long time viewer... 1st time posting... defiantly john arcade tech support shirt...

[@AlienInferno]

John, Have you ever had a problem with vinyl side art bubbling or peeling after it's installed? I did full side art on my mame cab. Dry method. And after a week or two it was full of bubbles throughout. Looked great when I first installed it. Looks like crap now. The only thing I can attribute this to is the slight orange peel I didn't sand off. The texture on your MK2 looks worse so idk.

[@acblunden2063]

I have no idea why you would want to align the bottom edge of the side art first. The important part is the top edge of the art. If there is any misalignment, it goes to the bottom where eyes won't gravitate to.

[@Johnsarcade]

I was trying to center the art in general, top to bottom. And, well... I screwed it up a little on the one side, it was too low and I had no bleed at the top. It all worked out in the end. It's FINE.

[@acblunden2063]

Also, 2 thick coats of rolled on oil-based primer to the wood substrate would have been good. Each side applied while the cab was tipped over allowing the primer to level itself out. You could have the paint store tint it black for you and that would have taken care of the edge pull-back of the art had there been any. The primer would have acted like a spot filler. Then when you sand the primer, use a long bar sander in a criss-cross motion like the automotive guys do to prevent depressions in the substrate allowing for the flattest possible surface. I know you decided not to use laminate. Probably as a result of the extra costs? But I could hear the disappointment in your voice when you saw the result of the MDF's imperfections showing through the art. And I am being critical because lots of people watch your channel and will take it as the gospel since they will be figuring out how to do this for the first time. Anyways, keep up the enthusiasm. Your videos are that of a curator, keeping the hobby alive.

[@lancairw867]

Jon I’m like you in that I want things perfect. But the older I get I have learned that a few weeks from now when it’s in the room you will forget all about it and move on to the next project. 👍🏻

[@M-NX]

I was a little bit off... how do you fixed the Journey??

[@gnastyg7798]

John, where did you get the black vinyl for the front??

[@Johnsarcade]

This old game

[@louieramos9740]

How about you visit TNT Amusement inc for your Bert Road Trip John.

[@VAX1970]

Laminate seems the only way to get perfect results, even new particle board has imperfections

[@KyoshoLP]

John, when are we going to get another Kill Screens album? I need more of that music in my life.

[@fusium]

Johns on the road its way past time @johnsarcade

[@memyopinionsche6610]

where do you order your side art? and about how much dose cost? some of them would make great posters.

[@emmettturner9452]

They could have added bleed from the scan by enlarging it ever so slightly and/or mirroring certain sides.

[@brandongamboa6315]

LOOKS GOOD JOHN

[@Chuck-RETROGAMECAVE]

Just started watching.. Who provided the artwork that's not much bleed? "ThisOldGame" made my OutRun Cabaret made it with black bleed about 2" all the way around. Folded over edge very nicely..

[@Johnsarcade]

I ordered the art from This Old Game. He worked with someone to print this using a new scan.

[@cocktailentertainment3506]

if you use vinyl with air regressed liner no more bubbles.

[@arcademm9148]

Hello John! Nice work. :) I prefer put T molding first then vinyl art. After that i cut using t molding line. Best regards!

[@Johnsarcade]

That seems odd to me. But... I can see it.

[@alanbrady9609]

John, Do a John’s Arcade shirt like an old 80’s skate shirt. Rework the Radical Board Artwork into a Shirt.

[@badass4226]

Hey John use a slide hammer on that door with 2 fingers through the hole. On the T shirt idea. How bout john's arcade on the front and a picture of your arcade room on the back.

[@byronivey2377]

tech support would be awesome with the johns arcade logo

[@SeithonJetter]

Man... if it were me I'd be pissed after all the hard work you put in :(

[@Johnsarcade]

Pissed about what?

[@SeithonJetter]

John's Arcade Game Reviews & Tech the side art not being quite big enough and such. You put in so much effort for this one big piece to be just off is argh frustrating .

[@808v1]

about he rap attack

[@drizzt186]

Mk2 is looking looking so good John. How bout a johns arcade sky skipper tshirt with with johns arcade on the front and the full but miniaturized side art on the back of the shirt?

[@Hustlinchadroma]

Ok great video laughed a ton and totally relate to all the hardship installing this but here's a thought...so I spend all this money and time for side art. We stress over the install imperfections which are barely noticeable. Then after all that work and money what do we do? We push the machine in between two others where we never see it anyways. I just install it do my best and realize this little stuff isn't going to matter in the end anyways lol

[@DamianReloaded]

T-Shirt idea: Make one fully stamped with the killscreens artwork and all the songs on the back. It could have the john's arcade logo somewhere too.

[@kcase601]

John, Can you help me out? I need a Mortal Kombat 2 sound board. I bought one with sound board but the sound board turned out to be a Mortal Kombat 1 sound board. Thanks.

[@Johnsarcade]

Kevin, I don't have one. Sorry. :( Aren't the sound boards the same? Just swap the roms?

[@kcase601]

No the boards are different from the research I have been doing. More Eproms on the Mortal Kombat 2 board from which I can tell. If anybody has one they want to sell please let me know. Thanks

[@kcase601]

Looks like the NBA Jam sound board and the Mortal Kombat 1 sound board look to be the same. Just Rom swap but not sure?

[@TJ_Actual1]

With some left on the bottom you should of raised the artwork up a bit. Still looks amazing though. I was lucky enough with my MKII that both sides looked like they came right out of the factory. No sun fade or scratches. I did have to replace my MK1 and three with repros and I know the struggle man

[@MaximRecoil]

Are you sure that clear laminate was supposed to peel off? Some sideart is laminated, and it's supposed to stay on there.

[@Johnsarcade]

+MaximRecoil clear laminate? I removed the premask. Not laminate

[@MaximRecoil]

There was clear laminate coming off along with the premask. You're pulling up a big section of the clear laminate in this screenshot - i.imgur.com/psjJgYk.jpg

[@Johnsarcade]

MaximRecoil No. It was the adhesive for the premask. It was like rubber cement.

[@MaximRecoil]

That's weird. I've never seen premask act like that before.

[@sewashburn0529]

Get that coin door open! I've been waiting for years for you to open that thing so we can find out what treasure lies within. Maybe do it as part of the year end video?

[@delsarcade]

sewashburn0529 You can always get a USB endoscopic camera with a self contained LED light to stick in the lock hole to peer inside.

[@LawmanArcade76]

Yeah, like DeLuSioNaL´s Arcade said, great idea!

[@sewashburn0529]

But where is the fun in that? John needs to do it like Geraldo.

[@shovelhedded]

Who did the art John? I know Joe Szabo has a set that he cleaned up that's apparently very good ("the best out there"?).

[@flightofapaullo72]

Great stuff John! Btw... the song at 58:30ish...Can I get the name of it and can I purchase it? Can't remember if it was on the CD you came out with that sold out. Thanks!

[@lancairw867]

sillysausage72 I just got his Kill Screens album on iTunes. I believe the song is off of that album.

[@theetick]

John how about a John's arcade t-shirt in a TRON type font and theme possibly.

[@venom709]

best monday ever!

[@jupreindeer]

Once in place, nobody will ever notice that the artwork doesn't quite cover the tiny fraction of an inch that is missing. That white line was the only exception.

[@memyopinionsche6610]

so if you could send a link. or put it in your description box I would be appreciated and I can go to the website.

[@justincase190]

John you must open that ice cold beer.

[@jupreindeer]

In there is the retirement fund. Nah...more like the mad money fund.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

John please make a t-shirt with your picture from the Firefox thumbnail or the Computer Space thumbnail.. Those pictures are hilarious!

[@ukxvc]

The Johns Arcade Tech Support tee would be fantastic John! Do it man, I love that Nintendo shirt you have. Will you sell it to me? Lol

[@jklein17]

Wrap yer tack?

[@onceagian]

why not just get one of those tube spy cameras and just see if its worth it to even try and open the coin door? the hole seems big enough.

[@colsaber]

Man you holding that squeegee upside down at the first bit around the 24 minute mark made me scream... lucky the that plastic side wasn't sharp....

[@DJTitandigitalrevolutionradio]

i am at this time Making My Own Custom Arcade Machines of games i love but you might never see in an arcade my first Machine will Be Diablo III Ultimate Evil Edition With The necromancer And Internet Hook ups So You Can Get All The Updates For The Game As They Are Released and i am not sure if i will do an arcade of mortal kombat X and street fighter V

[@DMETS519]

T-shirt idea: Your logo, John's Arcade Tech support, "boss level member".

[@shawnearnhart9979]

Why did the guy paint over artwork?

[@azaz...]

did good john

[@memyopinionsche6610]

and where can I order Marquis? what's the website address?

[@Johnsarcade]

The art came from www.thisoldgame.com/ - he worked with someone with a new scan for the set I used. The marquee is original.

[@memyopinionsche6610]

cool but can refurbished Marquis be ordered? I am not at all picky I would use them as wall displays. an don't mind if there not original.

[@Johnsarcade]

There are plenty of people printing these. Check ebay for tons of repros.

[@memyopinionsche6610]

OK thanks.

[@utubepunk]

Me my opinion Sche Marquee* ☺

[@sewashburn0529]

John, live stream the opening of the coin door on Twitch / KZbin / Facebook.

[@andrewbutler9533]

How about 'I'm a laser guy!' T-shirt?

[@darrinwright8280]

whats that solution called

[@SwedishEmpire1700]

Easy fix, top white line = black marker pen, lower stuff, dont care, looks good enough + it will chip and tear with usage and years. Btw, will you go with white t-molding or black? white would look radical/tubular in my eyes.

[@Okurka.]

Pays $250 for side art, has to use a Sharpie to color the edges.

[@RejectedManiac]

Someone had done that to my MK1 side art and over time it turned purple. It's only a temporary fix. Not a solution. It needs to be done right and tested on a cabinet before it's even sold.

[@TortureBot]

Luzur yuck! Why would he go with either when the original Mortal Kombat II uses red?

[@Chuck-RETROGAMECAVE]

John, I would love to see you install some art from Joe Zabo zabosarcades . He really has passion for his art.

[@Johnsarcade]

I have his TMNT art. We'll do that in the spring.

[@Andronicus87]

That song is YOUR BAND?! IT IS AWESOME! Effing awesome music! They should of had a bad guy and a good guy cabinet.. not some dude in a generic Raiden costume on both sides..... the good guy should of been Raiden one side Liu Kand the other, bad guy Shang Tsung and Baraka and then a LE edition With Kintaro and Shao Khan.

[@Johnsarcade]

Yes, the music in my vids is by me. :) Thanks

[@cristianbittencourt8681]

Muito linda essa art

[@flightofapaullo72]

Lol... nevermind... didn't realize it was in the description!

[@Johnsarcade]

+sillysausage72 yes. It's there. :)

[@flightofapaullo72]

John's Arcade Game Reviews & Tech thanks John

[@FrostyMikeGaming]

Nick from California, If you see this message then please reply. I'm looking to buy a dedicated MK2 arcade and after I lost my arcades due to a fire issue in my apartment, I haven't seen anybody in my area selling one so if you want to sell me one of yours then i'm interest in buying.

[@hectorortiz91]

Frosty-NM-Mike where in california are you?

[@FrostyMikeGaming]

I wish I was still in California and i'm not in LA anymore so I moved to the East Coast in Louisville Ky.

[@orangewhipster]

Love watching John use the wrong side of the squeegee again. Also, you should always try to "pull" a squeegee, not "push" it.

[@HexedPedestrian]

It's NOT called "Wrap Attack"? I thought that's what it was called because it was used to put on vinyl wraps. And that's what I heard every time you said it. Now I know. 😁

[@jklein17]

Vapid smack?

[@juntistik]

RAPATTACK!

[@cattdaddy1036]

Ice Cold Beer!

[@panchito241979]

Hey John why don't you fix that table it moves to much

[@Devalis]

That cap is in-correct.

[@Johnsarcade]

OLD SCHOOL VIEWER!

[@shafrirk]

i will be 100 years old when its over

[@Johnsarcade]

lol! WE ARE NEAR THE FINISH LINE. :)

[@CaptAwesumNo1Zone]

Lord Raiden