Shine Job on my 7800

[SlowCoder]

I just got my first 7800 console. Needs a bit of sprucing up work. The console works beautifully, but the aluminum on the top is in bad shape. Lots of pretty deep scratches and webs of little ones.

 

Some of the beginning work:

 

After a bit of buffing, I've managed to diappear most of the little scratches, and the big scratches have been decreased.

 

We're getting there. I can almost use it as a mirror (like a lime-encrusted shower mirror):

 

I'll be trying to buff and polish more over the next few days. My goal here is a chrome-like finish. I don't think I could return it to its original brushed metal look without screwing it up.

 

FYI, for those wondering; no, I don't do things like this unless I can't see another alternative to bringing a unit back cosmetically. If I could, I'd leave the unit original.

Edited June 14, 2011 by SlowCoder

[Atari Joe]

In 1998 I got a 7800 it was painted and was one of the first mod systems I had ever seen. I didnt like it that way so I gave it a real shine job. I polished the plastic so hard it lost the texture and was squeaky shiny black plastic and then also I posted it to atari 7800.com or whatever we were doing back then in an article and it looked real cool. You should try it! :thumbsup:

[SlowCoder]

In 1998 I got a 7800 it was painted and was one of the first mod systems I had ever seen. I didnt like it that way so I gave it a real shine job. I polished the plastic so hard it lost the texture and was squeaky shiny black plastic and then also I posted it to atari 7800.com or whatever we were doing back then in an article and it looked real cool. You should try it! :thumbsup:

 

Pics? Still have it?

[the.golden.ax]

Do you enjoy polishing your console?

 

AX

[Cebus Capucinis]

Do you enjoy polishing your console?

 

AX

 

Or your cans of CORN?

[littleman jack]

Shine on, you crazy 7800.

[SlowCoder]

Ok. Now for the (pretty much) done unit. I believe I've buffed it to the point I can buff no more without spending more money.

 

 

Honestly, the damn camera accentuates the scratches that are left on the metal. In person the system is closer to a mirror appearance. I'm pretty happy with the overall outcome. I may eventually hit it with some aluminum polish.

[Underball]

If you want the original brushed metal look to be clean and pristine, why not just order one from Best?

[SlowCoder]

If you want the original brushed metal look to be clean and pristine, why not just order one from Best?

I could do that.

 

As anal as I am about he appearance of my stuff, I also don't like to just toss and forget something just because it doesn't look perfect. I'm willing, and actually interested in, honing skills for myself when I have the opportunity, and fixing the thing I already have. I also feel it reduces waste to some amount. And I have fun with it.