Refurbishing a vintage arcade machine is a rewarding process that brings a piece of gaming history back to life. The most common and essential methods involve a systematic approach to address both external aesthetics and internal electronics.

The process almost always begins with a complete disassembly and a deep, thorough cleaning of every component, from the cabinet exterior to the internal wiring. Decades of dust, grime, and nicotine are carefully removed. For the cabinet itself, common restoration techniques include repairing any wood damage like chips or water swelling, sanding down the surface, and applying a fresh coat of paint or re-adhering original side art if it's salvageable.

A critical focus is often on the CRT monitor. This typically involves a safety-first capacitor discharge, followed by recapping—replacing old, bulging capacitors to restore a stable and bright picture. Adjusting the flyback transformer for proper focus and screen voltage is also standard practice.

The control panel sees heavy wear. Common refurbishment includes replacing worn-out joysticks with new, compatible models and swapping cracked or faded buttons. Worn-over graphics are often replaced with new custom-made overlays. Finally, the original game PCB is cleaned, and its edge connectors are carefully treated to ensure reliable electrical contact, completing the revival of these iconic machines.