The Problem The center plastic on the Gottlieb Big Shot is notorious for breaking due to airball impacts. Original replacements are incredibly hard to find (Unobtanium), and leaving the game without it ruins the aesthetic.
The Solution Since no new old stock (NOS) parts were available, I decided to manufacture a custom reproduction in-house to restore the game’s look. It’s not a factory part, but it brings the machine back to life.
The Process
- Scanning & Digital Restoration: I took the shattered fragments of the original plastic and scanned them at high resolution. Using Photoshop, I digitally repaired the cracks, touched up the faded colors, and reconstructed the missing areas using reference photos from the web.
- Color Matching: I ran several print tests to ensure the colors matched the rest of the playfield as closely as possible.
- Printing: The final design was printed on Clear Vinyl Paper using a mirrored image technique.
- Fabrication: I mounted the print onto a durable piece of PETG plastic. Since printers don’t print white ink, I applied a white sticky vinyl backing to make the colors pop and provide the correct opacity.
- Shaping: The plastic was hand-cut with a saw, and the edges were smoothed and polished using a Dremel with a sanding tip. Finally, I drilled the mounting holes.
The Result A solid, custom-made replacement that looks great and protects the game mechanism. Check out the Before & After photos below.
If you have a broken plastic and replacements are nowhere to be found, I can help. I offer custom reproduction services to recreate missing or broken artwork and shield your game mechanics. It’s the best way to save a classic machine when original parts aren’t an option.