Ep 6. Knockout

In American Restoration season 1 episode 6 titled "Knockout," viewers are taken into the world of classic boxing collectibles as Rick and his team at Rick's Restorations work on restoring a rare 1930s pinball machine called "Knockout."

The episode begins with Rick receiving a call from a client who has found the vintage pinball machine in his garage. The client, who is a boxing enthusiast, explains that the machine was once used in a local arcade and features a unique boxing theme. Rick agrees to take on the restoration project, and the team gets to work.

As they begin dismantling the machine, they discover that it's in pretty rough shape. The paint is chipped and faded, the wood is cracked, and many of the mechanical parts are missing or broken. They also find evidence of extensive water damage, which means they'll need to work quickly to prevent further deterioration.

The team begins by assessing the damage and creating a plan of action. They decide to start with the mechanical components, which include the score reels, flippers, bumpers, and other moving parts. They carefully disassemble each piece, clean and repair them, and then reinstall them into the machine.

Next, they move on to the cabinet and playfield. They strip the old, cracked paint and wood, and then rebuild and refinish the surfaces to bring them back to their original state. They also add new custom artwork to enhance the boxing theme, including images of famous boxers and boxing gloves.

Throughout the restoration process, Rick and his team encounter several challenges, including missing parts, tricky wiring, and stubborn, rusty nuts and bolts. But they persevere and work together to find creative solutions to each problem they encounter.

As the restoration nears completion, Rick and the client are both excited to see the finished product. They sit down to play a game of "Knockout," and both are impressed by the level of detail and the authenticity of the restoration. The client is especially pleased, as the machine now holds a special place in his heart as a tribute to his passion for boxing.

Overall, "Knockout" is a fascinating episode for fans of boxing and classic pinball machines. It's intriguing to see the amount of work and attention to detail that goes into restoring a vintage, one-of-a-kind piece like this, and viewers will undoubtedly be impressed by the final result.