Mills Vest Pocket - my reel strip replacement attempt!

[shortrackskater]

I ordered two different sets of VP reel strips, years ago. I FINALLY got around to replacing them. One set had a yellow tint and needed adhesive. The other was more white and the reel strips were self adhesive. I opted for those. Removing the old strips wasn't too bad. I used a razor blade and scraped off most of the old adhesive. It's amazing, though, how much I could keep removing. Finally I used some light sandpaper and got the rest off.
I started at reel #1. Before removing the old strip, I marked out where the cherry was just below it. I carefully cut the excess off the first strip, tucked it in the notch and just wrapped it around and did the same for the other two, THINKING I had them lined up.
They looked great - however, when I cycled the machine... they were OFF! Ugh! I think my problem is that I should have released the fan right after I put on the first reel strip. Instead I had just looked at the notch in each reel and then applied the other strips.
So I carefully removed the other two strips and moved them down a little. Then the first one looked off compared to the other two! I removed that one and lined it up with the other two, but not before allowing the machine to complete the cycle. Even though the reels are no longer tucked in the notch, they look decent. I used a heat gun (carefully) in hopes that heating the adhesive will endure better bonding.
If they don't hold, though - at least I'll know where I screwed up and the next set will be better. And I'll have another one to do soon anyway.
I don't even know if self adhesive is "better" or not? I ordered both of those sets quite some time ago.
Before shot, not lined up! And after shot... better.

[Amechanic]

I opt for original if at all possible. I would think the yellow tint would give that effect? Can you take a pic of the yellow strip next to the new white ones? Even being slightly off center give that old age look too. Most reel strips where not perfect.

[shortrackskater]

I thought about that too. My old ones were so dark you had to shine a light to see them, so that's why I went for the white ones.
Here's a shot of the other reel strips. The camera doens't show the yellow tint as well as my eye though.

[Amechanic]

I can see a difference but if you opened the game and put them side by side you’d really see it.

[shortrackskater]

Here...
Well shit... they do look a little better than the ones I put on. Plus the width of those aren't even either! I noticed that last night.
Guess I need to get some adhesive now.

[Amechanic]

I like those better.