Cleaning plastic ramps

Steverd

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My plastic ramps on my new World Cup Soccer have a 'raised' line down the middle. You can see in the photo just how dirty this machine was.

So I've cleaned the ramps with Novus 2 but there is still a raised black line the the center of the ramps. What do you think is the best step next?
Some sime sand paper just down the middle? I guess I don't want to scratch up the ramp, beside I don't want to flame treat it in risk of bending or warping the ramps.
Maybe just keep at it with Novus?

What causes this dirty balls? Scratched up balls?

Steve
 

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Holy dirty balls!

Scrubbling bubbles cleaner works great for cleaning ramps, but that looks pretty permanent to me. You'd probably need to flame polish that line out, it looks like a deep scratch...not sure all the Novus in the world would get rid of it...
 
So I've cleaned the ramps with Novus 2

Did you clean the whole ramp or just where the ball goes? I know that sounds like a stupid question but it still looks really dirty. If it's still that dirty after heavy cleaning with Novus I would consider buying new ramps.

In any case... I doubt you'll get that line out with Novus (obviously you already know that). Flame polishing might make it less visible but you're going to see it no matter what you do (IMO). If the ramp has been thoroughly cleaned and it still looks like the picture I don't know if you will gain a lot with flame polishing. Might be worth a try but it's really easy to make the situation worse.

Just my $.02. I'm not a ramp expert.
 
That was a BEFORE cleaning photo. Man the machine was the dirtiest pinball machine I have ever seen!!!

Here's a better photo of the line on the ramps, again it's a raised black line.

Thanks,
Steve
 

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That was a BEFORE cleaning photo. Man the machine was the dirtiest pinball machine I have ever seen!!!

Here's a better photo of the line on the ramps, again it's a raised black line.

Thanks,
Steve

Bahaha! I tried to be gentle but I was like "man that ramp looks like shit!!".

Looks much better now.

I didn't realize it was a raised line. probably rubber/dirt that was tracked around by the ball? In that case you should be able to get it off. The problem is that you might end up scratching the ramp in the process. Maybe try a solvent like alcohol? Just be careful with solvents around plastic. The worst case I can see would be fine steel wool or something but then you'd probably have to use something like rubbing compound to remove the scratches.

Hopefully someone can come up with some better solutions for you...
 
Flame polishing isn't as scary as it sounds.

Have a look at this video - it's one of the members from the Aussie Arcade forum:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=splGGFriUq8


....although I recommend removing the ramp from the machine first ;)

Awesome video, OK, how about a link to a small torch like the one
used in the video!!!!

Thanks,
Steve
 
That was a BEFORE cleaning photo. Man the machine was the dirtiest pinball machine I have ever seen!!!

Here's a better photo of the line on the ramps, again it's a raised black line.

Thanks,
Steve

Get a magic eraser and some windex.. :) that will remove the black line then flame polish it. If the line is real deep I've used real fine steel wool with Novus 2. Then clean with windex then flame polish the light scraches out.
 
The best way to clean the ramp is to completely remove it from the machine. Now take it over to the sink and spray it with Mean Green. Scrub the area with a toothbrush. Now rinse off with warm water and dry with soft towel.

If the line is still there, use a little lighter fluid on a rag to clean the area. Now go over it with Novus #2 polish.
 
Awesome video, OK, how about a link to a small torch like the one
used in the video!!!!

Thanks,
Steve

You'll be better off with a torch with a much wider flame.

This is probably obvious but I think it's worth pointing out that flame polishing won't remove the raised black line.
 
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