Does pinball side art wear down around flipper buttons? Anything to prevent this?

Cader

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Just curious if this is where damage normally starts and if anything can be done to prevent it from happening.
 
Is that generally what pinball collectors do, I haven't noticed them before.

i should have mentioned I need it for flipper/magna save buttons, I hope they make one for that combo.
 
I think you will have to get mylar and make your own. I have never seen one with multi buttons. I have mylar on my Tron because it is a decal sideart.
 
I've seen a few guys that take off the buttons, try to touch up the area with paint and restore the surronding area then spray multiple beefed up layers of rattle can clear coat.
 
I've seen a few guys that take off the buttons, try to touch up the area with paint and restore the surronding area then spray multiple beefed up layers of rattle can clear coat.

so generally speaking that is where fading starts? Is it common to all tables?

Is this an issue in a home setting?

are most home enthusiasts protecting this area to prevent it?
 
It is hard to alleviate the fading around Flipper Buttons without some ugly protector especially when the Manufacturers went cheap on the Metal Side Rails that no longer encompass the buttons.

One thing that helps Big Time is to not let people play WEARING RINGS on their hands....
 
It is hard to alleviate the fading around Flipper Buttons without some ugly protector especially when the Manufacturers went cheap on the Metal Side Rails that no longer encompass the buttons.

One thing that helps Big Time is to not let people play WEARING RINGS on their hands....

I was surprised that no one has put out anything on thingverse for this, I wish I had the skills, would be nice to see it for regular flipper setup and flipper / magna save.
 
There are some Mylar and Metal ones out there similar to the ones linked above...
 
This is your answer. Specifically designed for your problem statement...and no adhesive. Works great, I have these on one of my pins now and am happy.
That would fit a flipper button but in my case I have the magna save too, I wrote the company and they were quick to reply that they don't have a protector that can do both at the same time.
 
Ah, Magna Save - must be a William's Black Knight.

Buy 2 for each side. Trim them so they fit.

I even have wear on the paint of my 1946 Chicago Coin SuperScore - that doesn't have flippers. It's where people put their hands to try to "finesse" the ball into where they want it to go.

How to do this. Measure the hole to hole distance.
Divide by 2.
Use a straight edge or shear and cut each of the overlays (for each side) by the divided distance. (Remember, cut one on the right side, and one on the left side).

Apply and enjoy.
 
Ah, Magna Save - must be a William's Black Knight.
An original BLACK KNIGHT shouldn't need any Button protection as it has nice WIDE Factory Side Rails..

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would you have any links to the products by any chance and would it be something that could fit both the flipper and magna save?
Unfortunately, none with a Magna Save Hole and the all the single holed ones seem to be out of stock. If you did find a metal one, you could alwas drill out a second hole if there is room?
 
I ended up finding it! Seems to be only one person selling these, found the following on eBay.

Normally I see these shield with a product description of Mylar, in this case it is made from 1mm PETG / Vivak, is that the same as Mylar?

 
I ended up finding it! Seems to be only one person selling these, found the following on eBay.

Normally I see these shield with a product description of Mylar, in this case it is made from 1mm PETG / Vivak, is that the same as Mylar?


This is different than mylar. Mylar will typically be like a thin plastic sheet with adhesive on one side. What you linked is PETG which is thicker (but 1mm is probably as thin as you can get it), but in that thickness still somewhat flexible.

If your game is in a home setting I would think it's not that big a deal. We have a Johnny Mnemonic and it looks fine after 9 years of home use. Granted, it's not played that much, but still. I see side art wear much more frequently on Stern machines, especially if they were routed.

If you don't have wear at your buttons now I don't personally thing it would be a future issue, but I can see wanting to protect it as well. These would be better than mylar to be because you can remove them easily if you don't like them.

Chris
 
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