how do you remove gottlieb side rails?

wikedauto2010

New member

Donor 2012
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
382
Reaction score
3
Location
fort lauderdale, Florida
hi my 90's Gladiators has painted siderails (not original but was that way when i got it). they look like shit. scratches and big chunks of paint missing. i want to remove them to either strip and repaint or have them polished or plated. How do you do it. they arent bend or damaged so i dont want to removing them. it looks like there on with nails? any ideas?
 
'90s Gottlieb had painted side rails. Yes they look crappy. Yes they are nailed on.

The nails can usually be pried out using small tools and extreme caution.

Pinball Resource has new nails.
 
1990s Gottlieb side rails are not painted. They are low grade stainless steel. Because they are low grade, they rust (which shouldn't happen to stainless steel, but again, they are low grade.) You can buy new side rails from Pinball Resource, but it's like $80/set.

I have painted them in the past using a hammertone black. But that's not original.

They use "twist nails" to secure them. Using a dremel with a cutting bit, you can slot the old nails, and then use a screw driver to get them out. Pinball Resource sells new twist nails, which you can just hammer into place.
 
Back
Top Bottom