How do you save a cracking pinball playfield?

[toolguy]

Honestly, to me that is not bad. I would touch up any spots that bugged me and clear coat over it all myself. What do you have to lose?

If you go the overlay route, do not use contact cement. That will most likely give you bumps. Use 3M adhesive spray 77. It is strong as hell and you can roll the over lay afterwards to smooth.

 

[Zack5959]

Honestly, to me that is not bad. I would touch up any spots that bugged me and clear coat over it all myself. What do you avhe to lose?

If you go the overlay route, do not use contact cement. That will most likely give you bumps. Use 3M adhesive spray 77. It is strong as hell and you can roll the over lay afterwards to smooth.

Im going to have an overlay made regardless. If I dont use it ill frame it.
I guess I can start touching this thing up with paint, Im just not that good at blending the colors to match

 

[docfrankie]

i agreee it looks pretty good to me too.
just need to remove the mylar and use a magic eraser.
i see the bad areas now , yea what the heck try to touch them up first

but do understand that if you do go the overlay route you have to sand down the playfield and prep it the right way.

I have also heard that overlays can pick up or come unglued too and that will make the pinball move very diffrently.

this is why i didnt do the overlay for my evel kenivel pin.

actually if i were you and hell bent on doing this i would find a really trashed playfield and keep yours as a backup, shouldnt be too expensive like 20-30 dollars plus shipping.

 

[toolguy]

Im going to have an overlay made regardless. If I dont use it ill frame it.
I guess I can start touching this thing up with paint, Im just not that good at blending the colors to match

Sounds like a plan!

Color matching can be tough and time consuming for sure, but it is rewarding! When I do it, I use Micheal's Craft store for paint. There are loads of colors and for cheap because you will likely have to mix up a lot to match and then use very little for the touch up.

 

[metahugh]

thanks for the link but 600 bucks is not financially wise to sink into this game.

I can go pay 600 for a much better complete game, and part the rest out and make money.

Im running this pic through resolution enhancement software to see how crisp it can get. Again, I dont want the end product to end up in a museum, I just want it to look good and play good. Because everyone is telling me an overlay will not look good, Im gonna do my best to make it happen AND look good. I will admit failure if that happens, so its a win win for everyone

Well I'm rooting for you! Can't wait to see your progress.

You are right buying a new playfield isn't the best financial decision. If its a game you absolutely love and will keep forever then you can't get better than new. You won't get your $$ out of it if you sold though.

 

[Zack5959]

Well, I did some work on the playfield tonight and its a total wash.
Anywhere on the field...the remaining paint literally flakes right off with your fingernail.

So, I removed all the paint off the lower playfield. Upper is tomorrow.

I have some neat ideas as to what Im gonna do to save this pig..
Ill post pics as the magic happens.