mylar repair question...

learpilot2

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I have an area of mylar that lifted up on an edge by a pop bumper. About the sive of a silver dollar. It is in an area not well seen under a clear ramp. I don't want a big mylar project on a 1986 pinbot. Can I use an razor to trim off the flap flush with the playfield, and wax the newly exposed field, or an I asking for trouble. Just wondered if I should leave it alone. If I do trim it, how do I clean the glue reside from the removed mylar flap?

Thanks
 
Would be interested in this, I've got a corner of one of my mylars in front of a slingshot lifting as well. The best removal I've seen so far, is the upside-downcanned air to freeze it.

Kind of also curious what effect a heat gun would have on mylar?
 
trimmimng question..

when you trimmed the mylar corner off, did you need to clean the exposed glue residue off the playfield before you clearcoated? I may just trim the mylar, novus 2 the bare playfield spot, and then wax it.

If there was glue residue, how did you remove it?
 
Well usually in high traffic areas the paint is pulverized, so there isn't much chance of there being glue. ;)

Yes you want to remove the glue with goof off or something before continuing. I would definitely clear coat or re-mylar. Playfields that are factory mylared have a very poor durability on their own.
 
mylar removed, no problem

I was able to trim the mylar back. It is barely noticeable.

Only problem was the mylar covered the lens of a big red inset light lens. I used goof off to remove the glue from the playfield, however, it did not remove the glue from the inset lens. I think the goof off ate at the plastic lens insert. I just cannot get the lens clean. Any ideas on cleaning a plastic lens insert. It looks warped, bumpy, rough, and crazed with glue on it.
 
i use automotive reducer for all kinds of removal of gunk

have to be a little careful as it can damage some things(softer plastics) but for some applications i cant live without it for sure

maybe you can buy a new insert and save all the trouble
 
super glue has woked great in some applications for me

usually clearcoat a playfield when i find them in good enough shape

prefer that to mylar but to each his own
 
DON'T DO IT!! the best thing is to bite the big one and remove the entire mylar using the freeze method. Use a combo of goo-gone and paint thinner, depemding how thick it is in certain areas to remove the goo. Touch up any worne areas with model paint (you may have to mix to get the right colors) and re-coat. Of course this means a somewhat major project but if your in love with your machine it will be worth it.
 
DON'T DO IT!! the best thing is to bite the big one and remove the entire mylar using the freeze method. Use a combo of goo-gone and paint thinner, depemding how thick it is in certain areas to remove the goo. Touch up any worne areas with model paint (you may have to mix to get the right colors) and re-coat. Of course this means a somewhat major project but if your in love with your machine it will be worth it.

If you aren't in love with it though, this is just way overkill. If the mylar is 90%+ intact, it can be trimmed/polished. I've polished a mylar game to the point the mylar was as shiny as a clear coat.
 
I used goof off to remove the glue from the playfield, however, it did not remove the glue from the inset lens. I think the goof off ate at the plastic lens insert. I just cannot get the lens clean.

Don't use goof-off. It's basically paint remover. Use goo-gone. It's for glue. Goof off can seriously destroy the playfield. Hopefully your insert is salvageable. Do some google searching for examples. Easy to confuse the two.
 
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Still no input on a heat gun?

It will work but the freeze method is the more accepted method. I would go with a heat gun in an area where you know the paint underneath is solid. Otherwise use the freeze method. Either way you're going to have to deal with some glue. Likely more glue will be left behind with the freeze method.
 
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