Opinions needed on insert decals (Taxi)

Shavenyak

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Alot of the decals are worn and looking bad. What's the best way to go about replacing these? I've found the (expensive) decals on e-bay.

I looked on RGP and people are talking about removing each insert, sanding and then putting them back in the playfield with the new decals. That sounds like a nightmare. Over the weekend I used the hairdryer method to lower some of them that were rising. That was bad enough. It took a good while and ALOT of pressure to get them lowered and in the end they aren't 100% the way I'd like them to be. Frankly, I think I'd have a hardtime getting them out. Any suggestions out there?

After applying them, do you recommend any type of protection to go over them? Mylar, perhaps? I don't plan on clearcoating the playfield. Thanks!
 
My suggestion, and it is only my preference: DO NOT get into this unless you are prepared to strip the field, sand, replace the decals and clearcoat. Even then, some parts of the field probably have discolored over the years and won't match the new decals. My recommendation is to live with it and enjoy the pin. They will do Taxi PF's eventually and you can replace the whole thing if it is something you feel like tackling.

Robert
 
Alot of the decals are worn and looking bad. What's the best way to go about replacing these? I've found the (expensive) decals on e-bay.

I looked on RGP and people are talking about removing each insert, sanding and then putting them back in the playfield with the new decals. That sounds like a nightmare. Over the weekend I used the hairdryer method to lower some of them that were rising. That was bad enough. It took a good while and ALOT of pressure to get them lowered and in the end they aren't 100% the way I'd like them to be. Frankly, I think I'd have a hardtime getting them out. Any suggestions out there?

After applying them, do you recommend any type of protection to go over them? Mylar, perhaps? I don't plan on clearcoating the playfield. Thanks!

I agree with the comment above. It sounds like you have no interest in doing the work required.
 
I agree with the comment above. It sounds like you have no interest in doing the work required.

Well, I'm not certain I could even get them out. Based on my experience with the few that were rising, I can see spending a couple hours just to get one insert out of the playfield. Most of the decals are clear except for the words. Can you think of anything I'd want to consider if I tried to remove the old ones without removing the insert itself?
 
Well, I'm not certain I could even get them out. Based on my experience with the few that were rising, I can see spending a couple hours just to get one insert out of the playfield. Most of the decals are clear except for the words. Can you think of anything I'd want to consider if I tried to remove the old ones without removing the insert itself?

I typed out a huge reply but then I decided I'll need to look at the actual playfield before I can give any meaningful advice.
 
I typed out a huge reply but then I decided I'll need to look at the actual playfield before I can give any meaningful advice.

I'll take some pictures this weekend and post them. Overall the playfield is in good shape. It's just the decals over the inserts that are really bad.
 
I'll take some pictures this weekend and post them. Overall the playfield is in good shape. It's just the decals over the inserts that are really bad.

Just an FYI it's not decals over the inserts that is screened ink. You replace them with decals because you can't re-screen the entire playfield. :)

New playfields are on the horizon, if you love the game you could wait for one.
 
Just an FYI it's not decals over the inserts that is screened ink. You replace them with decals because you can't re-screen the entire playfield. :)

New playfields are on the horizon, if you love the game you could wait for one.

Hmmm...

They certainly look like decals. They have the jagged edges, kind of flaking, around the perimeter.

A new playfield would be cool but after doing a swap on my High Speed I don't know if I want another project like that. I did that swap over 4 years ago and still don't have the machine at 100%. I HAD a decent machine that worked 100%. Now I have a GREAT looking machine that works 90%. That 10% has kicked my tale for awhile now. Granted, it's been in the garage and I haven't worked on it in a year but it's still depressing.
 
Hmmm...

They certainly look like decals. They have the jagged edges, kind of flaking, around the perimeter.

That's because over the years the playfield has expanded and contracted causing edges on the inserts. Since wood and plastic have different rates of expansion and contraction they don't move together. Common problem with all pinballs.
 
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