Removing Mylar on a TZ - Pros and Cons

Michael Roma

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I am working on a TZ that I recently picked up. I have the playfield stripped and cleaned and am debating on whether or not to remove the playfield mylar.

It is in decent shape and I just polished it to a pretty decent shine. How much different is the play with and w/o mylar. Do I run the risk of damaging the art and insert text.

I am leaning towards keeping it on but am looking for a compelling reason to remove it while I have it all disassembled.

I have removed small sections of mylar from several games before but am just being extra cautious on this one.

- Mike

stripped_playfield.jpg
 
I don't think TZ normally has mylar...someone must have put that on post-factory. That being the case, it should come off easier than if it was done at the factory. Freeze method should take it off without damage if you do it right, since TZ's are clearcoated at the factory.
 
TZ has mylar by the slot kickout and the bumpers.

Go for it - remove it. 4 TZ laters, and most WMS games from that era (diamond plate) never an issue removing them, just go slow and be careful.

I dont like mylar on my PFs. Dont have anything to prove it changes the ball speed, but logic says the ball should roll differently on that surface, and in a home environment Mylar is not needed.

Only downside to removing it - is you will see faint outlines of the mylar after removing it - very hard to see but its there.



Freezespray method - fingernail under a corner, spray liberally underneath, slowly peel to remove (SLOW). After its up, plastic razor blade or Credit Card + Goo gone or rubbing alcohol up the adhesive residue.
 
"in a home environment Mylar is not needed."

Speak for yourselves but after seeing what happened to the original Shuttle playfields I'm gonna be mylaring that bitch right up the center....okay probably not mylar but the less adhesive vinyl for sure.

Had to be all the stupid ball drops from that ramp... :p

Maybe not needed on this game, lol...
 
if i was keeping it, i'd buy a new PF and put it in the closet

play the heck out of it and if i ever wanted to sell it, then install the new PF
 
I'd pull it. I would think that with a couple good coats of wax and an occasional cleaning/ coat of wax it will play better and hold up in a home environment. I pulled all the mylar on the Revenge From Mars I have and I'm happy with it. I did put 1" mylar dots where the balls drop from the ramps into the lanes. There were already small cracks there so I felt it needed protection and it doesn't effect play.

I was nervous about removal, but I used the freezespray method and it worked great. - Barry
 
"in a home environment Mylar is not needed."

Speak for yourselves but after seeing what happened to the original Shuttle playfields I'm gonna be mylaring that bitch right up the center....okay probably not mylar but the less adhesive vinyl for sure.

Had to be all the stupid ball drops from that ramp... :p

Maybe not needed on this game, lol...

Big big difference between clearcoated playfields (Diamond plate, post 91 pfs) and prior.

Prior - i might leave it on - but on a TZ not needed.
 
Pull it. Here is how mine came out:



I did the third magnet, I really need to finish my game.
 
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