Space Invaders Playfield overlay

jbk

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I picked up a complete (minus the legs) space invaders wide body pin at a bargain basement price. The game is complete with a badly corroded mpu. I rebuilt the mpu and tuned, adjusted and replaced parts so it now works fine. My issue is the playfield, it is worn out from the flippers up to the bumpers. NO paint at all. I have searched for months for a new PF with no luck. I purchased a full PF overlay at a good price and plan on installing and clearcoating. MY question: I need to remove everything from the playfield in order to resurface before applying the overlay. I plan on slow removal of components with A LOT of pics to document where everything will go upon reassembly. I fear getting wiring mixed up causing a ton of work and poorly performing PF after reassembly. Has anyone done this and have any advice? I'm still looking for a good PF if anyone knows where one might be had.
 
I bought one of the SI overlays as well, but haven't gotten to it. From what I know, you'll need to strip it completely, level all inserts. If an insert is concave, it will need to be removed, sanded flat, and reglued, or brought a bit above the surface and reglued, so that sanding the entire playfield will make it flush. Think of it this way - the entire surface, including possible cupped inserts will need to be a super flat, even surface before the overlay is applied.

Some recommend the surface being cleared/sealed before, but you'd need to let it cure and sand it flat with fine (220?) paper. Wipe with naptha or a similar cleaner before applying the giant decal.

Some recommend spraying with windex so you can reposition it. Personally, I wouldn't, but google the different methods. I'm afraid it will have a negative affect on the overlay adhesive.

The shooter lane (bare wood) area will need to be cut out of the overlay, but so there's a seamless transition, so the seam would have to be in a flat area. Not sure how I'll handle that.

You should search through the google posts on rec.games.pinball - there are a ton of posts/threads about it, so a good place to research.

try this:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec....ll&q=playfield+overlay&qt_g=Search+this+group
 
I've looked at most of the posts. I too have had this overlay a while, giving myself time to think through clearly and seek all the advice possible. I know if this job is not done perfectly the machine will not play right. What good is a "pretty" machine that plays like a turd. Installing this overlay is a couple of months out as I have a few project ahead of this one; but it's close enough that it is in the front of my mind. What's the feeling on clearcoating the overlay after install, don't know about the ink stability?
 
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