Tron & Tron LE pinball owners: Are you having this problem?

Grantman

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Tron & Tron LE pinball owners: Are you having this problem?

Hey everybody,

After about 190 enjoyable games of playing my Tron LE pinball machine, I noticed a large amount of dimples/indentations on the playfield, especially near the Recognizer. I already emailed my distributor, who said it was normal, and he also sent it to Stern customer service, who also said it was normal. Based on feedback I've received on RGP, I don't believe this is supposed to happen. I know there are over 30 Tron LE owners here on KLOV (Tron Pro playfield is very similar so you guys can chime in also, and also other Stern pinball owners) so I'd like to find out if others are having the same problem in order to determine if this is actually "normal" or not. BTW, this is LE game #194 and playfield #206 (yes, they don't necessarily match from the factory).

This dimpling/indenting is happening in several high traffic areas, even where the ball is not prone to bouncing (like the right inlane areas). It is most dramatic in front of the 3-bank target near the Recognizer, which obviously has a lot of action in front of it. Take a look at these photos and let me know if you see anything similar on your games (yes, the photos have glare because this is the only way the indentations would show up on a photo). It would be great if you could share a photo of that part of the playfield (especially if you are *not* having the same problem) and let me know how many games have been played so far.

Thanks for your help! I'm sure many people will be curious about the outcome of this. This is my first NIB pinball machine and I hope after spending this kind of money on a premium game that Stern would stand behind their product (if this is indeed an unusual problem).
 

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Hmmm, now taking a closer look on a real computer screen not my iphone, the dimples look like the clear didn't quite set and as for the insert, the clear is WAAAAY too thin. You should contact STERN and or the distributor and have them send a new game, yes a NEW GAME, because they will try to send you a new playfield but thats a TON of work to swap, like 20-30 hours in some cases.
 
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Is it noticeable like that in normal lighting?

It depends what you mean by normal lighting. I usually have the overhead lights off when I play so there is less glare off the glass. If I catch a reflection of the backglass in the playfield near that spot, then yes, I can see the dimples.
 
Yes, it's normal. The clear from the factory (Stern) is fairly thin. The only way to avoid it or at least prevent it somewhat is to pull the playfield before even playing a game, removing everything, lay down a coat of car clearcoat then reassemble. Not worth it.

Well, if you pay $6k for a brand new "premium" pinball machine, wouldn't you expect more than just a thin coat of clear that looks weathered after a week of use?
 
Sorry, in no way is that "normal".

It even looks as if the inserts are not flush, which in turn, would cause your issue.
You're correct. $6k for a game, it should not look like that after 200 plays.

Was it waxed in the beginning? I know it is said to wait 30-60 days after a clearcoat, but this may have been prevented.

If the clearcoat is so thin, why is your machine the only one that it is happening to?

Good luck, doesn't sound like Stern is backing this one up...
 
Supposedly, Tron LE has extra clear on it - i cannot verify that, its just something you hear. I have an LE now, and it could be me, but the PF looks a whole lot better than my IM did when i got that last year. Shinier finish and less imperfection, most likely the result of the extra clear hiding all of that. Again, that could be wishful thinking. But the PF finish looks great.

In anycase, I have owned 4 - 5 Home use only Sterns now. After 800 + plays on these other machines (SM, IM, TSPP, LOTR, BDK, some others i cant remember), the playfields didn't look anything close to that. Looking at those pics makes me cringe.

It was posted on RGP too - someone suggested imperfections in the clear - taking a closer look, it seems the clear imploded on itself, maybe these dimples are not ball impact related. Thats one speculation. Raised inserts so early in a PF life is just not acceptable (forget the clear issue - raised inserts so new is just wrong - unless you are operating the game out of a container!).

Kracker suggested waxing it too early - i would be shocked if that caused what i am seeing. I have waxed newly cleared pins (not knowing the advice not to) and never has this kind of issue.

Whatever it is, I dont think its normal.

Suggestion - Do you have another Stern PF to snap close ups on to compare? This may help your case to prove to Stern that something is not right with what you have. Heck, that exercise may prove me wrong and show other PFs suffer the same, we just werent looking close enough? I would do the pics of mine for you, but i think the camera quality needs to be the same / it needs to come from the same camera to be a true comparison.
 
In no way is that normal dude and I don't even own a Tron pin!

Unlevel inserts and major dimpling like that would have me crawling someones ass right now.
 
From the posts I've read on RGP dimpling is a cause of the wood..not the clear. However it would make sense that if the clear isn't fully cured..it would be softer.



I got about 1200 plays on my FGY that I bought NIB and it looks nothing like yours. I do have a few dimples...but not like that Tron PF

ETA: Is there a spot you can get to on the PF (like under a sling)..I'd be interested in seeing if you can 'dent' the clear with like a fingernail.. Those almost look like Fish Eyes
 
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I took pictures of my Stern Spiderman for comparison:

http://gallery.metahugh.com/main.php?g2_itemId=28339

Some amount of dimpling is perfectly normal. My Spiderman looks much better by comparison. It was a routed game and has thousands of plays on it. Mine does have dimpling but not to the degree that this Tron has.

Stern has stepped up in the past for others and I think they will ultimately here, they just need more evidence. I hope some of the others on here who bought this game will speak up and help out with pictures.
 
I am on my way out to play a pro model at the local movie theatre now Ill take a look and see if its having issues.
 
I just looked at my Tron LE closer. Yes, it has some minor dimples that you can see under certain angled lighting, but it doesn't look anything like what is depicted in the pics posted here.

I tend to agree with the idea that this has something to do with the clearcoat not being applied and/or allowed to cure correctly.
 
i've got a shade over 300 plays on mine and it doesn't look anything like that.


hate you're having this problem. hopefully there's something that can be done.
 
i've got a shade over 300 plays on mine and it doesn't look anything like that.

hate you're having this problem. hopefully there's something that can be done.

Thanks for the responses, guys. It would be great if you could snap a photo and post it here. I need some proof that my playfield is in significantly worse shape than other Tron machines with 200+ games played on them.
 
Hmmm, now taking a closer look on a real computer screen not my iphone, the dimples look like the clear didn't quite set and as for the insert, the clear is WAAAAY too thin. You should contact STERN and or the distributor and have them send a new game, yes a NEW GAME, because they will try to send you a new playfield but thats a TON of work to swap, like 20-30 hours in some cases.

Thanks for the second look and updated comment. I'm going to take a look at the inserts again and see if I can feel any raised/lowered edges. If that is the case, then that should be proof that the clear coat was not applied correctly, right?
 
If anyone needs a place to host a picture send it to me and I will put it up in my gallery. metahugh at yahoo dot com
 
Thanks for the responses, guys. It would be great if you could snap a photo and post it here. I need some proof that my playfield is in significantly worse shape than other Tron machines with 200+ games played on them.


IMG_20110822_155336.jpg


IMG_20110822_155348.jpg


IMG_20110822_155356.jpg


IMG_20110822_155403.jpg


IMG_20110822_155412.jpg




hope those help. i snapped 'em real quick with my phone.

oh, and i have 309 plays as of this morning.
 
I checked the pro machine and it has some dimpling but nothing near as bad as yours or the issue with the inserts. I tried to snap a pic with my phone but no go! I am there often to play though so I will take my camera and try to get as good of a pic as possible in the crappy lighting. sorry bout your table I hope you get it fixed up.
 
I am seeing some dimples on my Tron LE. Nothing like your pics.
I also have some dimples on my IM as there were massive air balls due to the monger lit not sitting flush with the pf.
My SM doesn't show any dimples that I noticed and looks the best out of the 3 Sterns that I have.
 
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