What causes this and how can I fix it? (cosmetic)

alejandromad

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I just got this pinball (my first.. as if that wasn't obvious!) and I was wondering about the cracking... hard to tell if it's the artwork or something on top of it.

What would be the best approach for at least minimizing it (or eliminating it completely)?
Is that even possible?

Thanks!
-Allen
 

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I just got this pinball (my first.. as if that wasn't obvious!) and I was wondering about the cracking... hard to tell if it's the artwork or something on top of it.

What would be the best approach for at least minimizing it (or eliminating it completely)?
Is that even possible?

Thanks!
-Allen

Looks like the playfield hasn't been kept waxed, and subsequently dried and took a lot of beating. You can treat it with Novus 2 and 3, then wax it. You should also buy some new balls for your game, as old balls can do a lot of damage.

I'm sure someone who has a bit more experience than me will come along and offer their opinion. :)
 
Magic Eraser might take the dirt out of the cracks, but I think they're they're for good. They will just keep picking up more dirt unless you were to clear coat the whole PF.
 
Magic erasers work great. Just be careful how much elbow grease you use as it may take up paint.
 
Magic erasers work great. Just be careful how much elbow grease you use as it may take up paint.

Do not use magic eraser unless you are doing a total restore on the playfield. You pretty much have to touch up and clear coat after that.

Magic eraser isn't magic - it is sand paper!

As to what that is, it is stress cracking from temperature changes, playfield flexing, etc. It is a symptom of all 30+ year old used pinballs of that era.
 
Do not use magic eraser unless you are doing a total restore on the playfield. You pretty much have to touch up and clear coat after that.

I've used magic eraser on plenty of playfields and didn't have that problem. And others where I did... but I knew that going in. The trick is to go slow and stop before you start pulling up paint. Obviously in areas that already have loose paint or clear coat that's been worn through you're going to have to be even more careful and might remove some paint but it's not like paint comes off the second the pad touches the playfield. Areas like that will often lose paint with any cleaning.

In this case I would be careful with it. The paint looks pretty loose but it might be the dust making it look like that.

I would strip the playfield, remove the dust and surface dirt (could use Novus #2), go over it carefully with magic eraser, clean with Novus #2, wax and reassemble. It might not come out perfect but I can guarantee that I could make the playfield look better with this method than Novus #2 alone and remove no paint.

Magic eraser IS abrasive. But it's a very fine abrasive. You have to respect it or it will bite you in the ass.
 
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As to what that is, it is stress cracking from temperature changes, playfield flexing, etc. It is a symptom of all 30+ year old used pinballs of that era.

Not all - I've seen a few mint but ancient playfields over the years! I'm sure it is mostly due to many of those older pins having spent decades in a barn or other less-than-desirable storage are.

Wade
 
Thanks for the ideas and the techniques. I will try the Magic Eraser and Novus #2... and I will be careful. For waxing... anything special or is it car wax?
 
I've used magic eraser on plenty of playfields and didn't have that problem. And others where I did... but I knew that going in. The trick is to go slow and stop before you start pulling up paint. Obviously in areas that already have loose paint or clear coat that's been worn through you're going to have to be even more careful and might remove some paint but it's not like paint comes off the second the pad touches the playfield. Areas like that will often lose paint with any cleaning.

In this case I would be careful with it. The paint looks pretty loose but it might be the dust making it look like that.

I would strip the playfield, remove the dust and surface dirt (could use Novus #2), go over it carefully with magic eraser, clean with Novus #2, wax and reassemble. It might not come out perfect but I can guarantee that I could make the playfield look better with this method than Novus #2 alone and remove no paint.

Magic eraser IS abrasive. But it's a very fine abrasive. You have to respect it or it will bite you in the ass.
I agree about the magic eraser. I have used it on several playfields with great results.
Glennon
 
Me too.

Big fan of magic eraser, or any of the other look alikes out there, just go easy, yellow paint seems to come off too easily.

Another fan of Mother's Carnuba Wax. Make sure that you get the hard wax in the red can, good stuff.

Mike
 
I just got this pinball (my first.. as if that wasn't obvious!) and I was wondering about the cracking... hard to tell if it's the artwork or something on top of it.

What would be the best approach for at least minimizing it (or eliminating it completely)?
Is that even possible?

Thanks!
-Allen
After looking at the pic that was probably caused by the playfield prop rod.LOL

Glennon
 
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