What do you think of this playfield?

vipe155

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I'm posting this message to get opinions on what I can do with this playfield on my Blackout. I've never done any restoring or anything, and don't know much about it.

The machine is in ok condition. The backbox needs some touch-up, there are a couple of light sockets that need to be replaced + decals over some targets/spinners. You know, the kind of stuff I can easily buy parts for and replace.

I'm mostly concerned about this playfield. That would be the big problem with getting this machine up to good condition. If you look at the pictures, the upper playfield isn't terrible, the plastics aren't bad, but it's down the middle and the return/outlanes on the lower playfield that aren't good. Any suggestions on what I can do with this, or is this pretty screwed?

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1029.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1028.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1027.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1025.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1024.jpg
 
id touch it up and play some pinball !

That sounds great, but I'm not sure how. I can see touching up the black "space" areas, and the yellow around the 2000/3000 outlanes, but what about the sun in the middle? FYI the playfield is a little uneven there where the paint is missing and it's just black.

Also, what about the number inserts around the mylar slingshot shields. I don't know what happened there.
 
Looks like someone already touched up the black. Possibly with sharpie. Doesn't look too bad actually, though it might come off when you clean the playfield. I would probably do some more sharpie touchup on the black, wax the hell out of it and play it.

Alternatively you could touch it up with acrylic paint and clear coat it but that's going to be a ton of work.
 
Just keep in mind. When it comes to pinball, "You play the game, not the art!"
 
I'm posting this message to get opinions on what I can do with this playfield on my Blackout. I've never done any restoring or anything, and don't know much about it.

The machine is in ok condition. The backbox needs some touch-up, there are a couple of light sockets that need to be replaced + decals over some targets/spinners. You know, the kind of stuff I can easily buy parts for and replace.

I'm mostly concerned about this playfield. That would be the big problem with getting this machine up to good condition. If you look at the pictures, the upper playfield isn't terrible, the plastics aren't bad, but it's down the middle and the return/outlanes on the lower playfield that aren't good. Any suggestions on what I can do with this, or is this pretty screwed?

http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1029.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1028.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1027.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1025.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp55/vipe155/IMG_1024.jpg
On something like this I would use some sharpies and wax it good. Of course you should probably use some Novus2 to clean it up first.

Glennon
 
Just keep in mind. When it comes to pinball, "You play the game, not the art!"

I will admit I'm kind of surprised to read almost everyone just say "wax it and play it." Are you saying the playfield is too screwed, and I might as well just use it?

I guess I don't know what to do with it. I plan on having 5 or 6 pins someday, and I would like them all to be in good/great condition. Right now, this one doesn't fit that. I guess I may touch it up and wax it, and wait a couple of years and see if a repro pf comes out or I find a playfield in better condition.

What should I use for paint on this? Simple bottle/tube acrylics?
 
yes, exactly

Well, anything that can be done around the 4 and the 8 in the middle? The mylar shield damage?

The trouble is I kind of doubt any reproduction playfields will ever be made, and I don't know if it will be worth that kind of $$$ to do that to this machine anyway. Too bad I guess.
 
i suppose, after touching up all that needs touching up, you could spray a clear coat on it

that would level the playfield out depending how much you sprayed

that would be A LOT of work but so what ? you would have to cover any holes so the clear doesnt run down onto the switches etc
have to take almost everything off the PF
they do sell clear by the can at ace hardware but make sure you get the "clear" and not the "foggy" where you cant see through it

hit the playfield with some 2000 grit sandpaper before you shoot it and wear eye protection and a mask cause that is bad stuff and is attracted to wet surfaces like your eyes and mouth (its a version of cyanide gas)

you could cut away the mylar thats separated from the insert and the clear would fill in the gap making it a bit more level but you might need a few coats

some acrylics and the black sharpie react funny to the clear but so what. it'll look great and the PF is kinda ruined anyway

i use a DUPONT product they use on cars. good luck
 
I will admit I'm kind of surprised to read almost everyone just say "wax it and play it." Are you saying the playfield is too screwed, and I might as well just use it?

I'm not surprised at all to hear that. It's really not that bad and to properly fix it is going to be a lot of work. There is no shortcut to fixing that kind of damage. The reason people are saying to wax it and play it is because we assume you actually want to play this game at some point. Touch up and clear coat is going to be pretty time consuming. You could definitely touch-up that playfield but you're going to need to either apply mylar or some kind of clear coat. If you just wax over acrylic paint touch-ups they will come off pretty quickly.

I guess I don't know what to do with it.

Enjoy playing it.

I plan on having 5 or 6 pins someday, and I would like them all to be in good/great condition. Right now, this one doesn't fit that.

You might want to consider selling it and buying something in better condition. Who's to say you still won't be satisfied after touch-up. It's a lot easier to make it worse than better.

I guess I may touch it up and wax it, and wait a couple of years and see if a repro pf comes out or I find a playfield in better condition. What should I use for paint on this? Simple bottle/tube acrylics?

I wouldn't bother with acrylics unless you're going to use mylar or clear coat. Unless you're just doing basic sharpie touch-ups then go ahead and wax over them but keep in mind that they will come off with any kind of aggressive cleaning.
 
There are many things that can be done, the playfield is in pretty decent shape.

Sharpies are a temporary fix, they wear off and allow the game to accumulate more playfield/paint wear.

If it were mine I would do the following.

Remove all of that previous touchup done probably with sharpie.

Remove the mylar near the slingshots with either the freeze spray method or heat. Heat seems to work better for this era.

Gently clean the game with rubbing alcohol and magic eraser.

Remove the remaining white residue with Novus 2 and see what the playfield looks like then.

Use a body glaze compound on all worn to wood areas to get a nice smooth and even surface to touch up. (see the link below for details on this product)

Touch up the black with acrylic paint.

Touch up the inlanes.

Either repaint the entire sun area using close to original colors or recreate the artwork as a decal.

Touch up around all inserts (black key lines)

Make a waterslide decal for the #4 insert.

Clearcoat the playfield and play.

Make sure all inserts are level and flush with the playfield. This era of williams games will have sunken and/or cupped inserts.

This is a ton of work, will require you to completely strip all of the parts off the top of the game including wood side rails, metal ball guides, protruding switches, etc.

However when you are done and if the touchups are good, you will have a sweet looking blackout.

The entire process is documented here:
http://www.pinrepair.com/restore/index.htm

If you decide to go this route, make a new post showing your progress!

Good luck!
 
Great summary of what's required.

There are many things that can be done, the playfield is in pretty decent shape.

Sharpies are a temporary fix, they wear off and allow the game to accumulate more playfield/paint wear.

If it were mine I would do the following.

Remove all of that previous touchup done probably with sharpie.

Remove the mylar near the slingshots with either the freeze spray method or heat. Heat seems to work better for this era.

Gently clean the game with rubbing alcohol and magic eraser.

Remove the remaining white residue with Novus 2 and see what the playfield looks like then.

Use a body glaze compound on all worn to wood areas to get a nice smooth and even surface to touch up. (see the link below for details on this product)

Touch up the black with acrylic paint.

Touch up the inlanes.

Either repaint the entire sun area using close to original colors or recreate the artwork as a decal.

Touch up around all inserts (black key lines)

Make a waterslide decal for the #4 insert.

Clearcoat the playfield and play.

Make sure all inserts are level and flush with the playfield. This era of williams games will have sunken and/or cupped inserts.

This is a ton of work, will require you to completely strip all of the parts off the top of the game including wood side rails, metal ball guides, protruding switches, etc.

However when you are done and if the touchups are good, you will have a sweet looking blackout.

The entire process is documented here:
http://www.pinrepair.com/restore/index.htm

If you decide to go this route, make a new post showing your progress!

Good luck!
 
Either repaint the entire sun area using close to original colors or recreate the artwork as a decal.

What type of decal would you recommend for this and where would you get it printed off ?
 
What if you have maybe 4 areas around the inserts that are worn to bare wood, can you just spray thoughs areas after touch-up? I dont see why stripping the whole playfield for a bit of touch up. Please explain
 
I would see if you could get a good straight overhead shot of the area from some one who has the game. You will need to measure the area so that you can take that image into PhotoShop or Illustrator and create an exact match. You can buy either ink jet waterslide decals online or if you have access to a color laser printer you can buy laser waterslide decals.

http://www.decalpaper.com/category-s/2.htm

You will probably need to get the clear paper, although I see a little white in the design, so you might want to go with that as most printers cannot print white.

http://ipdb.org/showpic.pl?id=317&picno=16466&zoom=1

From that image you could basically recreate that area by hand. It doesn't look too hard if you took it slow. The colors are basic yellow, a lighter orange, and real red. Once you had the sun done, you'd add in the white/black details.

I guess the approach you would take would depend on your artistic skills. :)
 
You could remove it entirely, its your game. Just be aware that you'll take a huge hit when you go to try and resell the game if you are selling to one of the more anal pinball collectors.
 
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