X-Files: Save from playfield magnet wear

Cmndr Brain

Well-known member

Donor 8 years: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
Joined
Oct 10, 2006
Messages
1,420
Reaction score
300
Location
Endicott, New York
I'm working on an X-Files pinball where the playfield in still in perfect condition. There is absolutely no wear anywhere on the playfield. I know that these games suffer playfield wear in front of the file cabinet from the magnet holding the ball for extended periods of time. Does anyone know a way to protect this area from this problem? Would a patch of mylar on the playfield work, or would that ruin the artwork should it be removed? I'm not experienced with SEGA/Stern games.
 
I'm working on an X-Files pinball where the playfield in still in perfect condition. There is absolutely no wear anywhere on the playfield. I know that these games suffer playfield wear in front of the file cabinet from the magnet holding the ball for extended periods of time. Does anyone know a way to protect this area from this problem? Would a patch of mylar on the playfield work, or would that ruin the artwork should it be removed? I'm not experienced with SEGA/Stern games.

Mylar is great but you have to be careful when you remove it. Just wax the area well before applying the mylar and it will be easier if you want to remove it.

I also use cling vinyl on my pins now. It doesn't attach like Mylar but protects well. Not great for all uses but I like it in the shooter lane and on the outlanes areas and such.
 
BITD, Sega released a fix it kit, that had a thin metal plate you stuck down to the playfield, to help protect from damage. I remember reading, there was a fix to have the magnet engage at half power, to also help reduce damage. I think it involved the latest rom revision at that time. You'll have to research that, and good luck finding the plate, I never found a replacement before selling mine.
 
It goes without saying (I hope), but make damned sure you've got new balls in the game as well. A dirty/beat-up ball that's getting ground into the playfield by the magnet can cause premature wear. Dirt in the area can also be an issue.

I tend to go with a small piece of mylar in the affected area, since it's pretty easy to remove, esp. off a newer playfield that's otherwise in good shape.
 
BITD, Sega released a fix it kit, that had a thin metal plate you stuck down to the playfield, to help protect from damage. I remember reading, there was a fix to have the magnet engage at half power, to also help reduce damage. I think it involved the latest rom revision at that time. You'll have to research that, and good luck finding the plate, I never found a replacement before selling mine.

Why couldn't somebody just cut a peice of metal with some spray adhesive?
 
Never said you couldn't, just described what Sega did for the fix :)

I myself would be worried about the adhesive on the playfield, but again, that's just me. Do your research regarding the magnet though, that will save the playfield in the long run.
 
I myself would be worried about the adhesive on the playfield, but again, that's just me. Do your research regarding the magnet though, that will save the playfield in the long run.

First, thank you all for the replies.
I never had a Sega game and don't have the experience on how their playfields hold up. I was concerned about an adhesive. I mostly collect Williams games and their playfields were painted with mylar in the early days and clear coated later on. I don't have a problem putting mylar on those because I know I can remove it/replace it. I didn't know if the Sega playfields would have a reaction to the mylar adhesive. I like that solution the most as it could be removed and replaced but, how would the Sega playfield handle it. The Sega playfield doesn't look screen printed. It looks more... sticker. Will the art come up with the removal of the mylar? Although, there is mylar in front of the slingshots. More research and opinions are needed.
 
It's wild that I've seen like 2 ever that didn't have that wear.
It's kinda sad that that insert is plain jane as hell and that
it doesn't even have a word or logo on it.
 
The main concern, is the wear caused by the magnet, pulling the balls down on the playfield. That's why the released a fix, to knock that magnet down to half power. That's what causes the wear in that spot in front of the filing cabinet. Mylar would protect from ball wear, but not from the magnet pull, after a long period of time. Eventually, it would start causing an indent into the playfield.
 
Back
Top Bottom