Pinball Playfield Restoration Basics

Presented are some basic steps to restore damaged pinball playfields: Clear coating, painting, leveling and Mylar removal.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Pinball
• Playfield
• DIY
• Clear Coat

[VinceLatello]

Stupid question. You say that this method pulls up no paint but yet i see paint coming off the playfield? Is it just cause you did it quickly?

[jeriellsworth]

@VinceLatello Part of the problem with this playfield is that it had been wet before the mylar. It was a difficult restoration, since the wood had swollen and cracked the paint. Usually it will not pull up paint if you go slow and keep the mylar frozen.

[ericnathan79]

i've watched this around 10-15times..great vid!

was removing some mylar yesterday, the goo gone was going just..so-so, until i discovered using dryer sheets as well..try it!! they are just course enough to dig in and start breaking up the glue and the glue kinda sticks to it..

[jeriellsworth]

@ericnathan79 Great tip. The glue takes a very long time.

[PinBallReviewer]

Thanks for this now I know what paints to get for the playfield touch ups that I need to do on my machine.

And will you do a how to on fixing up a cab with scratches and some paint bubbling?

[jeriellsworth]

@PinBallReviewer I do the cabinet about the same and give it a semigloss clear when I'm done.

[centerflank]

@vc1414repairman Nice! I love clear coating and despise painted wood trim in houses, I prefer lacquer for my woodwork but I know that would chip rather fast on a play field. What do you shoot through? I have a Capspray Aircoat machine and an HVLP. The capspray has 30 feet of line so nicer for new constructions....Good luck on the play field finishes! If you ever post a vid shoot me a link.

[vc1414repairman]

@centerflank Thanks for your offer to help,but I have ordered two cans from -- True Value home store ---. After searching the web again - and found a easy to use web site ,That I could order the polyurethane from and have it shiped to my local store without extra shipping charges. I'm also a Finisher at a High End Furniture Store. I spray Dupont Chroma Color and Clear Coat on a weekly basis. I'm interested in this product because it looked great for small projects and touch up work .

[centerflank]

@vc1414repairman Bummer, perhaps try calling sherwin and talk to a sales rep, Im sure they can special order that sort of poly. They do have there regular outlet stores and then they have some specialty industrial outlets as well (i was told). Im a professional painter and I use a place called Hallman Lindsay out of wisconsin, I will look next time Im at my store to see if they have it, I could even set you up with my sales rep and Im positive they'd ship you some.

[vc1414repairman]

@centerflank You would think But I've been to Home depot-Ace hardware-Sherwin Williams-lowes home store- local woodworking store-hadlocks paint store- Sears- and the only thing I could find was a Quart of this product at lowes--but nothing in spray can form..I did buy a can of ACE hardware polyurthane -and it yellowed the playfield after a few coats ** Do Not use this product** Cheap and easy dosen't mean you'll get good results.. But my search gose on --if anyone else has any ideas please

[centerflank]

@vc1414repairman Any home depot, menards, ace hardware, sherwin williams should carry that product, I would recommend spraying it through a hvlp system versus a can but the can is the most inexpensive option by far......

[centerflank]

Ive been spraying F21 turtlewax product on my playfields seems to work nice, anyone else do that???

[vc1414repairman]

Hello great job on the video Can you tell us where you bought the Varathane Polyurthane.??

I have looked all over town and can not find it in my local area - I have seen it on line, but I would rather find it local if possible..

[wozzer2727]

Can you tell me where I can get a foxy chick that will tolerate my pinball addiction?

[ebayisajoke]

pinball ops are crooked.

[GodsMan500]

Heat works like a charm for me. Any residual glue comes off with a little WD-40 on a paper towel.