I was wondering what type of cloth you guys recommend using to clean the playfield, and where is a good place to buy it? Also, is it better to apply the Novus to the cloth first, or directly to the playfield?

Micro fiber towels check these guys out it seems like a nice kit. I m ordering one

http://www.treasure-cove.net/BuyPolish.htm

For initial cleaning of a dirty playfield I use baby wipes since I will be polishing and waxing it anyway.

But for normal maintenance cleaning, I use Novus1 and microfiber towels. I spray directly on the playfield. Just don't let it sit. I also use a microfiber towel to buff off the wax. Basically, treat it like a brand new car.

Treasure Cove's polishing disk kit is awesome if your playfield is dull.

"But for normal maintenance cleaning, I use Novus 1 ..."

Why Novus 1 instead of Novus 2? I've never really understood which one to use when.

Novus 2 is a polishing agent. It shouldn't be used regularly as it is a mild abrasive. Mainly used when shopping out the machine.
Novus 1 is a plastics cleaner which is safe for most everything in a pinball machine.
Even if you use Novus2 you should finish with a Novus1 wipe down before waxing.

Yep, Novus 3 is the most coarse with Novus 1 being the finest. Always use the least aggressive that you can get away with.

-Hans

here is a good video about cleaning a playfield

» YouTube video

OK, so let me get this straight. Novus 2 is only to be used when you are cleaning a really dirty playfield. Since my machine was fully shopped and waxed before I bought it, regular touch-ups with Novus 1 is all that is needed. As far as waxing goes, it seems like you really have to strip down the entire playfield in order to do it correctly. Since I have no interest in doing this, will I still be OK if I just use Novus 1 from time to time and do nothing else?

If it was already waxed you should just give a regular wipe down with Novus 1 or simple green once a month depending how much playing you do. And every so often give a wax in the high traffic areas so you dont wear down to the paint on the playfield. IMO

if using the Treasure Cove treatment - make sure you have a drill that can get up to 2000 + rpms. A chordless batery drill probably isn't going to go that high. I did 2 playfields with a batery drill and wasn't really impressed. However, on my last pin I got a decent drill and was blown away. Check out these before and after pics - and this doesn't even really do it justice. I recommend this stuff.

To answer your original question, gweempose, I use chamois cloths on my playfields during cleanings. I don't think brand name makes a difference. I bought my cloths from the nearby auto parts store (Pep Boys), but I am sure you can find them just about anywhere. As far as cleaning agents go, I use novus 2 for getting the initial dirt/scratch out. If all I need is to do a usual cleaning, I will use novus 1. If the playfield section is easy to get my hand in (so much so, that there won't be any residue left afterwards), I will directly apply a tiny bit on the playfield itself. If its a really tough part to clean, I will apply the novus onto the cloth/Q-tip, and then clean from there.

Other than that, regular old glass cleaner for the playfield glass. To throw all this stuff in, I got a free car wash bucket from Pep Boys, in which I place all my used rags and cleaning agents.

I ended up purchasing these microfiber cloths from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Zwipes-Microfiber-36-Pack-Cleaning-Cloths/dp/B000XECJES/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1284572280&sr=1-1

With the promotion they have running, it cost me $35 for 72 of them. I thought it was a pretty good deal for a product with such rave reviews. The cloths arrived today, and they seem great; not too thick, not too thin. They should be perfect for cleaning my pins, as well as many other things around the house.