(Topic ID: 100052)

☼ A Hot Tip on Plastics

By Pin-it

9 years ago


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Topic Stats

  • 13 posts
  • 11 Pinsiders participating
  • Topic is favorited by 8 Pinsiders

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    #1 9 years ago

    Removing Metal Stand offs from Playfield Plastics?

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    A quick easy way to remove them without damage.
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    All you need is a solder gun and a rag.
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    As you heat the metal post {from the inside} that are pressed into the plastic with full on heat.

    In less than a minute it will become loose, check with a side to side motion pressing lightly on the post with the gun tip.
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    Once its loose lower the gun, grab a rag a quickly grip it to remove the Hot! post.

    Repeat as needed.
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    Throw the posts in the tumbler.
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    And now polish the plastics without interference from posts with your favorite plastic polish.

    #2 9 years ago

    I usually just yank them out with a pair of pliers. This is a much better idea. Thanks for the tip.

    #3 9 years ago

    You son of a bitch.

    That's perfect. I will never again suffer through this...

    #4 9 years ago

    Came across this problem with my Bally Camelot, the plastics are all very dirty and stained. Three of them are broken, so i want to replace them all. So i need the posts, but don't want to ruin the original plastics. Nice trick, probably I practice on the broken ones to find the perfect temperature and so.

    #5 9 years ago

    Great technique, thanks.

    #6 9 years ago

    Yeah, but can you put them back on?

    #8 9 years ago
    Quoted from jrpinball:

    Yeah, but can you put them back on?

    Of course. ↑ Gun`em back in.

    #9 9 years ago

    Great tip Pin-it

    #10 9 years ago

    Cool. No, hot!

    3 years later
    #11 6 years ago

    What a great site for info.was wondering how to remove the metal standoffs from the plastic ball guides on my Full House when I came across this post.I then proceeded to make new ones which I think turned out pretty good.

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    3 years later
    #12 2 years ago

    What temperature do you set the iron?

    #13 2 years ago
    Quoted from bayoubilly70:

    What temperature do you set the iron?

    It's a huge ass soldering gun. You don't set the temperature. (It sets you?)

    Do it by feel. You'll feel it loosen up as you rock it (don't press down into the plastic though that will start to melt through). When installing it will 'snick' into place.

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