This thread is great. Thanks to Vid1900, Pinballinreno, & the other knowledgeable contributors.
I picked up some Blitz, the kit of tiny vacuum attachments, & I'll be ensmartening my cleaning & waxing approach.
Regarding inspecting & replacing balls, here are 2 anecdotes:
My Deadpool premium, built earlier this year, came with 1 ball that had some interesting cracks across it. I'm glad I checked before putting it in my machine.
800-900ish games on it in 7 months, 2200ish balls played. I've changed the balls out once or twice already. When I examined them today, one & only one looked like a golf ball. Wow. Unless I lost track (possible), all 6 were new Titan Super Shiny balls or Marco Silverjet Premium balls.
Attachments:
1st 2: new Deadpool ball
3rd: golf ball after a few months in Deadpool.
Thanks,
-Jason