Good god

Damn man. Maybe stay away from nib to see what happens if anything

Sounds like this issue is occurring only on Mirco produced playfields which JJP uses exclusively and Stern uses for some of their playfields. That may be why the issue isn't occurring as often on Stern games since they use other playfield manufacturers.

In regards to timing for when the issue began my best best guess is late summer 2018 when Pirates started to ship. Dialed In's produced prior to Pirates used Mirco playfields but didn't have clear pooling around posts or post chipping. Something changed with Mirco playfields during the summer of 2018 and from what I can tell they are still being made the same way.

Overall this issue is unacceptable and the last thing owners of a NIB pin should have to worry about while paying record high prices is playfield quality. Want to charge top dollar for these games? Ok but then offer top quality.

I have absolutely no desire to buy anything NIB anymore.

As I took the JP2 pic above, I’ll keep checking on that machine. Another thing taking a beating is the post protecting the upper flipper.

GOTG was announced in October of 2017 but is still being made. The picture of the GOTG with this issue was likely made sometime between summer 2018 and now. That's assuming the playfield in the pic was made by Mirco.

I have a Maiden Pro built in early April 2018 which has some pooling around posts, so it was happening before Summer.

Good to know. If this issue occurs on Stern games it seems limited to pooling versus chipping that is occurring on some JJP games. Has anyone seen a Stern game with post chipping made in the past two years?

Friends IMDN purchased around same time had pooling then easily chipped.
Cover to limit it, but same potential outcome after a beating with a steel ball.

Thought Stern decided to move entire pf QC in house after what happened with GB.

same, I have felt this way for years now. stinks, but I will just buy used and make sure everything is good first.

Rumor has it that JJP playfields are made in China from what I've heard recently although they do use Microplayfields too. Maybe their CE models use Microplayfields and then China for the other models.

As for Stern I've seen it most recently on Deadpool and Munsters. Same crap! For $8k+ you would think they'd get this crap under control.

Heck all of my Bally/Williams 90's era pins are all in excellent condition with no chipping or pooling around the posts.

What?! First I've heard of this. Can anyone else confirm?

my game had a small piece of clear chip up, but luckily the artwork didn't come up with it. The issue hasn't gotten any worse in the past year and Stern sent me an unpopulated playfield that I could swap in at a later date if it does get worse. I'm happy with the resolution and the service provided by Stern. It hasn't altered the enjoyment of my game one bit and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Stern in the future.

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I think it has got to the point where customers are going to want to know where/who they get their playfields done before they purchase. And Stern and JJP will likely need disclose that information proactively.

Until it's a "sick theme bro."

Good point, our zealous desire to buy NIB pinball machines despite high cost and PF issues may very well prevent a real resolution from the manufactures.

C'mon everyone, we all know how capitalism works, don't we? ... ever increasing profit margins and ever increasing cut corners and exclusions all while the price rises. Nothing unexpected, they don't make 'em like they used to. Real quality wood, and taking the time and care required for superior quality product have gone to the wayside, so that things can continue on the essential growth curve! . Capitalism is just the best isn't it!

I made the choice never to buy another new in box stern after the horrendous dimpling that happened to my n.i.b. ACDC Prem VE. It warranted a replacement Decent playfield in my opinion, but I was brushed of by the stern dealer along with the likes of the man Steve himself who claimed it was "normal". Besides if the playfield was replaced it would just be the same s#it quality p/f to replace it. I sold the POS, I would get another as I think it's a great game, but I will buy an original run that has a playfield made with more care and decent hard wood. Also bonus get a propper backbox latch, backbox, and real lockdown reciever. Stern especially have taken Cheap and Nasty to the Next level from all that I've seen. They out do everyone else for cheap, by leagues. What operator is going to be keen to buy a new JP2 that does not eat the ball? . It's the main attraction and what everyone expects from JP... may as well keep the old one or buy a Premium... or was that the plan... less pro's?

Venting sequence complete!

Is there are simple and cheap way home owners can deal with this?

Touch up with clear nail polish or something?

gonna need a dedicated forum section for these nib pf issue threads soon!

There is a dedicated forum for this. It's called Pinside.

I’ve have had slingshot post chipping on IMDN and TNA.

NIBBA meeting...

Hello, my name is Bob, and I am a NIB buyer

Just steer clear of anything that has a "Mirco" label on the playfield. Problem solved.

In some cases, possibly, but what’s been happening is the ink has been lifting too.

Not solved, if you believe Mirco’s post where he says he doesn’t supply PF’s for Stern.

What would it cost for Stern or any of these pinball manufacturers to go back to making Diamond Plate Coated Playfields like Williams use to do? It's only an automotive urethane clear coating that is done to the final playfield to make it more durable and add years to the life of the playfield. It can't add that much to the cost of a damn machine. I mean seriously for $8000+ you should get the best money can buy!

It would also probably minimize playfield dimpling also.

CPR and Mirco each have their issues. You'd only be choosing what kinds of issues your game will present with. Although, seems like with Mirco it's just that they don't allow time for proper curing. On the other hand you cant wave a wand and magically make your CPR go "poof" and become decent hard wood.

I would "steer clear" of CPR unless you're fine with having a playfield that is more heavily spotted than an oversized golfball.

Doesn't leave much then does it. I guess there is room then for a new Reputable playfield manufacturer to "clean up".

There are people who has bought the spare mirco-playfields. Had them for months and still soft as butter.
So, how long does it take for a mirco playfield to harden? 10 years?

6-12 months apparently. ... Longer to be safe. Cant remember where I read that, but it was given advice. (Mirco)

There is no possible way these manufacturers are allowing their new releases to cure for anywhere near this amount of time.

We had an AC/DC VE Pro that had clearcoat welling up around posts. Art and clear cracked off around two posts. We were sent a clearcoat repair kit. We also have some clear that came welled up on our Maiden at home. It's not as bad as the AC/DC and hopefully will never crack off...Dear Stern, I love your games, please get this worked out. If this is a supplier not letting the clear cure long enough, SLOW DOWN.

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My sentiments, exactly.

Another problem, like Law pointed out, is what if Stern makes that license pin you have been wanting? Or finally makes the vault you have been waiting for...or JJP's GNR is amazing!

It will be hard to resist....but...must...resiiiiiiiii - "So, anyone know a good distributor in my area?"

Like Gleason said "You can think about it....but DON'T do it!"

No worries mate! ... just unbox it, pull the rubbers and loosen all the posts then pack it up again. .... Have the unboxing in 12 months time when it should have been released! (just remember to firmly, but not too firmly, tighten all the posts back down again Lol)

There is nothing to say companies other than Mirco don't have clear on playfields that is not fully cured as well, and then the manufacturer is installing the green playfields into games prematurely. I'd still prefer the Mirco for the wood hardness, and less pronounced dimpling. CPR's clear probably isn't cured fully either. Same problem, different supplier.

It should not take this long no matter what. Prior to GB, does anyone really think Stern was sitting on playfields for the next hotness for 6-12 months before assembling and selling them?

I have cleared a few older games with a rather generic PPG Omni clear, not even the one suggested by Vid, and they do not fail the thumb nail test after 2 weeks. One game is part of a project that isn't playable yet, but the other game has a few hundred plays and is doing just fine.

There are products out there that will protect the way we expect without warping and chipping. These manufacturers need to get this figured out, even if it's a few pennies more a game. The playfield is the most important part of the game.

which ones? CGC? I can confirm my Houdini does not have this issue, although no title is immune from some games having an issue of some sort

BKSOR and Munsters also seem to be lesser sellers, so may not be a great sample set

The fact that neither JJP, Stern, or Mirco has even commented on the issue is troubling.

There is a myth that old glass window panes are thicker at the bottom because of the glass "flowing" to the bottom over the decades. Not true but I wonder if this is a possibility with clear coated playfields. Will gravity cause the clear coat to slowly pool downward until it hardens?

But not unexpected - they can't address this issue without exposing some degree of public validation or denial. Which they would like to avoid at all 'costs'.