I’d just like to say that These issues are normal.

Everybody has a right to decide how much dimpling, divoting, cratering, etc they’re willing to accept, just like everybody has a right to decide which pin themes they like or dislike. There’s no right or wrong here in spite of what some “experts” would like to have us think. For me personally, as it seems there are significant differences from one build to the next at certain manufacturers, this would suggest the quality control is rather lax. This throws up a red flag for me.

My Build Date was Jan 2019, but didn't get my game until July 1st, but didn't play until middle of July.....I can't believe how great the playfield is....barely any ball marks...they are there but you really have to look hard.

My guess is the playfield probably is cured well due to not being played for 6 months

Panzer will never mention anything bad about JJP because he is their biggest fanboy. JJP games dimple too, their clearcoat also chips and pools around the posts just like Sterns games. JJP is no better at all, even with their outrageous prices and how they boast about being the highest quality games made. Its simply not true and Jack wont stand behind his product either.

If you play it it's going to dimple period.

Also clear coats that were mixed wrong will never harden.

Except I have mentioned flaws and quality issues on JJP games multiple times including making a thread questioning if JJP quality had gone down.

Also, yes I do think JJP makes higher quality products then Stern that also offers more value. If I'm a fanboy for saying that so be it.

I own 16 machines now. Different manufacturers and age; All have dimpling.

Love my JJP pins. Have had numerous board issues though. Their customer service department has always made things right.

Well the only company that you seem to single out is Stern. I think anyone here would agree with me on that.

Just a data point, I believe the pooling/chipping issue is corrected. My Wonka CE has zero pooling and is holding up fine. It does dimple but that is not unexpected to me on any pin.

I've never created a thread questioning Sterns quality but have with JJP as seen below. I had made the thread below prior to these playfield issues being reported. After getting a WOZ ECLE I had hoped that the level of quality would remain the same. Hobbit had that same level of quality but I think it has gone down a notch since then.

I think Stern makes great games but do question their prices considering what you get in return. I just don't see the value there with a majority of Sterns. Stern is charging close or at JJP prices but isn't offering the same value in terms of features and parts build quality in my opinion. The last Stern that I think was truly loaded up with multiple interactive toys and 3D molds was Ghostbusters Premium which I happily purchased NIB. All of their games are fun and if money was no object I would buy them all.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/is-jjp-quality-control-inconsistent-

It has been somewhat fixed by taking away the artwork from under all the posts. I think the real problem is still there though.

clear either hardens in minutes or never hardens.

that’s not quite true - typical automotive series 2K low bake clearcoat (like what’s put on bumpers or mirror caps) is considered cured 72 hours after baking. I do not know, however, what kind of clear is being applied to pins, but I would guess it’s similiar in it’s chemistry - unless UV curing clears are used - which would actually make a lot of sense and then you would be spot on.

Nope artwork still everywhere on my new Wonka that was Stern’s solution

I'd like my game, extra stacked with great modes, fun toys, and an excellent layout.

But umm, hold the dimples please.

I was talking about Stern games in this case here, not JJP.

yes it could be as you note it depends what you use - the 2K stuff that I've used at 20C was done in 12 hours, and if baked 30 minutes, can't see them baking wood though! I remember the pinball news article that showed play fields on racks curing at CGC. I had assumed UV though and I wonder if that's the change that has made play fields problematic?

That is simply not true.

IMG_1936 (resized).jpeg

Stern games not JJP. All Stern did was bandaid the problem by taking the artwork out from under the posts. Put that artwork back under there and the problem would still exist.

on my JP2 and Elvira, the clear is totally different from BK:SOR or other games, seems thinner. Yes its the artwork is missing from some areas but its not the only change.

Well I've heard from some pretty good sources that the real problem has still not been corrected and you dont see them putting the artwork back under the posts so I tend to believe that the issue with the artwork pulling up has not been corrected.

Also I have seen the newer playfields with the super thin clearcoat on the newer games and I'm not a fan of that either. The playfields dont look as nice and I gotta wonder how they will hold up under heavy usage.

Who-Dey and the gang....are on the case!

BHG+-+Seth+4 (resized).jpg

I realize you're probably referring to Stern but for the record, the new Wonka clear looks as thick as the original to me.

There's a reason why I haven't bought a new game in awhile other than the fact that I'm broke.

I agree, the problem seems to have been fixed....until the next problem pops up anyway.

It does Mirco got a wake up call!

Thanks, that helps. I’m thinking of getting a Wonka SE but unsure what build date to look for other than “last week” lol. Maybe just wait a tad longer and roll the dice for a 2020 build.

October 2019 is when I think the playfield issues were corrected.

Be nice of Stern to admit they had a major problem and exactly when they soved it, wouldn't it?

I won't touch a NIB Stern until they do and identify the backstock that is affected.

This is correct ^^^^

That is never going to happen. They always stay silent when there's problems. It's frustrating for sure.

none of the pinball vendors have done this but I agree that it's needed. I doubt we will get it.

Yeah you're right. That's why we've seen metal ball guides sinking into the CC and then some bubbling and cracking.

So not 100%

LOL says the man who has never owned a Stern game they must be shaking in there boots

Agree....I'll have to check plays, but my wife plays the heck out of it and the playfield looks fantastic

I've owned or own a lot of Sterns....I'll never buy another NIB stern until they first admit there was a problem, and two convince me they solved the problem. My guess is I'll never buy another Stern game....oh well

My Stranger Things Premium is perfect so far. No pooling/chipping. Dimples are minor. Playfield is beautiful. Game is a blast! Can’t wait to see where the codes goes.

Well one thing is for sure, it can only get better.

you should find out in 2022 when they finish the code.

More like, says a man with enough money in his pocket to buy any game he really wants.

You must have large pockets. Even if you’re dealing with hundreds that’s gotta be annoying carrying around 10k of 100 dollar bills.

Yeah. It's a terrible inconvenience.

I think that sounds about right.
I have a Star Wars Comic book art that came off the line first week in November and the playfield is fine.

But what is important is when the was playfield made, not when the machine was assembled. You could have a machine assembled in November with a playfield made much earlier or not.

I think it was always hit or miss so it will never truly be known

I totally agree with both of these statements. Just stating that my game was completed November 7th and has new style playfield. Cabinet build was October.
I would hope going forward they are not using old stocks of defective or inferior parts, but I guess time will tell.

That's my concern as well. It seems like Stern didn't change anything with their playfield clear process but instead simply removed artwork around playfield posts to prevent chipping. We are still seeing Stern playfields dimple more severely than ever before, hence the mini moon crater comments.

If other smaller companies can produce better quality playfields then there's no excuse for Stern not to match or exceed that quality. Stern should want to do that if they claim to take pride in the products they build. Why wouldn't Stern want to put out a better quality playfield after numerous price increases and other cost cutting moves?

Overall it's hard to want to buy a $6k-$9k+ product from a company that is basically taking a "We don't give a crap about quality" stance. Every other pinball company out there but Stern seems to care more about product quality.