Quoted from Mr_Outlane:Yes, compressed air is how I got the particles out as well. I had the early thicker protector. Less user friendly for sure. But I did a full restore with PPS repro playfield. It was an early run with no light boards. What a PITA! Deadpool would be a walk in the park by comparison. I would imagine that protector on your F-14 is providing a smooth surface over the raised inserts. Unless you clamped them back down and epoxied them from underneath?
It is providing a really smooth surface. I re-levelled all of the inserts and glued but a few of the arrow heads have broken free anyway and started to raise again. If I was doing a full restore I would have replaced them completely as the colors are faded and some are even broken a bit. Probably from the heat of the lights. Even with the few raised inserts the protector levels that out no problem. There is work to do for sure if I decide to do it.
I can't compare how the new protectors perform against a normally clear coated playfield. I've never had the experience to play two to compare. Compared to a mostly mylar'd playfield tho it's very similar. The other machines I've played with protectors are a capt fantastic and a jungle lord both with the old style. No bueno