Quoted from RobertWinter:

It's definitely happening with Munsters. Pictures from some of the problem areas on my Munsters Pro below. These issues were present immediately after unboxing.
I have also seen in-person similar bubbling/lifting on other Munsters Pros and LEs so mine is not an isolated case.
No chipping yet. Fingers crossed. Hesitant to move my outlane posts for fear of chipping/new bubbling.
I personally think it comes down to an ink/wood adhesion issue, not a clearcoat issue. Maybe a clearcoat over artwork reaction. There's no artwork under the sling posts on Munsters and the clear is not lifting under those. And if you take a close look at the outlane posts, it only seems to be lifting where there is artwork, not where there's only wood with clear over it.
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

Quoted from jellikit:

New JP2 on route, washers no bubbling.[quoted image][quoted image]

Quoted from libtech:

I wonder what percentage of Stern playfields are affected

Quoted from goingincirclez:

Ouch. Man that really sucks. But I guess since it took the art with it we can assume the ink-to-clear bond is good.
Has it been determined if the art "ripples" along with the clear? Or is the clear rippling above flat art? If the art ripples, it would seem to indicate an issue with adhesion to the wood. But most posts don't seem to have much line art around them to conclusively tell.

Quoted from Spyderturbo007:

I've seen countless people complain that their machine is chipping and cracking, but I've seen just a few that have said they have contacted their distributor? Am I the only one that immediately reached out to their distributor?

Quoted from HookedonPinonics:

Not trying to downplay this issue. Again I have a TNA with some chipping around the star posts. I found these pictures pretty interesting. This was posted on the Dallas Facebook pinballs for sale. It is a location TNA that was on free play and pretty beat to shit. Selling for around $4750. Look at the drop targets and the amount of wear around them. Scoop is pretty bad as well. However, look at the chipping around the posts. Looks like mine but this one for sure has had 1000s upon 1000s of plays just based on the wear by the targets and because it being on free play on location. The wear is also because they are probably not changing the balls and waxing it. The wear around the posts does not look like it is getting worse which is good news. I have placed the neoprene washers under my posts to prevent further damage but this makes me feel a little better. Again still no excuse for the bad clear and hope things change.[quoted image][quoted image]

Quoted from Lamprey:

Have you read Stern's warranty? If not, you might want to read as it (the express warranty) doesn't cover playfields.
I'm guessing you mean the implied warranty. If so, I sure hope hey step up and get it fixed/replaced!

Quoted from Vyzer2:

Tough tough situation for all involved. My suggestion is and this is not an end all be all solution, the manufacturers should accept documentation of any pooling or bubbling on the pf, with pictures and descriptions. The owner should receive a written confirmation that the documentation was received and put on file. If the pooling does not chip in a period of time, perhaps 2 years (?) then things remain as it is. If the pooling results in chipping then the manufacturer should offer a fully populated PF. The pooling is concerning but if it remains as it is around posts or elsewhere, it’s not that bad cosmetically and certainly no game changing of the flight of the ball. Hey, it’s one idea of I guess dozens.

Quoted from Who-Dey:

Went to a barcade yesterday and here's what i saw.
JP-pooling and chipping
BK3-pooling
IMDN-pooling and a piece of clearcoat flaking off in the middle of the playfield
Deadpool- didnt look but im sure it probably had issues as well.
At my house:
Munsters-pooling
IMDN-pooling and chipping after 600 plays

Quoted from PtownPin:

Has anyone heard back from Stern on this issue? Its not much, but it at least JJP is recognizing that its an issue and have provided free play fields to people who are affected....has Stern done anything?

Quoted from BOBCADE:

It’s been going on for over a year across multiple titles so that weighed heavy in my personal decision. I feel for the distributors with LE allotments but otherwise must have had a clue this has been the new norm that would eventually catch up with them.

Quoted from Chrizg:

I have 2 Munsters with worse bubbles than this new JP.
Attached is why everyone is worried about these bubbles. This pic is of my Iron Madien and what these bubbles will turn into with heavy play.[quoted image]

Quoted from Chambahz:

And there’s a whole other interesting topic of discussion. Pooling.
ASSUMING it’s only ever pooling, and doesn’t get to chipping, should Stern pay to replace entire playfields? Not in my opinion.
Should they replace playfields with minor chipping near a post? I sure hope they do, cause I like my playfields perfect -but that’s the “collector” approach that I have. Assuming the chip doesn’t affect the gameplay, and the game still works as intended, why would a company offer to pay the costs of replacing playfields? Especially when they’ve previously syptated that playfields aren’t under warranty.
Only if it drastically affects future sales, is the answer.
Damn, I seriously hope we never get to paying for extended warranties as is common in some industries.

Quoted from Chambahz:

He accused me of it earlier so I’m just having fun with it.
Thinking more about your view point, I’ll say this:
You have an unrealistic level of expectation from Stern.
They have clearly stated that playfields are not under warranty.
You insist on a perfect playfield.
Neither of you is “wrong” but you have not agreed on this matter.
You appear to feel that Stern is obligated/indebted to provide perfect playfields and that anything less than 100% should be replaced at their expense. Remember that this is Stern pinball we’re talking about. It’s not Sony, Apple, or Toyota.
Yes, they are the biggest pinball manufacturer, but this is an industry that most people don’t even know exists.
There are no Ferrari’s in the parking lot.
Given this inability to agree on a perfect playfield, it’s really best for you to avoid buying new in box, and instead to wait and buy a second hand game that you can inspect, ensuring it’s to your satisfaction.
There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s not meant to belittle or insult you so I hope you can appreciate the observation.
Quite frankly, it shouldn’t matter one bit to me. But I get annoyed when some people (not saying you), can’t understand that Stern is already offering more than they have committed to, and then try to call them out for lying, sweeping things under the rug, etc etc. They may not be operating to your level of expectation, but that doesn’t mean that they’re deceitful or doing anything wrong.

Quoted from Chambahz:

I don’t think anyone here would disagree with you. Good luck with a replacement. I do hope that Stern considers this on a “case by case basis” and rules in your favour.
Heads up though: the return decision and process is typically quite lengthy. Doesn’t happen quickly.

Quoted from Talon2000:

Few hundred more plays and it just get's worse. Still no word from Stern, phone calls and emails. Still waiting.[quoted image][quoted image]

Quoted from Vinnie:

I don't think I'm being unreasonable to not expect this on a playfield less than 3 weeks old. I'm not being a "perfectionist" I understand there is wear and tear in pinball. But this is clearly defective and Stern should stand behind their product. Virtually every post on my playfield has pooling/blistering/creep or whatever you want to call it. Most of these are probably going to chip considering how early the first chip happened. Unfortunately I didn't know about these issues before I made my purchase or I never would have. I could not in good faith recommend anyone buying NIB right now. Hopefully Stern comes through for me and changes my mind but as of right now this was my first and will be my last NIB Stern.[quoted image]

Quoted from PW79:

What if Stern didn’t want to send you a populated PF because they knew it would chip again?
Better do that PF swap now so you can get a 3rd if that’s the case

Quoted from o-din:

That might have been the way I would have chosen to go.

Quoted from Tranquilize:

Finally had the time to document and email Stern about my IMDNLE blistering. Anyone hear back from them aside from the guy with the Jurassic park chipping etc?

Quoted from tilted81:

That playfield is updated like the jp’s Too correct? I haven’t lifted any posts on my maiden yet, but I think it’s solid artwork...

Quoted from Talon2000:

Yes for maiden.
I highly doubt it, probably left over stock, or seconds

Quoted from JodyG:

Shame on people for accepting an unpopulated playfield as an acceptable remedy. Stern sold a defective product, end of story. Their options are to come pick their machine up and send a new one, or send someone out to swap in a populated playfield. Anything less is enabling Stern to produce even crappier products because they know they can get away with it.

Quoted from Fytr:

For what it is worth my distributor (Nitro) submitted my IMDNLE pictures to Stern last Wednesday and first thing this morning I received word that Stern has agreed to send me a replacement unpopulated playfield.
So maybe their process has matured and PF supply improved, at least with regard to IMDN.

Quoted from Happy81724:

We will see, I went with a large distributor so maybe that matters. Either way, if they do nothing I won’t buy another NiB from them again. I bought three this year and I know I’m small potatoes but it’s not bad for just a huo.
Luckily it’s not super visible as long as it doesn’t get any worse. It’s behind the angle.

Quoted from PinRob:

Has anybody ever found the chipped off part of the playfield in the game after it happens?

Quoted from okgrak:

Is this considered “pooling”?[quoted image]

Quoted from Tranquilize:

Unboxed my imdn pf. What is an acceptable amount of warpage? It looks significant along the edge, not as bad when laid flat. It's a bit twisted too, but not much.
I've never owned just a pf, so I have no idea if this is normal.[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

Quoted from iceman44:

More clear, more dimples! JP and Elivira, less clear less deeper "dimpling". Duh.
Not an issue on Bally Williams game? BS
Super wood back then? Ever see a chewed up shooter lane. Yeah, lmao.
Don't put on Cliffys, protectors or mylar on your new Bricks game, you don't need it! LOL
Let's see what that shooter lane looks like after a few thousand plays without it.

Quoted from FYMF:

Lowry?

Quoted from Colehvac1:

In my case its unpopulated, i was also told stern wants the old one back. Im going to do the swap then send back the old one as long as they include a return receipt, they said they would. I think making customers wait 6-12 months or more is crappy, this kind of treatment is on purpose, starts at the top.

Quoted from gblack:

That’s what I would expect.

Quoted from JY64:

LOL whenever you zoom in past about the %60 point on a phone the pic gets grainy and if you feel the need to zoom in to try and find imperfections than you are the issue not Stern

Quoted from Yelobird:

I would define that as a bold company move personally.