I am contemplating buying a woodrail with a playfield in decent but by no means excellent condition. If I do get it, I would end up replacing the backglass and plastics. (The backglass is shot, and the plastics aren't much better.) Going that far, I'd be interested in having the playfield brought up to a reasonable shape. My prior attempts at playfield restoration have convinced me that this work is not my forte. So, who is doing playfield restorations of this sort and at what price? As I said, the wear on this playfield is not extensive, mainly three fairly small areas (two about an inch square by the lower bumpers and the other surrounding an upper bumper), most of which are a single color--that is, where they aren't worn to the wood. Anyway, as I consider buying the pin, I am wondering what my options might be. As always, thanks in advance for your advice.

Yikes! No, that wouldn't be worth it.

It's a Williams Gusher. I like my pins to be nice (say, 9 on a 10 scale), but they don't have to be fully restored. The problem with this one is that I would have to put several hundred dollars into it anyway, so I was tempted to consider either going further or else pulling back entirely. I don't have a pic here, but I can post one later. This would be a no-brainer if I wasn't having to ship it halfway across the country. If I could pick it up myself, the deal would definitely be worth pursuing.

Wow. This playfield is way, way better than what he had to work with. I tried calling Michelle B. today to get a shipping quote. She wasn't there, so I sent an email. We'll see whether that puts this in the "just too expensive to bother" category or not.

This isn't a great picture, but it's what I have. You need to zoom in to see the wear well:
Gusher playfield.jpg
And yes, I do know that the flippers are upside down! Obviously, it needs new plastics, posts and rubber.

I agree, which is why I wouldn't want to do it myself. I'd have it done only if I believed that someone was likely to do an excellent job. I know it's possible, but I also realize that it is likely to be expensive. I was curious to explore the options.

P.S. The worst wear is in the "Advances" yellow patches near the lower bumpers.

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. I am still waiting on pics of the cab. Assuming it is in reasonably good shape...I am going to have to figure out where to put it!

Just received some pics of the cab. It is more scratched up than I expected. Hmmm...
Gusher side cab.jpgGusher cab close up.jpgGusher front.jpgGusher head.jpg
What do you guys think? Par for the course? Better to pass and look for another example later?

Well, if you put it like that...

Actually, it is an honest question. All of my other pins, including my EMs, are in considerably better condition than this one. Perhaps I just need to adjust my expectations.

I don't think so. He has had this one for decades.

You bet. Glad it's found a good home.

The pin was close to Rod but a long way from me in a fairly remote location. The likely cost of shipping from the sticks meant that the deal would make far more sense for someone living up that way who could pick it up. Given that fact, I was willing to back out. There are many, many more pins out there. My problem is definitely not in having too few choices!