(Topic ID: 289841)

Data East Batman Playfield Overlay?

By durgee7

3 years ago


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  • 39 posts
  • 13 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 1 year ago by flecom
  • Topic is favorited by 7 Pinsiders

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#1 3 years ago

Hey Everyone!

I am hoping to find someone in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area willing to help me print an overlay (png files) for my rough-looking Batman playfield. So far, I've reached out to 4 pinsiders that specialize in restoring playfields and even working on printing directly to playfields, but no luck. I think everyone is very busy, or they realize this restore is not worth the effort given the condition. I started taking the advice of a very helpful pinsider by reaching out to local sign printing shops. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten responses from those folks.
I've attached a collage photo with my playfied shown on the left. The right is a screenshot of a jpg file.

As always, I appreciate any support. I've read through all the batman restoration forums.

Thanks!

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#2 3 years ago

Finally making progress with a local printing company. They are going to look at the files tomorrow and provide an estimate on an overlay. In the meantime, I was inspired by Cary Hardy and built the rotisserie for Batman. The treated 4x4's were not planned but that's all I could find for that size at home depot. Now I need to plan for a clear-coating project in my garage. Wish me luck.

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1 week later
#3 3 years ago

The test print is fairly close to original. There are some slight registration issues that I'll need to accept. Still, the new overlay art will be a significant improvement. Lot's of work left to do.

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#4 3 years ago

I've hit a huge roadblock with the print company. There was some miscommunication on both sides and I had developed concerns on how the insert art would be printed. The black and white test print shows white within the inserts, and the text is included. Based on my last conversation with the print company, the overlay would be printed over a white vinyl, and the opacity of the white will likely not allow insert light to shine through. It looks like I have a choice. Either I remove all the areas of overlay that cover inserts, exposing the sanded-down and clearcoated inserts, I leave the overlay insert art and carefully cut around text to remove just the white area, or move on to another print company with capability to remove the opaque white within the inserts/text. This is a huge roadblack for the project. Definitely feeling dissapointed.

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4 weeks later
#5 2 years ago

Making progress!

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#6 2 years ago

I would be interested in an overlay, my playfield is beyond shot it almost looks like a whitewood

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#7 2 years ago
Quoted from durgee7:

Making progress!
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

looks great! Make sure you take really good care of the play field and inserts before putting down the overlay. I sanded it down progressively with finer grade until it was very smooth. Also put a light clear coat before putting down the overlay.

#8 2 years ago

Whatever happened to Panther Pinball (something like that) which was taking lists of people wanting to get this done? Thought I came across some pics of examples that were finished.

I reached out to him and never heard anything back... assuming others here did too?

#9 2 years ago
Quoted from Schusler:

Whatever happened to Panther Pinball (something like that) which was taking lists of people wanting to get this done? Thought I came across some pics of examples that were finished.
I reached out to him and never heard anything back... assuming others here did too?

Yeah, I think he got busy. I gave up on contacting him. I also tried contacting a few playfield restoration pros but didn't get very far past the initial communication.

#10 2 years ago

Had an even better overlay made. It doesn't have a clear vinyl film over the print. This will be the one I use for my project.

Update: 1 can of SprayMax 2k applied in 4 parts over 2 hours. I'll be sanding the clear next Wednesday, then wait 6 to 8 weeks before overlay install.

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#11 2 years ago

I went ahead and wet sanded the playfield followed by naptha cleaning, novus 2 application, and another naptha cleaning. Still need to clean all the white gunk from the holes. Also, I'm struggling to get some of the inserts polished with my novus 2 and microfiber cloth. Still a work in progress. On the positive side, the playfield has never felt smoother.

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2 weeks later
#12 2 years ago

It's been 3 weeks since Spraymax 2K was applied to my bare playfield. I'm making a custom playfield protector as insurance for my future clearcoat job. I know these PET-G things are not for everyone.

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1 week later
#13 2 years ago

Made a ton of mistakes today. I was trying to get this applied at the 4 week mark in order to get it ready for a clearcoat by next week. Weather is looking decent, and I was anxious. Since this is my first overlay install, I had lots of bubbles. I used the hinge method, applying the top half first. I ended up with bubbles right away and had to undo and reapply. The adhesive was so strong that it likely caused me to pull the vinyl with excess force, and you can see the top green bat inserts are not aligned. Bubbles were lessened after reapplying, and not too bad on the bottom half. Unfortunately, bubbles still show up and I was unable to shift them to any openings or edges. It's a mess, but looks decent from a distance

I now need to decide on redoing with another overlay (after waiting more time for possible spraymax outgassing), or pin prick the bubbles and salvage best I can. This really sucks.

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#14 2 years ago

I've been removing and popping bubbles. Now, I'm monitoring for adhesion issues. Some of the inserts have some adhesion issues that look like ghosting, so I'll make a very fine cut to remove any trapped air. The vinyl appears to be salvageable.

If I could do a poll, how many of you would rip this off (given the problems encountered) and start fresh? I do have my extra overlay as a backup. Also, this wasn't the overlay I planned to install based on my prior posts. I changed my mind and went with this one because it has a clear protective vinyl layer over the art.

If I don't replace with another overlay, I wonder how noticeable the top insert flaws (green bat symbols) will be during gameplay. I also wonder if the popped bubbles that have been flattened will show even after clearcoat. So many questions. I hate to waste this expensive print, but maybe it's best to start over? This is tough.

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#15 2 years ago

This looks absolutely incredible! It’s hard to see any major flaws from your photos but I say keep it.

You have to consider the next round may not go as smoothly as you hope either. When I did my EBD hardtop, I tried so hard to get my inserts to look perfect, ending up fudging two of them. With the glass on, and even more so with the game on, you can’t see it even if you’re trying to.

#16 2 years ago
Quoted from play_pinball:

This looks absolutely incredible! It’s hard to see any major flaws from your photos but I say keep it.
You have to consider the next round may not go as smoothly as you hope either. When I did my EBD hardtop, I tried so hard to get my inserts to look perfect, ending up fudging two of them. With the glass on, and even more so with the game on, you can’t see it even if you’re trying to.

play_pinball, you are too kind. That is probably feedback I needed to hear. I'm going to let this overlay adhesive set for a week and hopefully get started on the clearcoat step. Yeah, the inserts with the minor ghosting or bubbles was driving me crazy, but you make a good point regarding the potential mistakes on the next overlay.

#17 2 years ago

Here are more pics giving a better idea of the flaws. Bubbling has really come down a lot. I've been trying my best to remove them with pin-pricking but it's not perfect. I also went ahead and cut the remaining holes based on my pet-g template. The soldering iron was a nice option for burning the vinyl at screw holes.

I'm still annoyed that I stretched the vinyl at the top where those green inserts are located. Fortunately, they are at the far back of playfield. Also, I wonder how much work would be required to remove this overlay and clean/prep for playfield for a fresh vinyl. I'm giving this another week and a half to see if any more bubbles show, then I'll decide the next step.

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#18 2 years ago

I don’t know how comparable the adhesive is but when I had to redo my EBD hardtop, getting the adhesive off took about 15 hours of holding a hair dryer, scraping, and a whole bottle of goo gone. Pain. In. The. Ass.

Remember when you get the game back together it’ll be pretty tough to even seen those inserts.

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#19 2 years ago
Quoted from play_pinball:

I don’t know how comparable the adhesive is but when I had to redo my EBD hardtop, getting the adhesive off took about 15 hours of holding a hair dryer, scraping, and a whole bottle of goo gone. Pain. In. The. Ass.
Remember when you get the game back together it’ll be pretty tough to even seen those inserts.[quoted image]

That is what I thought. I can't imagine putting that much time into an overlay or hardtop removal, and with no guarantee the next install will be much better. That pic you show gives me hope. Thanks for sharing!

#20 2 years ago

Yeah man... given the options you have(or lack there of) and what you have to work I think it looks fine. Once you resemble and populate the playfield I think you’ll be happy with once you’re back up and flipping.

Having to choose between a blown out playfield or a fresh one that may not be “perfect”.... I’d choose the later. Keep going.

#21 2 years ago
Quoted from mad_carl:

Yeah man... given the options you have(or lack there of) and what you have to work I think it looks fine. Once you resemble and populate the playfield I think you’ll be happy with once you’re back up and flipping.
Having to choose between a blown out playfield or a fresh one that may not be “perfect”.... I’d choose the later. Keep going.

Appreciate the feedback, mad_carl. Also, I'm diggin' the Dennis Nedry avatar.

#22 2 years ago

It's been 1 week since installation of the overlay. Bubbles are no longer forming. I should probably wait a little longer. I'm pushing my luck with the weather. The upcoming week is as good as it gets for this summer. Do I take a chance and clearcoat this weekend, or wait a second week for any residual outgassing? Decisions, decisions.

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#23 2 years ago

Day one of Spraymax 2k. Light coats applied 15 minutes apart. Took me a few hours to get through a can. Tomorrow will be heavier coats, and will hopefully take much less time.

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#24 2 years ago

The final 3 coats were applied today. I feel good about this process. No bubbling of the vinyl so far. That gives me some hope.
Now, I will wait 1 week to wet sand, then let it set for a number of weeks (maybe 6 or more) before polishing. We'll see. Any tips are welcome!

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#25 2 years ago

It will be 1 week on Sunday since spraying the last coat of spraymax 2k. You can see orange peel in the attached photo. Good news is that the decal was preserved, and has a nice coating for additional protection. Now, I'm getting anxious. Do I leave the orange peel and start populating the bottom of playfield next weekend, or do I wet sand and polish for better results? I know...cutting corners is against Pinside culture, but I'm not looking forward to respraying this toxic stuff in the hot weather. In a perfect world, I would wet sand tomorrow, then polish a week or two later. I am lazy and impatient. I need to sleep on this decision.

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#26 2 years ago

Started wet sand process. I couldn't just wait for the next step. Now I have to decide if another coat is needed, or wait and polish at a later date. Even though it has that hazy look, it's not as bad as I thought.

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UPDATE: I let this dry off, and cleaned for 2 more coats. I'm not sure orange peel was eliminated on this 3rd overall spraymax application over the vinyl.

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#27 2 years ago

Ok, change of plans. Orange peel has returned in a big way. I really wanted to get this playfield populated before August but it might be best to let it cure for a few months. Then, I can wet sand with higher grit, then cut/polish for a nice shine. Spraymax 2k group has been really helpful with timelines. I just need to be more patient with this type of clear.

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2 weeks later
#28 2 years ago

Uldate 2:

Fixed GI issues by resoldering cold joints at back of PPB board. Added pinsound.

Update:

I didn't stick to the plan. Had to get this thing assembled to see if everything worked. I had purchased this pin in pieces, and I had no idea whether everything would work. I had a slight issue with the power board and CN1...so I repinned CN1 and swapped to a newer power supply board. Game works beautifully! Playfield looks better, but not the "perfect" we all seek. I'm planning to redo a spare batman playfield and stick to a much longer clearcoat curing schedule because there's no rush. Overall, I'm very happy this worked out. I'll let this installed playfield cure for 4 to 6 more weeks before playing heavily. I added a home-made playfield protector to prevent this test game (see video) from ruining the clearcoat. I may end up ditching the protector when I've perfected the clearcoat process.

Thank you to everyone for your support with the overlay install! I needed all my Pinside buddies to get this done.

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1 month later
#30 2 years ago

Does anyone have any Batman overlays yet for purchase I’m in need of one for my playfield I see you did an awesome job with your any chance they would print another ?

3 months later
#32 2 years ago

Wow Your pin look great!

Thanks for the link ill order one for sure my playfield need a new one

1 month later
#33 2 years ago

You did a fantastic job. I’m thinking on picking up a Batman data East but it’s in pieces and the playfield is worn out badly at the bottom half and because no one had an overlay I kinda declined it for the time being but I’d be interested in an overlay if you get any other made.

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#34 2 years ago

Been on pinside for a little while but just decided to get more involved with the pinball community. I have owned a DE Batman since 2008. My first pins purchased for $800. The playfield was in tough shape. Being a real novice at the time I did some quasi-hack repairs on the playfield. Went on to performing a full tilt (sorry for the pun) renovation with replacing almost all the coils, sleeves, some linkages, new flipper assemblies, rubbers and new PPB and MPU boards. Did a complete changeover to LED's on playfield and backbox. I have just recently revisited my DE Batman and would like to be able to tackle redoing the playfield. I give max kudo's to you durgee7 for the huge project you managed with your playfield. Your work looks absoulutly great! I always imagined finding another DE Batman with a nicer playfield and creating one really nice machine but as time goes by that prospect looks slim. Big thanks durgee7 for the web link to the overlay for DE Batman. They look to be out of stock at the moment but the chance of an overlay available gives me new interest to redo my playfield. Thanks again durgee7 for your step by step progress, it gives me the needed knowlege and confidence for me to try and tackle a playfield do over.

1 month later
#35 2 years ago

Update: Looks like it sold out, or is no longer available at this time. That was fast.

I believe the overlay is currently available for purchase.

https://www.pinball.center/en/shop/pinball-parts-by-game/batman-data-east/11121/playfield-overlay-for-batman-data-east?number=66934

3 months later
#36 1 year ago

I just bought myself a DE Batman with the usually worn playfield and was wondering if anyone has a copy of the PNG file durgee7 (tried to reach him without luck) used as I know a good printer and the Pinball Center Overlay has been out of stock for a while now.

Pinball Greetings from Sweden!

5 months later
#37 1 year ago

any chance you could do a run of these? the pinball center ones have been sold-out forever and my playfield looks way worse than yours did, most of the art is basically gone

would love to get an overlay and a pet-g protector

1 week later
#38 1 year ago

Look like the overlay on pinball center is back in stock

#39 1 year ago

shipping from them to the US seems to be insane, I've emailed them several times last couple weeks and they won't answer... from other threads it seems they don't want to ship to the US without a forwarder at extreme expense

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