Great freakin game choice-
Turn down the trough eject and apply protection to the shooter lane
Wax it, (if clear has cured enough)
Play it
Clean it a few times with a microfiber cloth
Play it
Wax it
Mod it

Mothers 3 carnuba or other carnuba wax is fine

Would not use novus 2 at all

The red flipper rubbers are ugly but work very well with that game…just play it-don’t build an entirely new pinball machine.

Shooter lane will chip if you do not apply some painters tape or multiple layers of (permanent) mylar, and turn down the trough eject by 50 percent-ish

I’m not following you tbutler6
Can you elaborate?
Start:
NiB - clean before play? Y/N
If Y then with what?

After 500 plays:
Clean? Wax? In what order and using what products?

# new coilstops

When you first set up the game there will be factory dust and grime all over the game (exaggeration here)

Wipe it down or vacuum it out, inspect the balls for rust, (two stern nibs had no issues here)

Then apply carnuba mothers 3 paste wax or other non abrasive

Finish updating code, inspecting game, level, then take off the wax.

When you play your first few games, not debris will show up, wipe it up. Get another beer.

If you keep it clean, you will never need to use novus

Check the rail guides for overtightening into clear coat, and heed the advice on the shooter lane

Other than clean, wax, shooter lane, play that thing!

Mothers 05550 California Gold Pure Brazilian Carnauba Wax Paste (Ultimate Wax System, Step 3) - 12 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002U2V1O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_B6FQQX7Q0WJ1M4A7JPMA

This stuff is ok…non abrasive. There may be better stuff

There has been a JP Prem on location in a family entertainment center here for almost two years, it has been on 12 hours per day and had its ass handed to it by greasy pizza hands and whatever else…nothing you can do to it at home will warrant armor unless you want it…the clear coat looks good around posts also fwiw.

I feel like i am talking to myself . Uh That sucks…

Setup the game and play it. Enjoy it. These things are meant to be in a commercial environment taking abuse from kids. They come with everything you need to play it right out of the box.

The only thing I would really recommend to change before playing is the trough eject power. Reduce it as low as it will go and still reliably eject the ball. For me on all my machines that is the lowest setting.

When I start seeing dirt lines I wipe the playfield with novus 1. That's a monthly cleaning. Every 6 months or so I check the balls for damage and clean with novus and wax the playfield.

Don't over think it. Play it and have fun. You won't hurt it.

I don’t wax just clean, sue me

There's a BIG difference. The ball will be like a tracer flying around the PF when it is waxed.

Advice on “accessories and protection”…. you are already taking this way too seriously. Pinball machines are super expensive toys that are meant to be played and then sold off when you get tired of them. Don’t believe the hype! Nearly anything and everything beyond a basic voltmeter, Novus and balls is a waste of $.

+1

I really doubt a game made and delivered with in say 30 days will have rust on the pinball. They have a coating of oil on them.

Are you mentioning flipper button guards? I use those supplied by the same outfit in Germany that supplies the playfield protectors. Saves your cab from finger nail gouges if that concerns you.

1: Only if its a stained and sealed concrete floor. Then use felt pads.
2: Not needed.
3: Depends. Could be worth it where a ball drops out of a wireform to an inlane. Could also use the cliffy protectors made for this. Generally not needed though.
4: Personal preference, none needed.
5: Clean with micro fiber and naphtha and then wax. Novus isnt needed unless the clear gets dull. I wax every 500 games and change balls cause they are cheap.
6: Black rubber makes the game look dirty faster. Natural rubber has different hardness based on color. Try the red and see what you like. Natural plays differently than synthetic rubber. Easy to change and cheap. Lots of options so find one you like.
7: No.
Hope this helps. Everyone does their own thing so find what works best for you and go with it. Also, rotate flipper and sling rubbers around a quarter turn every hundred games and wipe down with naphtha.
8: Have fun!

Jesus. What kind of animal is playing if there are fingernail gouges? My advice is dont let your werewolf friends play once the transform.

Laughed at that myself. Your supposed to play it not have sex with it.

Only thing I never used from Stern is the balls. They used to be notorious for being shitty. Balls are cheap, buy some good ones and put them in before first game. Just be sure to give them a good cleaning to get all the oil off before going in the game.

I always put in shooter lane cliffys in my new games. Other than that I really don't think you need anything else in a home setting. I've got a MET that I bought new over 6 years ago and the scoop still looks brand new.

Like others said, give it a wipe down every month or so with a microfiber. Play the hell out of it. Enjoy.

hopefully you get a good playfield. Mine has issues.