What's the best way to straighten out warped plastics?
Heat: What temp?
Sandwich: Between what, amount of weight?
Duration: ?
Or is there another way?
What's the best way to straighten out warped plastics?
Heat: What temp?
Sandwich: Between what, amount of weight?
Duration: ?
Or is there another way?
Put the toaster over on 250. Put the plastics on parchment paper and put it on a clean pan. Watch and when they start to relax take them out. Get a phone book, bible, Steve Jobs book, Mr Pinball price guide, whatever. Put another piece of parchment paper on top of the plastics and place in the book. Add some wieght on top like another book and wait 10 minutes and they should be good to go.
Jim's way works to if you have some experience. He is a pro. To much heat and bubbles will form and youll want to smash someone in the face.
Quoted from exflexer:Put the toaster over on 250. Put the plastics on parchment paper and put it on a clean pan. Watch and when they start to relax take them out. Get a phone book, bible, Steve Jobs book, Mr Pinball price guide, whatever. Put another piece of parchment paper on top of the plastics and place in the book. Add some wieght on top like another book and wait 10 minutes and they should be good to go.
I've done like this too and it worked like a champ.
Quoted from way2wyrd:Hot summer driveway and a glass sandwich
Looks like you'll have to tackle the project in July.
one up on the heat gun trick. I did it in the superman i have and it worked out great. Just dont leave it on there too long you can discolor the plastic.
Depending on the plastic (PF, ramp, etc) I use a heat gun and molding tools. Most of the PF plastics are easy enough to flatten, the ramps and other than flat plastics are where it gets a little more tricky. Just TAKE YOUR TIME!! There is no reason to rush the job, like stated above if you leave the heat on the plastic too long it will start to bubble...no, thats not experience talking...okay, maybe once. Good Luck.
Anyone know A good temperature to target? I have a nice heat gun from Home Cheapo, a Riobi that allows you to dial in the heat setting.
I wouldn't go very hot with it....
I have 100% success using my wife's hair dryer set to "high" which isn't very hot compared to a heat gun. So I would suggest "low" to start with!
Quoted from exflexer:Hot summer driveway and a glass sandwich
Looks like you'll have to tackle the project in July.
Hell it gets to 100 around here in May anymore
I tried doing this procedure on 350 and it softens the plastic to fast. Start with low heat and work up if using a gun. Spend a few extra bucks and get a heat gun that you can dial in the temperature.
This seems to be the method I have seen, worked on mine also. I think the guy from this webpage is also a pinsider? Hope he does not mind me posting the link, his webpage has great resto tips.
http://home.kooee.com.au/brainsnap/flatteningwarpedplastics.html
I agree with the wife's hair dryer method. My preferred method. I've tried using heat gun but have bubbled the plastic edges even being careful. Just plain too hot for the plastics. Heat gun does work well removing side rails that are taped to cab without damage to the artwork.
I've heard too many stories of burned, bubbled, or otherwise ruined plastics. One guy was using a heat gun, looked away for a few seconds when his dog distracted him...nice toasty bacon plastic.
This is the safest and only method I'll use...
http://www.team-em.com/FlatteningPlastics/Procedure.htm
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The new place for pinball repair info
We will not be able to use that method for a while here. I still have 4' of ice on my driveway and it is just reaching the 40'2 during the day.
Quoted from absocountry2:We will not be able to use that method for a while here. I still have 4' of ice on my driveway and it is just reaching the 40'2 during the day.
Ya, but you're up to 14 hours and 44 minutes of daylight now, and it's going to get all the up to 49 degrees tomorrow!
You're the acid test for this technique. You're the answer to the trivia question, "can you flatten plastics using only the sun as a heat source in mid April in Alaska?"
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The new place for pinball repair info
My wife's hair dryer and a plate as a deflector behind it - key for keeping enough heat in the area you want. Flattens them safely in less than 2 minutes each.
I tried the heat gun method and messed up a plastic. It only takes a few seconds of distraction. Did the same for a ramp. Basically I have had no luck with heat and plastic. I would suggest buying a set of cheap used plastics and practice on them before trying this on a game you care about.
Great result!
I described a safer (bad things can happen at 225F or 250F if your timing isn't perfect) but just as effective method here:
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-safely-flatten-warped-playfield-plastic
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