I have a bunch of machines in my shop. Some get played more often then others. The shop gets dusty because we live in the high desert. How often should the playfields be cleaned and waxed? Should it be based on number of plays or months? And what about changing out the balls, never thought about that before either??
C. 300 months
D. You’re lazy
E. Both C and D
I’m gonna go E over here. I used to love doing A and B too, a freshly waxed Steve Ritchie game is such a rush. Now I give my rag a couple of pumps of Wizards shine in between repairs and call it a day. I do use that rubber cleaner that PBL sells frequently and clean or replace my balls often.
Time or number plays aren't good measures. Too many variables.
Clean when you see ball trails in the inlanes. Most modern games will show dirt in the inlanes first. Wax older games when they start slowing down. New games don't need wax. Just keep them clean. Wipe the balls down good, then look at them closely in bright light. If they're tarnished or have any nicks, get new ones. Low carbon pinballs only for games with magnets.
You will get a thousand different thoughts about this on here. I generally clean, wax and replace balls every 500 plays. For me, this is every 4-6 months. Find what works best for you and how clean and fast you like your games.
I'm surprised at how many people must keep track of the number of games played.
I don't pay attention to the counters or audits, so I have no idea how many games are played.
For me it's the same as "How often do you put gas in your car?", which is "When it needs it."
Quoted from Timberhusk:I have a bunch of machines in my shop. Some get played more often then others. The shop gets dusty because we live in the high desert. How often should the playfields be cleaned and waxed? Should it be based on number of plays or months? And what about changing out the balls, never thought about that before either??
As needed.
Depends on the game. Always when i shop them. Usually if the glass is off for repairs. And sometimes if they look dirty.
Almost never these days. I used to clean and wax every six months or so, but you just don't need to. I wait for pretty good dirt trails in the inlanes.
Contrary to the advice of many, you don't need to change out balls much either. Many 90s games were routed heavily with the same balls for years. No issues. Modern clear is way thicker.
Once every 2-3 years and I keep them real clean in between with simple wipe and novus 1 every once in a while. I also am not playing tons of games, just a few a week usually.
Quoted from shovelhed:Once a year, you have a clearcoat on all your pins.
This. I usually do it before each show...ie tpf and after to clean the crud off from massive play they receive during the show.
I used to clean and wax and new balls once a year. I have stopped waxing clear coated games. I clean at the very least once a year with novus 1. Star Wars has been getting tons of play so I have cleaned it like 3 times already since March when I got it NIB. Balls every year or so or when they look suspect. I still wax my EMs and would wax any game without clear coat or that has wear.
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