The decals will fade the fastest. Losing the Reds and Oranges first, It will happen gradually. If direct sunlight is getting to the Playfield Plastics, and other plastics, they to will fade too.

Yes the UV can fade the game. It won't happen overnight but eventually it will.

If the thick curtains or blinds need to be open, and that is the only suitable placement of your new games, then some covers would go a long way in protecting your pins. There are commercially available covers, also if a family member has a sewing machine, surly the could make some up. Some guys just use shipping blankets, but if you are showcasing your pin line up. You might want something more fancy.

Getting the decals off is a pain -- and it's really really easy to screw up application of new ones. Not worth it at all on a brand new pin -- esp. if you don't have experience with working on pins or doing decaling.

I went from 3 pins worth maybe $1500 at most total to.....well let's just say my retirement is safe in my basement. My wife is somewhat supportive....when I tell her what I'm doing

can't believe you pulled the decals off a brand new game. why even take it out of the box?

This thread keeps getting better.
Honestly man, are you on the road to recovery or on a big detour?
Great games and good luck!!

Closing the blinds won't be enough. People will always come in behind you and open them and light gets through most blinds anyway. I UV tented my windows (when I lost the war of the closed blinds to my wife, housekeeper, secretary, mother...basically everyone)...I hope it works. Sadly, it'll be some time before I know.

I'd recommend the UV tent (obviously, I've gambled with it) but make sure you get the real UV tent and not just tent (and don't trust the person you bought it from...make sure it is the real deal and not just tent...).

Also, installing decals is a nightmare. I saw one person attempt it years ago and it was a colossal failure. There is a reason people sell their faded games with uninstalled decals (proving decals means they don't have to take a hit for the faded cabinet, but leaving them uninstalled saves a monster amount of work that could be a total failure, meaning you need to buy more decals).

TigerLaw,
Is auto-spell-correct not your friend this week, or have you found u-v tents on windows to actually work pretty good?
If so, the good thing is that there is different tent sizes (1-person, 1-1/2, 2, 3, 4, 6, etc.) readily available to match up with the various window sizes.
Which have you found to work better, tinting or tenting your windows?

What the heck -- brand new decals just peel right off the game like a crappy sticker??! Did you use s heat gun or anything or did they just easily pull off?

These ^^^^^ are all good options to consider to help minimize u-v damage to cabinet & backbox artwork/decals/paint.

Before you get too carried away, you may want to check if there is another wall or another room that you can set up your pinball machines along that would not have sunlight hit the machines.

Another option most people don't think of is if you keep a Llama out in your yard, then the Llama can help block the sunlight coming through the window. Some Llamas like the sounds that come from pinball machines while being played, and they will stand outside the window and watch & listen.
llama-watches-pinball (resized).jpg

Enjoy your new machines.

Welcome to the hobby. I had a room in the basement that could fit 12. Then removed some duct work and then. . . BOOM 14 games! Of course that is not enough. . .found room for 4 more. . .then another 5 more. Now one resides in my bedroom, 2 in the upstairs living room and 2 in the garage. Hell I sold one back to the original owner because of a sob story and figured I could do fine without it. Then the title came up for sale in the same zip code I live in. . .well who can pass up on that? Time Machine is mine. . . all MINE! Ride the wave and enjoy it. . . I am. I just wish i bought a bigger house

This thread is like a car wreck. I can't look away....even when I want to!

Ok!....can't argue with that!

should have asked them to send you the vader sticker instead .

I always knew Llamas were cool.

You seriously need help.

Yeah you are screwed! I keep buying them myself but now things are getting tight and I am running out of space unless I sell something..

Yep...0 to 14 and 2 in the future coming soon, all in about 4 yrs.... out of space.. someone please help!

Pinball-is-great Where did you get the llama mod? Is that on Mezelmods? Lermods do you sell that?

Does it light up and do you need a new board to run it or what?

I just noticed that. Classic photo bomb.

A couple yrs ago or so, a cool Pinsider (possibly in Europe) mentioned that his Llama will stand by the window and watch and listen when it hears the pins being played.
I asked if he would post a pic, so he got his daughter or wife to take a pic while he played a game. Sure enough, the Llama likes pinball.

My WOZ is 25" wide and my GB is 22 1/4" wide. And WOZ is twice as heavy or at least felt that way. Get some help for this one you will need it.

DI is a standard size pin. WOZ is a wide-body.

DI and SW comparison

IMG_0670 (resized).PNG

IMG_0671 (resized).PNG

How big is your opening?

Whoa there buddy -- that sounds like an awefully personal question!

Ha ha

JJP are solid beasts so if you can get in home I would. As for the protectors I don't find them necessary for home use. Just keep your games and balls clean and waxed and you should have no issues.

Vids guide to waxing.

Carnuba wax, depends how anal you are and how long your ball times are perhaps.

Check and change balls when they get nicks, pits,or other surface defects that could damage Playfield.

Just tell her your using money you made on that Tron LE you sold

well you do have an awesome collection so just take the heat - it will pass - you could always remind her, it is not hookers, porn, blow, 6 hours at the golf course every saturday -it could be a lot worse....

There is only two people that need to know how long those funds could last and our wives aren't those 2 people

Where do you buy new balls? And wax?

Go to pinballlife.com for your basic supplies and parts. Marco specialties and Bay Area Amusements can be relied on for game specific parts.

Enjoy!