Check out this guys smear method:

http://www.pinrepair.com/restore/2001pf.htm

Not really sure if what you are describing is planking. Planking lines would be short (inch or two), not running from front to back. Photo would help a lot.

If it is planking, the question is whether it's just in the clear or is down into the paint. Wet the area with some Naptha and see if the lines disappear.

That looks planky

If it's into the paint, which it appears to be (test as I described above), either live with it, send it out to be professionally redone or find a replacement playfield, if you can. There's really no in-between choice. Personally, I think the smear method (unless you perfectly match paint) looks like sh*t. Even in that case you'll have to sand out the raised areas, so it's a major project.

That's cracking in the clear coat and you should be loving life in my opinion. Planking to me is when the wood grain is raised and I don't see that in your photos. What you have won't get worse in a home environment and game play will not be effected. You could sand and clear the entire playfield to get rid of that but my advice is learn to live with it.

Here's a picture of planking in my view.

Kim
http://www.WrongCrowdProductions.com/

2001B16.JPG

Go for it. I know how the smallest details can bug me. And this could be a skill for you to learn and use going forward.

That said, I keep going back to your pictures and realized something else. - There are no freaking ball swirls! If your entire playfield looks like that it is a low played, well loved, 35 year old machine. And those magnified photos can play tricks on perception... My recommendation is you wax it, play it and be very proud of it.

Best wishes in whatever you do.

Kim
http://www.WrongCrowdProductions.com/

I think you may be right on the cracking Mr68. It kept bugging me that it just doesn't look like planking I've seen before.

g43 crazy, I always use Naptha, but I would think alcohol would work fine for the test. Since California doesn't like Naptha I'm going to have to switch myself. The point is to apply something wet (not water) that will smooth out the light defraction. If it is a cracked clear, it should become almost invisible.

Yep, looks like normal crazing in the lacquer coat, though pretty minimal. IMO it is way not worth it to try to sand and re-clear, just wax and play and enjoy.

Use Naphtha as your "clear test".

You don't want anything like water or alcohol that could soak into the cracks and expand the wood fibers. This would make the planking worse overnight.

Good point. Any suggestions for those of us who can no longer buy Naptha?

How come you cant buy Naptha anymore? I thought I saw some at the hardware store the other day. I am in CA as well.

At Home Depot it is labeled Naphtha VM&P.

None of the stores around me sell it. It might just be LA and Riverside counties. It has something to do with the smog control district. For example, you can still buy it above 3,000 feet, even in LA county, for another year or so.