I installed a PF protector on a NIB GBLE. (Ball never touched the PF) It took about 4 hrs to install it. Some games it can take longer. (CV took 6hrs) It is the solution to dimpling on the new style PFs. It does change the game play in a subtle way which never bothered me. They are much easier to remove. You just cut them off. I have not had any dirt under the protectors on my games but it really is proportional to how clean you keep you games. I like fast game play so I tend to angle my PFs more and the protectors speed up the game play a bit more on top of that.

Yes lots people do when they see how the balls beat the shit out of these new style PFs in their NIB $10,000 game. They do not know nor do they care about subtle changes in game play. Lots of people that have really nice older games that want to play the shit out of them and don't have to worry about insert damage, having to install Cliffy's (which also change game play) ect...

There are games like MB that if you have a really nice original PF you can play the heck out of it and never worry about PF wear. The Drac Trac in particular. You could Mylar that area also. Mb has serious wear issues with the (sensitive) Monster and Instrument inserts. Once those areas are protected, Game On!

Here is one for ya: I have had my MM for about 4 years now. Played it like normal but always had problems with hitting all the switches all the time in the orbits. Also had problems with lots of pop outs on Merlin's Hole (with a Cliffy) . Installed a protector on it last year. No more issues with the switches on the orbit. No more issues with Merlin's hole (still using the Cliffy) . The machine actually plays better with the protector. Can't really explain the orbit improvement.

I think the protectors are fine for some games and situations and not so much for others. I have an HEP CV (2009) with a Clear Coated Play Field. I do not have a protector on it and do not plan on putting one on it. The game has 10 years on the restoration and the pf still looks perfect like looking into a lake.

Most of the time factory Mylar is removed because it is trashed, coming off, yellowed, blistered, ugly, ect... not for game play. I have removed lots of Mylar for these reasons. I have also installed Mylar to protect an entire Play Field and the game played the same.

No, not in IMHO. If there is a difference it is so subtle that I do not notice it. The obvious drawback to Mylar is removal is a PITA. The complete Mylar doesn't look as nice as a PF protector.

You can find half price deals on them on Ebay ($69.00). The half price ones have a small flaw (generally a scratch) . I have bought a couple and never could find the flaw.

There should be a spot that is somewhere close to a post where you could just tuck in the protector under the post and tighten it down. I have done a bunch of them for myself and others and there always seems to be a place where you can clamp it under something. You just need to make sure that the protector doesn't bind and raise up.