Doctor Who
Bally, 1992I am currently working through a Doctor Who pinball I recently purchased. I have now got to the mini playfield and I have noticed that someone previously has used grease on the main bracket instead of silicone grease.
Has anyone else had the same issue and if so what was the technique used to clean the grease off. I was going to use some degreaser and wash it off with water or a damp rag but I did not want to get to a stage where it starts to rust out either.
I think you are correct. In this case they have used a grease that is not silicone based. My understanding is it should be a silicone based grease as this will not collect dirt and dust. I was looking to clean the bracket and then use silicone grease although not sure the best way to clean it.
There is an amazing tutorial on how to clean and adjust this aggravating assembly. Silicone grease recommended I believe, that’s what I remember using. Alcohol should work well to get all the old dirty grease off.
http://www.pinballsupernova.com/images/TheDoctorWhoMiniPlayfieldv1.2.pdf
While you have it apart I recommend replacing all the target optos to reduce the chance of having to pull it out again soon after, and make sure the interrupters are all clean. Also get an AD/DC power transformer and put a proper connector on it to run the motor for testing before putting it back in, that has saved me time in the past.
Watch your fingers!!
Take it apart, clean and regrease it. I recommend Super Lube grease.
The generally accepted definitive guide to the mini playfield (dis)assembly can be found here:
http://www.pinballsupernova.com/images/TheDoctorWhoMiniPlayfieldv1.2.pdf
Agree with all.
That old grease turns into concrete. Get that old stuff off if it really bothers you but I would not sweat it too much. Get it as clean as you can, put on the new lube and call it a day. I like the silicone spray.
While the brackets are out: look for any chow marks that look like it's cutting into the metal. As long as they are straight the lube does not do much. If there's signs of grinding ... that needs to be resolved.
faz
Quoted from pinball_faz:Agree with all.
That old grease turns into concrete. Get that old stuff off if it really bothers you but I would not sweat it too much. Get it as clean as you can, put on the new lube and call it a day. I like the silicone spray.
While the brackets are out: look for any chow marks that look like it's cutting into the metal. As long as they are straight the lube does not do much. If there's signs of grinding ... that needs to be resolved.
faz
Thanks to all. All your feedback helps me with what I need to get done on the weekend.
Great link to the Mini Playfield repair instructions.
Does the silicone spray work ok compared to the silicone grease.
Quoted from martymart:Thanks to all. All your feedback helps me with what I need to get done on the weekend.
Great link to the Mini Playfield repair instructions.
Does the silicone spray work ok compared to the silicone grease.
Here is my 2 cents on the spray versus grease. When I had my mini playfield out, I first tried the silicone spray, ran it up and down for hours and then cleaned it. Then applied silicone grease, I then ran it for the same amount of time and just saw a bigger improvement in action of movement as far as smoothness. No binding, less noise, more surface coverage than the spray. Again, this is no way an endorsement or recommendation for either product, just my experience with both products. Others may have have had great results with the spray product, I just tested both.
Quoted from martymart:Thanks to all. All your feedback helps me with what I need to get done on the weekend.
Great link to the Mini Playfield repair instructions.
Does the silicone spray work ok compared to the silicone grease.
Don't use the spray. It is messier and get in spots you
Don't want it to go.
Quoted from eyeamred2u:Here is my 2 cents on the spray versus grease. When I had my mini playfield out, I first tried the silicone spray, ran it up and down for hours and then cleaned it. Then applied silicone grease, I then ran it for the same amount of time and just saw a bigger improvement in action of movement as far as smoothness. No binding, less noise, more surface coverage than the spray. Again, this is no way an endorsement or recommendation for either product, just my experience with both products. Others may have have had great results with the spray product, I just tested both.
Great feedback and thanks for sharing your experience. I thought this may be the case with the spray. I think I will go with the grease based on this and see how it goes.
I used this, makes is super smooth and does not harden over time: https://www.amazon.com/Quicksilver-Mercury-Marine-Lubricant-Grease/dp/B001HWPZ6Y
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