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(Topic ID: 144198)

Mirror Blades - 50's style

By Shapeshifter

8 years ago

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16 posts
12 Pinsiders participating
Latest reply 8 years ago by Shapeshifter
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#1 8 years ago

Shapeshifter

Pinside member

13y 150K 10,466 8 144

So, most will know how popular mirror blades are with SS pins.

Well, it didn't really occur to me that Gottlieb 1950's woodrails have mirror blades on them but because they are so dull, dirty etc it is not really a feature and I hadn't paid much attention to this part of the game.

Anyway, one picture is of a set that were re-chromed ( already on the game when I bought ). They really do reflect light nicely.

Other photos are of how they usually look like. And one set I had to clean with metal polish and soft cloth as they had rusted. It was only while cleaning I thought........should I be doing this on all my games? Do others do this? It is keeping game original and when new they must have really looked great.

So, I am undecided if I have to polish or leave as is?! Thoughts???

IMG_9149.jpg

IMG_9148.jpg

IMG_9147.jpg

IMG_9144.jpg

#2 8 years ago

MCD

dasvis

Pinside member

Salem, OR

12y 101K 4,796 11 16

Re-chrome them!

#3 8 years ago

JJK

hawkmoon

Pinside+ Addict

9y 84,650 3,117 13 8 1 1

Good job,polish of course!!!You want those gems to shine as bright as they once did!!!

#4 8 years ago

GTB

DirtFlipper

Inactive member

Twin Cities, MN

12y 43,900 6,190 38

I take them off and clean and polish. Prior to those, Gottlieb painted those areas with silver paint.

#5 8 years ago

Shapeshifter

Pinside member

13y 150K 10,466 8 144

Quoted from DirtFlipper:
I take them off and clean and polish. Prior to those, Gottlieb painted those areas with silver paint.

Good to know

There is always more work to do on these games - never ends!

And I wonder if pbr do the nails that hold them on? Will ask.

#6 8 years ago

???

KenLayton

In Memoriam

Olympia, WA

12y 83,400 5,965

Polish or re-chrome them. Most of the machines did not have many light bulbs for playfield G.I. so that reflectivity really helps brighten up the machine.

#7 8 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

11y 111K 5,311

Quoted from KenLayton:
Polish or re-chrome them.

Yep.

Ken

#8 8 years ago

DMF

dtown

Pinside member

10y 76,900 1,292 2 20

Shiit! I never even noticed them on the 1958 Sunshine I got sitting in my garage. Can't wait to shine them up next spring.

image.jpeg

1 week later

#9 8 years ago

Shapeshifter

Pinside member

13y 150K 10,466 8 144

Realized I am not that happy with my finish - just used soft cloth.

So, anyone know if these should be nickel or chrome plated?

And if cleaning/polishing by hand - any tips to polish the chrome?

Use a buffer on end of a drill? Any compounds? Presumably not wire wool or anything that scratches?

#10 8 years ago

illawarra92

Pinside member

Bulli

12y 85,800 956 36 1

i had a custom set made for my egg head and reckon they look great327472-i.jpg

2 months later

#11 8 years ago

BID

Mahoyvan

Pinside member

10y 60,650 1,151

Shapeshifter, have you had any further results?

#12 8 years ago

SteveinTexas

Pinside member

10y 83,050 1,541

The finish looks like a dipped galvanized finish, but even if a zinc electro plate I am unsure they would have really shined.

I made the mirror side rails for my nags after seeing illawara92's cool egg head custom set in an earlier post. (still have two Nags sets for sale.)

Nags_Side_rails_(resized).JPG
Nags_side_rails_2_(resized).JPG

Post last edited 8 years ago.

#13 8 years ago

Shapeshifter

Pinside member

13y 150K 10,466 8 144

Quoted from Mahoyvan:
Shapeshifter, have you had any further results?

I polished a few more but only about 5/10 as really they need to be taken off the game and for me to use a proper polisher - maybe later in the year!

#14 8 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

So cool to see this thread....I always wondered about the dull metal sides...looks outstanding!

Now, when, I get home, I'm going to see what Whoa Nellie will look like with blades!
No second level features to hide a nice reflection.

Thanks for the inspiration!

#15 8 years ago

CJP

cpiel

Pinside member

Allentown, PA

11y 42,400 208 14

Anyone know what game or month/year they moved from silver paint to metal strips? I know my 1953 was before the metal.

#16 8 years ago

Shapeshifter

Pinside member

13y 150K 10,466 8 144

Interesting question as my 1952 Coronation has them. My 1954 Lovely Lucy doesn't.
So, some games didn't have them.
But, first game - not sure.

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