Hey all -

Trying to decide if I should go for one of the Mirco repro playfields, or get the current one restored. Wear isn't too bad, but there is a lot of wood showing near the instruments and a bit around the Drac track - that's pretty much it. If restored, I would get the paint touched up and a new ultimate layer of clear applied.

Price is important, but not the only factor. I understand the restore will likely be more. But how good are Mirco playfields, for those who have swapped one? Is the plywood 5-or 7-ply? Coloring ok? Just trying to not make another pin-mistake

That's what I was hoping I'd hear! I was actually considering asking Kruzman or HEP to do the same thing, or do the restore on the existing PF. Kruzman lives about 45 minutes from my parents' house so next time we visit I thought I might be able to run it up there. I'll have to ask him if I could just ship it to him, have it cleared and then sent back to my place. Given the potential issues with the inserts I was kind of leaning toward the Mirco side anyway.

I'd definitely prefer that, Still looking into how long it would take, or if there are objective upsides to it, other than the obvious in keeping it original - also I don't quite understand what issues one may run into with the inserts.

Oh I'm tracking that! What a great job. I'm not sure if that will be able to be sold though, licensing and all. It's beautiful! But also it is so much work!

Thanks all- I chatted with Kruzman and it sort of seems like the reproduction is my best option, and yet still a good option unless I want to wait a *really* long time. I'm patient but... not that much. He was clear that a restore would be superior and better wood especially - but that he can turn some 'ok' stuff into a really great end result. I've seen the pictures, I believe him.

He also described to me a new process he's getting into, and the curing time for the layers of clear and my god I am definitely having him do it, repro or not. The Mircos have gotten enough positive support (for this game specifically, mind you) that I feel good about it. This and Creature are my grail games (huge flow and monster movie fan here) so I really don't want to screw this up!

First time I've heard you can have too MUCH clear on! Interesting...

Ok that makes sense. Something Kruzman was telling me is that the clear takes a really long time to really cure and be as hard as it needs to be, much longer than it says on the package. As a result, most applications of clear are not even done curing when they arrive to be installed, I.e. The second coat is applied before the first is done curing, and you start getting damage much more easily than, say a DiamondPlate which (I assume) was applied over a longer period of time.

Probably true - but I know also that they used harder wood back in the day, and the PFs made now (at least the repros, and I have to imagine some of the Sterns) are using much softer wood, so the clear needs to be both flexible as the wood flexes in very small ways, but hard enough to overall protect the wood.