Congrats!
Now, be honest...Have you started thinking about what the next game will be yet?

Looks good to me, man! The price and condition will let you work on it without worry. Nice first buy.

Looks like it'll clean up great! Did it come with glass and a lockdown bar? It's a pretty basic layout but those four flippers in that configuration look to be fantastic for practicing on. Reminds me a bit of Sharpshooter.

As for your questions:

If it goes straight to ball three I'd guess there is an issue with the reel that tracks balls. It might be damaged, slipping, or in the wrong location. Does it do the same thing for both players? Is the machine set to three or five balls?

Free Play- probably not, some EMs can be jumpered to act like they are on free play and coin up when you hit the start button but I don't know of any that have a setting for that. If the coin mechs are working you can probably just open the door and flick the switch a couple times. Some people install an extra button that does the same thing as the coin switch. You could also just use a cup of quarters, that has something to be said for it.

Plastics and playfield are going to be really tough. Most of the time with EMs you're going to be better off getting the playfield touched up than finding a replacement. Plastics would probably be a one-off from scans of someone else's that are in good condition. You could post a want ad on the marketplace though.

Cleaning- I don't know there, haven't done it myself but there are some other threads on it. The paint isn't flaking or rubbing off, is it? I wouldn't use anything abrasive like Novus or magic eraser to start with. Try a damp microfiber cloth before anything else.

Depopulating- With that layout, you really shouldn't have to if all you're going to do is clean it. You're going to spend hours just getting the pop bumpers in and out the first time. Remove the plastics and you should be able to get most places that need to be gotten to. Also, if it's all working now just keep in mind that it might not all work when you tear it down and then reconnect everything.

Also, welcome to the club! I feel like there are more and more people in their mid-20s picking up machines, maybe it's just me. I guess that makes two of us, at least. Three if I count the other guy I know around here.

Good luck with your project. Very satisfying to bring these beauties back from the dead!!

A couple of questions:
When I start a game it goes directly to the 3rd ball. How do I fix this?
Welcome to the club! As far as the unit going to ball three, it could be the ball count stepper
in the back box. Look to see if its bound up with old grease or the spring is broke.
Jim

Prepare to be addicted. Congrats!!!!

Congrats on the purchase! You just opened the floodgates, a pre-congrats on your next purchase.

Novus 2 is your friend. I'd also order a ring kit, a few new pinballs, and new hardware for the legs (I'd bet those levelers and bolts are rusty). Take your time when cleaning and reassembling, and watch (listen) for stuck switches after (or you could burn out a coil).

You'll learn a lot, and have fun too!

Welcome to the obsession

Congrats & Welcome!
I was in the same boat as you not too long ago, great hobby and great site to help you out.

I've heard Windex works well to help cleanup the cab, pick a spot towards the back and test out some different options to see how it goes.

Go slow, fix what you can, post questions about the rest, and see what you can do to get it playable. Every issue will teach you a little bit more, and if you give good descriptions in your questions you get good help. Don't be afraid to post pics or video to help the helpers.

Post some closer up pics of the backglass and playfield, both look decent at a glance.

Enjoy!

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/vids-guide-to-ultimate-playfield-restoration

This is a good start .... Vids guides are the Gospel... Check them all out.

awesome! that is a great way to start, looking to get my first table myself. After all the ads for multi-thousand $ games, it sounds incredible to find one in good shape sub-$500. Well done!

Congrats! I paid $300 for my first pin two years ago and it was not 100% working either (and still isn't!). Since then I have acquired an additional 12 pins within my first 18mo in the hobby. Be careful!

Congratulations!

read www.pinrepair.com a few times and you'll be on your way

congrats on your first game

You forgot to plug it in judging by the first photo.

Congrats on number one, time to buy number 2

Warning.....inverse relationship to # of machines vs. wife-o-meter-happiness-scale. Just keep this in mind. There have been several on these boards that have chosen their pin collection over their spouse

Nice! When you said broken plastics I figured you meant the art. For that lower guide plastic you could probably just trace it out on something you pick up at a hardware store and cut it by hand. That or just get some plastic glue and weld it together. It's not something you'll see at all while playing. Those pop bumper caps look really nice and I bet those would be the hardest thing to replace.

Definitely get some new rubbers and balls! Old balls with scratches or corrosion will chew up your playfield quick.

Try grabbing the playfield under the apron near the drain and lifting - you should be able to get it out although not all playfields have rails or a pivot point. You shouldn't have to disconnect anything as far as I know. I haven't worked on any EMs myself though.

What Law said,
You should be able to lift up by the apron where the ball drains. Playfield should lift up from the front, and you should see a bar to prop it on at the inside right of the cabinet. On the underside of the playfield you will see partial holes where you can position that prop bar to support it in a 45 degree position or so. Make sure it's secure, and MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE THE BALL FIRST! Otherwise it can roll back and bounce into the backglass, not a good thing!

Be also careful because sometimes the aprons aren't screwed on well and can be lose, so lift gently at first.

When bringing it back down be careful as well not to slam it. On a couple of my machines the return fit is snug, and I have to jiggle it a bit to get it to sit nice and flat again.

Demo below, newer machine but works similar:

So do you think someone should tell her not to use the prop rod ? Puts way to much stress on the playfield !

You probably should post the above question in the EM area on the forum you will have better luck with getting an answer ....

Yes...do that for sure...those guys really know their stuff!

And make your first investment and buy a nice soldering iron and sucker. Your going to need it

Why would he need a lollypop??

Nothing goes together like soldering and Dum-Dum's!!! I especially love Mystery flavor

also put in your header My First machine is an EM...the guys will flock here...

Congrats on the pin!! They multiply.

On the topic of Satin. Some moron wrote "Hail Satin" on the side of a church near here not long ago. 666 thread count is really soft!!

666 the number of the thread!!! Satin and Lace is being woven tonight! (Sung to the tune of IM #of B)