Detroit, MI
Hi there -
I just inherited my first pinball machine (Top Card). Any tips for a new owner? Cleaning/waxing? New rubbers?
Thanks!
(Topic ID: 191728)
Welcome aboard! 
Great place to start here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cleaning-and-waxing-pinball-machines-vids-guide
Ottawa, ON
Quoted from gouache:Thanks! One question - how much do I need to worry about killing myself, poking around in the machine? Like are there any capacitors I need to watch out for?
There is line level voltage in the machine. Best practice would be to keep it on a powerbar and shut off the powerbar when you are playing around under the hood. Eventually you will need to track down issues so you should buy a schematic. It will clearly show what parts of the machine run on line level voltage (if you don't have the manual/schematic already).
Quoted from dr_nybble:There is line level voltage in the machine. Best practice would be to keep it on a powerbar and shut off the powerbar when you are playing around under the hood.
Sorry, by power bar do you mean a power strip? Couldn't I just unplug it?
Bermuda Triangle
Quoted from SunKing:Congrats! My advice? Start making space for pin #2.
this 
Pinball resource for schematic, read the link above 10 times before you start poking around or you will end up calling the guy who wrote them. He is local and can come out to fix it for a couple 100 bucks.
Quoted from MotorCityMatt:Pinball resource for schematic, read the link above 10 times before you start poking around or you will end up calling the guy who wrote them. He is local and can come out to fix it for a couple 100 bucks.
Good advice, thanks!
Quoted from gouache:Well it kinda works .... when you turn it on, it doesn't work right for awhile. But after a bit it seems to ... ? Also I think the play surface could use some new wax and maybe new rubbers?
Yeah, EM's will do that if they sit for a long time. It's better to play them once in a while to keep all of the switches clean.
Pinball resource will have everything you need for this - schematic, rubber kit, switch adjusting tool, bulbs, new power cord to replace the no doubt questionable one that's on there, etc, etc, etc... Call & talk to Steve, tell him you are a newbie & need supplies to get you going. He will fix you up. If he gives you grief, don't freak out, that's just his way of welcoming you to the hobby. He's really a super nice guy with more Gottlieb pin knowledge than anyone around.
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