Flash
Williams, 1979I'm restoring an old playfield to its 1985 configuration, minus worn-off paint. I'm putting new mylar on over the touched-up areas, and have learned that some people prefer waxing before they apply mylar.
If that's your method, what's your technique? Do you let the wax dry for days before applying mylar? If you remove the mylar later, does it leave adhesive residue?
Thanks!
Thanks - but I could use more detail.
Do I need to let the wax "cure" for some number of days before applying the mylar?
If I remove the mylar later, will it leave adhesive residue behind?
Quoted from clodpole:Thanks - but I could use more detail.
Do I need to let the wax "cure" for some number of days before applying the mylar?
If I remove the mylar later, will it leave adhesive residue behind?
Your overthinking this, let wax dry to haze, buff to shine, apply Mylar
I guess I have the auto-body shop bias - it's hard to believe an adhesive sheet will stick to a fresh coat of wax.
Quoted from clodpole:I guess I have the auto-body shop bias - it's hard to believe an adhesive sheet will stick to a fresh coat of wax.
Oh it does. Did it specificaly on my fresh clearcoated and waxed TZ playfield, so that I wouldn't need to worry about tough mylar another 20 years into the future.
You can always try it on an hidden spot, like under the apron. Cut a small piece of mylar, wax a small area, then set the mylar down. Test it.
Quoted from clodpole:I guess I have the auto-body shop bias - it's hard to believe an adhesive sheet will stick to a fresh coat of wax.
See the area in white? Paste wax, buffed to a shine and mylar install. Was several months ago, works great.
20190902_182922_resized (resized).jpg20190902_184639_resized (resized).jpgIf you don't mind my asking, what was your method of getting the mylar down where you wanted it, without any wrinkles?
Quoted from clodpole:If you don't mind my asking, what was your method of getting the mylar down where you wanted it, without any wrinkles?
Just rolled it out from one side to another, made sure it was good and warm and then used a rubber wallpaper roller to make sure it filled all the nooks and crannys followed by a light go over with heat gun and rolled again.
I believe the purpose of applying a coat of wax prior to mylar is to make it easier to remove the mylar later if you want to. If you are sure you would never want to remove the mylar you may consider not waxing it first(just clean it well). Ive seen where mylar over a waxed playfield can easily lift. I personally don't like applying mylar at all and will usually spray some clearcoat instead. If its a small area I have also brushed on clearcoat with good success.
Well (laugh here, if you want) this machine is #3 in my own school of pinball. I've got one which is clearcoated, one which has only wax and now I thought I'd learn what it's like to apply mylar over playfield touchups. I seem to have gotten myself caught in a bit of a trap re: wax before or not.
The game had mylar in about 6 places, mostly applied after paint had worn away to bare wood. I took off all the mylar, filled divots with powdered marble/acrylic paste, filled dished inserts with something like Mod Podge Hard Coat, and am painting back in the artwork by hand. I'd like the new mylar to adhere well, but many pinsiders seem to prefer the "wax first" method.
I think I have analysis paralysis!
Quoted from clodpole:I'd like the new mylar to adhere well, but many pinsiders seem to prefer the "wax first" method.
I think I have analysis paralysis!
I have done it with and without wax, I can say I have had any mylar lifting with the wax on.
What do you have to lose? A few bucks on mylar? minor risk.
OK, I put on 2 coats of Johnson's paste wax, buffed, then applied mylar about 10" x 5" the shape of Idaho state. It's adhered OK so far, but it'll be weeks before the rest of the playfield is ready for a ball to roll around on.
If you look at the photo, between the girl's head and the triangle insert you can make out a reflection on the edge of the mylar. Second photo is the "before".
For the sake of my education, I'm going to put another section of mylar on without waxing first, to compare.
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Houston, TX
