This years Houston arcade expo has really opened up my eyes to the two pins that I have. I suppose it was the "wow" I felt when I saw how the expo's TAF had mods and LEDs. I've had my TAF for about 4 years and I think I'm actually taking care of it when in reality I do not know. You can say I browse youtube videos on maintenance and read a post or two here on pinside. I'm realizing that, as a pin owner, that I don't even know if I'm properly taking care of my pin or getting the most out of it.

Does it make sense to hire a pinball maintenance person to come and give the pins a yearly (or bi yearly) checkups?

I've always cleaned around the areas of my playfield with novus but I've never removed any parts to get underneath. I suppose it's a fear to think that I'm disassembling it.

How do the non pin experts maintain their pins to ensure they're getting the best from it and extend its life?

-rev

Thanks for the links! I've surfed around but haven't ran across this. Do you guys typically remove ramps to get underneath? I guess it's like anything else - take pictures and take your time.

-rev

I've only waxed TAF once in 4 years but it's been sitting there for 2 years since I've moved and have a newborn. Now that the family has settled then I'm back at playing it more regularly. I recall using novus 1 and mothers wax (red bottle). I have an led kit coming in this week and I'm going to clean it we'll as I install the bulbs.
Do you use a wool buffer on a hand drill? Or do you buff by hand?

I will be reading the links to see if that answers my question.

-rev

I suppose the bigger question was how do people know they're getting the most of their pin and keeping up with it? I may think I'm doing a good job until someone comes over and points things out because they have experience. I think I only have internet knowledge but wondered if that's good enough. I suppose it is since my pins are HUO.

-rev

Thanks all for your replies.

-rev

Most definately will do this. I received my lighting kit in the mail so I figured all day cleaning and upgrading the TAF this weekend.

-rev

Thanks! Sorry I don't follow up often on my posts.
I wonder if I can set up alerts on posts I started.
Will see you soon as planned.

- Rev

I cleaned my TAF and changed rubber pieces over the holiday vacation. I took plenty of pictures. Not too bad of a job although adding the new led lights seemed like a long task. I learned about my play field. I noticed a crack (broken piece) in my clear ramp. In short, I noticed all these little tid bits that I never noticed before - that's a good thing. But it's also a bad thing because I can get bothered by the smallest thing meaning that I start debating with myself on replacing broken things because now I know it's there.

-Rev