Magic Eraser with rubbing alcohol works for me. Go easy.
Then I recommend the Treasure Cove polish kit. It got your NBAFB playfield shiny and oh so fast.
If you are going to rebuild those Jets, you can borrow my staple gun to reattach the lamp leads.

Ugh.....what Sealclubber said. doing that you might as well just set the thing on fire....

Is all that crud ground down into the clear? =\

When the dirt is really thick on a PF, you can start with formular 409 or else you will blow through lots of rags with novus 2.

Novus 2 is an abrasive, not a cleaner. If you need to get more aggressive ME is less abrasvie than Novus 2 and more effective. On the other hand...

I would start less abrasive and then move on as needed. As barakandl said use Formula 409 (or ZEP Heavy Duty Citrus Cleaner). Wet your rag and wipe enough so it doesn't drip. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe again.

Repeat a few times if needed.

You'll be amazed how much stuff you can get off without using the equivalent of 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper (i.e. - Novus 2).

If needed then move on to ME and alcohol.

hope you got this project for pennies on the dollar.

I should add that I've been experimenting lately with pre-wax cleaners and have had very good luck removing grit like that without getting abrasive.

Use a product like Collinite Liquid Sapphire PreWax Cleaner (for lacquer or enamel, there's a different product for auto clear), which is a non-abrasive cleaner that will remove ground in dirt, film, discoloration and wax stains. This works best with an orbital buffer and a white polishing pad.

Before and after photo (and the before photo was after thoroughly cleaning the playfield):

Deep-Cleaning-4.jpg

i like high % alcohol, or nalphtha and mf. use white scotch pads on some surfaces

Many cleaners will remove the crud without using an abrasive.

I completely strip both sides of the playfield. After 19 years, the game just deserves it. Plays so much better with everything clean, rebuilt and tweaked!