Waxing modern pinball machines is a complete waste of time.

What’s the point?

I clean the easy to reach areas. 1 coat of wax. Clean the balls. Let 'er rip.

LTG : )

I'll put down a coat of wax to help protect things.

Air compression to blow dust off the box?

I'm glad you asked this question, because I was wondering the same thing. I'm expecting my first NIB pin, and I wanted to know what other people do. Looks like I'll be putting down a coat of wax before I play. I guess a good second question would be what type and brand of wax is good for the new stern playfields!

I used to use Millwax but it’s trash.
Use this instead

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I waxed my NIB and put down some mylar in the shooter lane.

No wax on new games. Just clean with Novus 1 every few hundred games. Clean/check balls each time you clean playfield and replace when needed.

I use this anytime the glass is off and new out of box. Gives a quick clean and freshens up the games speed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002U729UA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title
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I used to believe new games didn’t need a wax until stern added the thinnest possible layer of clear to their games...

I was told not to wax NIB clearcoated playfields within a couple months of the build date if it's unknown how long the clearcoat has had to cure. If it's not fully cured yet then sealing it with a coat of wax may be a bad thing. I don't know that for sure but it sounds reasonable to me so I'll wait a few months before a first wax on my NIB.

Play the damn thing! Clean later. Most of time I use Novus 1 and coat of Blitz down the road when feeling like it.

so what do you use to cut down on that playfield chipping?

I dont' wax any of my games ever. No need. You will never get enough play in a home environment to matter. Clearcoated fields or not. Never seen any of my games get more wear on them from not waxing. And i've had some of my games for 12+ years. And that's with hosting leagues and tournaments from time to time.

I have

Had a hulk a few years ago with a near mint playfield. Brought it to a show, it got a lot more play than I was expecting, and insert ring wear started developing.

Now when I bring games to shows, I wax at least once each day of the show in addition to right before the show.

https://wizardsproducts.com/products/mist-n-shine

Contains no wax

Personally, I wouldn't use it.

shows are different. Everytime I brought a game to a show, it received at least 3000 plays over the weekend. But games I take to shows are usually ones I restored, so they are clearcoated and never wear again.

As good of a job they do at the factory I would at least try to get that factory dirt off with a quick wipe down. It can’t hurt any.

Always give it at least a quick coat of wax on the playfield. Not saying you need to do a full teardown...

The people who say you don't need to wax your playfield are the same people who never put down a dash protector in their new vehicle. Just figure out if that's you or not

Your comment is very regionally specific, I’ve never seen a car with a dash protector In Michigan, in fact most people here have no idea what they are.

I do a quick coat of blitz, I want my first handful of games on a new pin to be as chaotic as possible.

wtf is a dash protector?
In your house there really isn't a rush.

Not trying to stir debate but I was under the impression no water based products should be used on your pf and that would include Novus 1 right? Obviously it’s used a ton so I’m sure people like using it for pf’s.

Helps to prevent your dash from cracking and turning into goo in the hot Sonoran/Mojavian sun! (No surprise that someone in MI would ask the question; it's the same deal as a guy from AZ asking "WTF is an engine block heater?", lol.)

As to NIB cleaning, I am among those that really don't do much at all beyond a quick playfield swiffering and an alcohol polish of the balls (the pin ones ). I used to wax my NIB playfields, but came to decide it's more trouble than it is worth for our situation (where each game only gets played 10-12 times/week on average).

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I didnt say it had wax in it, i use it to clean the playfield and plastic ramps. I use Blitz wax when i do wax a game.

What do you use for rear view mirrors to prevent them from falling off windshields in that hot desert sun? At least that is something I heard before. lol

Apply to your cloth and then clean the playfield.

LTG : )

Not to be that guy but recently it does depend on what manufacturer. If Stern wipe the balls and play. If JJP full playfield tear down to apply mylar, washers, carbon fiber, protectors, new posts and rubbers. Sorry just had to say it.......lol

wisconsin is the same. I didn't know WTF a dash protector is either. Only gets hot here about 2 months out of the year. This is one of those months. park under a tree.

I use one of those fold up thingys in the summer that you put on the inside of the windshield.............