That blows. Question, did you not know he had to remove the plastic coating to scan it?

TAP will know what to do, and will probably do it for you (pay of course). Seems like a good way to get an official invoice for reimbursement as well.

I'm very jealous of you living close enough to TAP to go there, I've only ever gotten to deal with them via email/phone. They helped me through some difficult casting problems when I was making knock off Campac memory modules for R/C guys. They've always been great.

Ouch. I feel for you. I've still got my NOS Diner translight with the protective coating on it. Can't convince myself to pull the plastic off.

Kerry,

I would start with Tap, followed by Novus, and Flame Polishing dead last. Glad to see that Rick is trying to make it right.

Ive torched a lot of things with great results, but I think if you put a flame to plastic that thin it will instantly curl and be trashed. Try a little novus gently and see how it looks, and get a couple free repro translites from rick to make up for your ruined nos.

Rick offered to make it right. Is it really necessary to throw him under the bus? Why even mention him?

Dayum, and Pinlawyer called R&L Carriers " Ham fisted F'Tards" BAA is kinda on the business of handling pin stuff

Must be a few of these still around NOS? I've bought 2 in the past 12 months.

I'd rather hear a guy's name who broke a part and is trying to make amends, rather than have the name withheld. Makes Rick a good guy in my book, not a bad one!

I picked both up on eBay only a few weeks apart and paid around the $200 mark each. Both still had the protective films on them.

Had 1 machine that had no translight and another that was badly damaged.

I think I'd flame polish something a little more 'common' first to see what happens to it!

Try Mike Pacak or Pinball Resource, both might have NOS Diner translites.

I *think* I have a NOS set of the characters that mount on springs behind the windows.

Totally agree. I don't think a translite will hold up to flame polishing.

TAP told me at their San Leandro store they won't work on any finished art or products due to the liability.

I got a piece of plastic for a joystick I made and I wanted the plastic to flow over the front so it needed a 90 degree bend. I said I could bring in the stick so they could use it as a guide and that's when they told me 'no'.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35597103@N08/3290793677/in/set-72157614113997631

Kerry,

Sorry for the damage that happened on your NOS Diner translite. Hope it all gets resolved in the end on a positive note!

As you know, I have a Diner which I'm planning on restoring in the near future and have a crack right through the moon on my translite. Was encouraged to hear that CPR will be reproducing the translite as a Backglass, when? Who knows... Hopefully your kindness to Rick for the scan will enable those of us in the pinball community to obtain a nice clean replacement.

Again thanks for your contribution with hopes for a positive outcome!

Nick

I agree. Kerry is also a good guy for loaning Rick the translite. Regardless of the outcome, both were trying to do something positive for the hobby. Thanks guys.

As mentioned, Tap won't touch it. They'll do machining and maybe some edge polishing on their stuff, but they don't touch customer's stuff. I don't see any way to repair it without making it look less than NOS. Flame polishing is for plastics. Not translites. Don't even try it. I would keep an eye on ebay for one to pop up. Tell Rick about it before bidding ends, so he knows there's no shenanigans. He'll square it up with you.

Also, Rick's guys are doing some amazing things lately. Because of your loan, they'll be able to make some very nice Diner translites. If you don't find one on ebay, you'll at least be able to compare Rick's remakes to your (formerly) NOS.

The real difference between average and expert is how you recover from mistakes, because everyone makes them. It seems like Rick wants to do the right thing.

If I were in your shoes I would call Novus and ask to talk to their techincal support or product engineering people. This is what they do every day and they should be able to advise on the best way to move forward.

NOVUS Plastic Polish
800-548-6872
http://www.novuspolish.com/contact.html

That's a bummer TAP won't touch it.

Wouldn't a high quality wax, either liquid or paste be able to fill most of these? Just saying...

I would do Novus 3/2/1 on it. If the scratches are deeper you may need to to do sanding first working up to a very high grit before you hit it with the novus.

See here
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=202584

Try novus indeed.. and get two or three repro's as compensation..