How does the CPR announcement affect hardtop going forward? Does this mean games that were run in the past (e.g., Taxi) are no longer fair game?

I understand that, but this is Hardtop's current policy from the original post:

This policy, however, is no longer relevant because the new CPR model completely does away with the concept of "runs." CPR will presumably begin making Taxi playfields again immediately. Does that mean it is "off limits" to hardtop again? Can HT never produce a title that CPR has run in the past?

Ah, gotcha. so basically hard top will just make whatever title planetary approves, regardless of what CPR has done or will do?

I don’t think I’ll even need sandpaper. The existing paint flakes right off! Excellent HT candidate.

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Nope. HT all the way baby. Does CPR even have a FG playfield available?

Has anyone started on their Flash Gordon yet? I started stripping down mine today. As I was examining things, I realized doing both playfields will be a total pain. I was originally thinking i'd just plop down everything on my rotisserie, but the upper playfield is attached to the lower via the wood rails. In order to remove rails, the upper pf will need to be removed. I can't think of an elegant way to do this without having to remove all the under playfield stuff from the upper playfield. Thoughts?

Is this fine to clear the shooter lane? Or is 2PAC necessary for that?

I was checking the alignment of FG hardtop and noticed that one of the arrows has 3M adhesive over it. The rest do not. Is this normal? Should I proceed with install? Will this insert look weird?
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Looking at the photos posted by Andyzola87 and ReadyPO above, that particular arrow insert also looks like its not transparent on theirs either. I'm hoping that it is just the 3m sticker that wasn't cut properly, and there isn't actually 3m adhesive over the insert....

The inserts will remain cupped but you won’t notice them because the lexan that lays over top of them is flat. I used one on a paragon with cupped inserts and it worked perfectly. It’s the easiest solution for cupped inserts. I love hard tops, but IMO they should be saved for completely blown out playfields.

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for including the extra strip of plastic with the FG hardtop. Was able to create fitted shims for each ramp and create a perfectly smooth transition

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Oh gosh. Now that I think about it, that may have been what that extra strip of plastic was for LOL. Either way, I think it's a good idea to include extra strips of plastic for shimming.

FG hard top restore complete. Looks amazing! Now to fix a bunch of board related issues...

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Use a Dremel to carefully open existing holes in hardtop or drill new ones. You will have to do that for pretty much all of them. Wait until after you install to mess with the holes, btw.

bits like these worked well for me.

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Oh definitely have a shop vac and some compressed air at the ready. Also wear a mask so you're not breathing fine plastic particles.

I’ve had my hard top installed for several months now. I’ve noticed that one of my inserts has started to “cloud” — basically this opaque whiteness seems to be spreading from the edge. Anyone else experiencing this? Not sure if it’s the hardtop or something I messed up on install.

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Pretty much followed Vid's guide exactly. My only deviation is that I used Krylon Crystal Clear like you instead of 2PAC.

Based on my photologs, looks like about 20 days

I think the big issue is protecting your shooter lane, but I think that approach should be fine overall.

Have you installed a hard top before? It’s quite a bit more involved than you are making it out to be. I love my FG hardtop, but factoring in time and effort, I think I would rather do a playfield swap tbh.

100% agree

Vid did a guide that answers all your questions here: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/vids-guide-hardtop-restoration-comet

For the experts: Is there any point to sanding the inserts super fine and then clearing over them like this poster is planning? I thought the logic was to sand with coarser grit (500g) so the clear has something to grip to, then the final clear will be super smooth. Will cleaning over inserts that have been sanded that fine (2000g) cause lifting issues later?

To clarify, the conversation here was about preparing the inserts for clear coat prior to installing the hardtop. An earlier poster was discussing their plan to polish the inserts with high grit sandpaper and then clear it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O4TFHJW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

Highly recommend this flush trim bit. You can basically just trace around holes like a router, it's awesome. You may still need to go free hand for the rollover inserts though.

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exactly! The little dinky one i posted is meant to fit a dremel and probably would break with thick wood, but same basic principle. Forgot to mention, If you use that bit i posted make sure you use in combination with one of these to make sure you maintain the proper depth and keep the tool at 90 degrees to the playfield.

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agree with you for large areas but it probably won't work for tracing smaller holes. The small dremel bit is actually small enough to fit into a rollover switch slot.

(delete this post, made by accident)

Oh I guess you could also do that. I honestly didn't even realize they made collets that small for routers. Seems kind of dangerous. Regardless, I'd probably still want to use a dremel just because it is smaller, lighter, and easier to control.