Quoted from cjchand:

Can anyone here speak to how their game played before and after? I’m super eager for the HS Hardtop to be released, but my playfield isn’t totally trashed, either. So, doing what I do best: overthink things... despite the post immediately above

Quoted from BRW84:

One thing I'll add is that I've seen so many folks talking about sanding and clearing the entire playfield. I can understand that to a degree if you're an absolute perfectionist, but all I did was sand the area around the inserts and I got great results. There are a few areas on my Flash Gordon where the pre-cut holes on the hardtop are large enough that you can see a bit of the original playfield underneath, and personally, I'd rather see the original paint than sanded, cleared wood. To each their own, but you don't have a ton of free time on your hands and you want to get back to playing, I think you can get awesome results just by sanding the inserts and rubbing a little Novus 2 into them before installing the hardtop.

Quoted from mof:

Thanks I had no idea (I thought sanding was enough -- something most people can do) -- doesn't that rather limit who is an ideal candidate for this solution, since not everyone has the space/equipment/skills to shoot clear.
-mof

Quoted from desertT1:

Hmm, that's sort of tough spot to be in. Having cleared old playfields before, which involves dripping clear into the cupped insert areas, this doesn't look like a small task. You could try to just drip (flood) those areas with clear and sand it smooth, using the remaining art as a guide. That might not work though because the clear will sand off a lot slower than the art.
So what I would probably do if I were you is to sand off the rest of the art, then clear it. Sand it a little when it's ready and you will see all the low spots. Drip clear into those areas until you think you are above level with the playfield. Again, let that harden and start sanding. Repeat until everything is level.
Like I said, I don't think they did you any favors.

Quoted from cjchand:

Curious of people's thoughts on progressively higher grit sanding followed by Novus to make the inserts naturally shiny, rather than relying on clear.

Quoted from wrd1972_PinDoc:

To Clear-coat, or not to Clear-coat. That is the question.
Okay, so how many folks here are clearcoating their playfield prior to the Hardtop going on? I know that OE recommends this to ensure the strongest bond possible, but how many are really doing this. How many think its a waste of time?
I have been discussing this with a couple folks, but I want to see where the larger community stands on this. I belive that the clear-coat will ensure the strongest Hardtop bond into the future and beyond, but I cant base that on anything. It just seems reasonable that the adhesive will bite into a smooth non-porous surface better. Imagine a sticker being applied to wood, and to glass. Which one will stick the best?
I do NOT however, apply the clear-coat to to the plastic lamp inserts. I just prefer they be left bare as to avoid any unexpected weird crap from happening down the road. I just wont chance something like that, cause there would be no fixing it for sure.

Quoted from Mathazar:

You're not an outlier, or at the very least we can be a group of outliers. Did a Mata Hari hardtop nearly 3 years ago, no clear, almost daily use since then, and it still looks and plays like new. Ditto for my EBD I did a couple years ago and a BK I did for a buddy last year.

Quoted from Zero_Hour:

I'm in the club too, recently did a Xenon, no clear. I'm very happy with the result. I think if you are going to forgo spraying clear, then it is in your best interest to fully sand the playfield, and not just around the inserts.

Quoted from Mr_Outlane:

Ya, I'm not planning to clear coat at this point as that 2K shit is too expensive and I'd rather not clear the inserts at all. Also not set up for this toxic spray! I'm just wondering if wet sanding on the playfield after exposing any wood is an issue to be concerned about?
Can't you just coat the exposed and sanded wood areas like shooter lane, out hole and saucer with 3 coats of brush on Triple Thick water based poly?