Insert question. I am doing a Flash Gordon and replacing all of the inserts except the arrows. The old inserts were mostly cracked and otherwise damaged. The new inserts are about 60-70% opaque. They all have those numbers and other markings on them. Do I need to sand and polish them all? Ugh. The opaque ones are not horrible to do, but the transparent ones are a drag, for me, to get back to shinny and clear.
Thoughts?

There’s an interesting question. I was going to spray the areas on the PF where the windows in the hardtop might otherwise show wood with black paint, sand and polish the inserts loose and then stick them into the PF then clear.
However, I can see the benefits of putting in the inserts and then sanding before painting and clearing. They are for sure flat and it sounds way easier. The only drawback is the black paint goes away because you can’t do that pre-sanding and putting in the inserts. You’d sand away the black paint. if you wanted to paint after sanding the installed inserts, then your masking inserts for a month of Sundays to spray-paint or outlining each insert with black paint by hand. Neither is an attractive option.
So, I guess I have another question. Do folks think the black paint is necessary? Lot of inserts on FG.

That’s really nice!

I remember reading back in this thread that there was a batch of these that had defective glue, could that be the problem with the one that you’re working on?

Finished my Flash Gordon hardtop install and playfield swap (don’t ask!).
I’ve included photos below of some before and after. Plays great! Looks great!
Nothing much to report. Took my time installing the Star rollovers and that turned out to be more daunting than difficult. Really was much simpler than I had anticipated.
I chose to clear my playfield sans the inserts. I added them afterwards since I know not what I do when it comes to clear coating things. I ordered all new inserts and sanded them in place on the PF with 80 grit and the I removed them and went through a couple of finer grits, ending with 1200 wet and a buffing with my Dremel and some compound. I glued them in so they were a hair below flush and added the Hardtop.
I rehabilitate the arrows since I couldn’t find new ones. Just used a chisel to scrape off the junk and sanded them back to almost like new. Helped that they were opaque.
I also worried about the ramps, but followed the lead of others, adding a shim from the strip of plastic with the adhesive supplied with the Hardtop, and it worked brilliantly.
When I did the PF swap (still don’t ask) I put in yopsicles under all of the inserts and rollovers.
Between the Hardtop, the upgraded sound board, and the cabinet repaint, I think I am good to go.
I bought stickers for the spinners, but left in my old battered ones. I kind of like the look. I’d consider installing remakes, but the stickers just didn’t move me.
Oh well, that’s my story

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How long after installing are you first seeing lifting? Right away, weeks, months, years?

On my Flash Gordon hardtop I installed Yopsicles to combat heat and flickering. Looks great, no flicker, and no heat.

I used Yopsicles for the controlled lights and rollovers. That’s like 85% of the bulbs in the playfield. The rest of the GI with LED bulbs. Super easy to install the Yopsicles. Only tip is to add a blob of solder to the Yopsicles before installing. I think he ships them that way now, but if not, do it prior to bolting them down.

Thanks. I did a complete sand down and shellacked mine. Seems to be okay so far. Appreciate the info. I won’t lay awake at night worrying now.

I looked at the company website that makes the adhesive, and I called the guys at hardtops. Mine was four years old. The company literature indicated that if it was stored in a cool environment it should be fine after four years. The guys at hardtop said if it was stored flat and kept cool like room temperature cool it should be fine. So far, mine has stuck like a son of a gun.