(Topic ID: 327201)

PBL Mirror Blades - Without Mounting Screws

By SterlingRush

1 year ago



Topic Stats

  • 9 posts
  • 5 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 11 months ago by kse001
  • Topic is favorited by 2 Pinsiders

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#1 1 year ago

Question I have for the more experienced members here: What's the better way to install new Pinball Life mirror blades? This is the style with adhesive backing, no screw mounting. With playfield lifted up, or with playfield completely removed? I chose this version of mirror blades vs the other, for reasons below.

Game in question is my Stern Transformers LE, it had a set of mirror blades installed previously, but not secured very well. The screws on the original set, did not sit flush, and also had some slight warping of the blade, to where it wasn't completely flat against the cabinet wall. This continued to cause issues with lifting/lowering the playfield, even when using the pin guards, as the guards had trouble getting past the bottom mounting screws of the blades.

So fast forward to now, I've removed the old blades, cleaned up the trouble spots that were caused by the previous mounting screws(lightly sanding, cleaning, touching up), and looked at the PBL option with just the adhesive backing, to avoid a repeat of the previous set.

As much as I have been in and out of machines, this will be my first set of blades to install/re-install. I've watched numerous videos, read through a lot of different forum topics, but never did come across any mentioning this style of mirror blades. I would presume these would be similar to installing art blades, but maybe not, as this material is not as flexible as the art blades.

Just looking for suggestions, thank you everyone.

#2 1 year ago
Quoted from SterlingRush:

Question I have for the more experienced members here: What's the better way to install new Pinball Life mirror blades? This is the style with adhesive backing, no screw mounting. With playfield lifted up, or with playfield completely removed? I chose this version of mirror blades vs the other, for reasons below.
Game in question is my Stern Transformers LE, it had a set of mirror blades installed previously, but not secured very well. The screws on the original set, did not sit flush, and also had some slight warping of the blade, to where it wasn't completely flat against the cabinet wall. This continued to cause issues with lifting/lowering the playfield, even when using the pin guards, as the guards had trouble getting past the bottom mounting screws of the blades.
So fast forward to now, I've removed the old blades, cleaned up the trouble spots that were caused by the previous mounting screws(lightly sanding, cleaning, touching up), and looked at the PBL option with just the adhesive backing, to avoid a repeat of the previous set.
As much as I have been in and out of machines, this will be my first set of blades to install/re-install. I've watched numerous videos, read through a lot of different forum topics, but never did come across any mentioning this style of mirror blades. I would presume these would be similar to installing art blades, but maybe not, as this material is not as flexible as the art blades.
Just looking for suggestions, thank you everyone.

I installed them in a similar manner as many do art blades, simply without the same flexibility as a vinyl sheet. I did not remove my playfield. I used some spring clamps with microfiber cloth to hold the blade in place and get it placed correctly. Starting at the front, two clamps behind the playfield one towards the front. When situated, remove the front, easy bend out and remove the backing. Peel it until you are close to halfway then tear it off. Then repeat for the back and it helps if you need to move the playfield around a bit on the slides to get past the playfield. Not too difficult.

#3 1 year ago

Just did this install on my ac/dc. I actually preferred the stick on application vs the screw method. I just put the playfield in its highest position against the back box. Then I lined up the back box hinge cut out with the mirror blade cut out. Then make sure you’re below the glass channel and stick it on while pressing down all the way to the flipper buttons.

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#4 1 year ago

I like to get the blades on and in place (hold with blue tape) and then pull the backing off the adhesive. I leave a corner so I can pull it up and off while the mirror blade is in place.

#5 1 year ago

Thank you everyone, I was hoping this crew would come through with some pretty quick replies, as I was planning on doing this today

Actually heading over to the machine now, to start this.

#6 1 year ago

Alright, so that went a lot better than I was thinking it would. Thank you guys for the comments and sharing how to’s, pushed my confidence that little bit it needed. Was worried some snafu was going to happen halfway through, and only having one real good shot of applying these.

Side note: Used a 3/4” socket, to fill that hinge bolt hole, made it easier to line up the blade and clamp.

Extremely happy with the outcome, pin guards slide down as they should, playfield doesn’t catch on anything anymore, and they look pristine(or will after I get the little residue pieces off the edges).

Doing my happy dance, they went on great, and didn’t have to pull the playfield.

A big thank you again guys!
(Pics or it didn’t happen)

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#7 1 year ago
Quoted from SterlingRush:

Alright, so that went a lot better than I was thinking it would. Thank you guys for the comments and sharing how to’s, pushed my confidence that little bit it needed. Was worried some snafu was going to happen halfway through, and only having one real good shot of applying these.
Side note: Used a 3/4” socket, to fill that hinge bolt hole, made it easier to line up the blade and clamp.
Extremely happy with the outcome, pin guards slide down as they should, playfield doesn’t catch on anything anymore, and they look pristine(or will after I get the little residue pieces off the edges).
Doing my happy dance, they went on great, and didn’t have to pull the playfield.
A big thank you again guys!
(Pics or it didn’t happen)[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

Looks great man!

#8 1 year ago
Quoted from SterlingRush:

Alright, so that went a lot better than I was thinking it would. Thank you guys for the comments and sharing how to’s, pushed my confidence that little bit it needed. Was worried some snafu was going to happen halfway through, and only having one real good shot of applying these.
Side note: Used a 3/4” socket, to fill that hinge bolt hole, made it easier to line up the blade and clamp.
Extremely happy with the outcome, pin guards slide down as they should, playfield doesn’t catch on anything anymore, and they look pristine(or will after I get the little residue pieces off the edges).
Doing my happy dance, they went on great, and didn’t have to pull the playfield.
A big thank you again guys!
(Pics or it didn’t happen)[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

Nice idea on the socket.

4 months later
#9 11 months ago

Curious if anyone has had reason to remove these and if so, how it went. I am considering installing them on FF, but in the unlikely event I can convince myself to cough up the money if/when the expression kits become available I'd have to swap them out. Wondering how much damage - if any - I can expect the sides to receive if I were to want to remove them.

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