So last night I purchased a Pinbot Playfield (it will be shipped out tomorrow) in the hopes that maybe this could be put into a Pinbot machine that had a beaten up playfield. However, this playfield has some of the mylar already removed, isn't in the best shape but is okay, and I wasn't sure how to proceed as someone totally new to restoration and playfield evaluation.

So I'd like to hear what would be my best course of action with this playfield. So far I'm thinking of several possible options:

1. Clean up the playfield, keep the remaining mylar on, and wax the entire playfield to protect the paint.

2. Clean up the playfield, remove ALL of the mylar, and then wax the playfield to protect the paint. Repeat as necessary.

3. Clean up the Playfield, remove all of the mylar, and go through the process of purchasing and installing a hardtop.

4. Clean up the Playfield, remove all of the mylar, and go through the process of clearcoating.

5. Re-Sell the playfield and don't even bother.

I know I may have made a bad/pointless purchase, but maybe not. It could be a helpful learning experience with restoration.
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I know I'd have to clean and then sand all of the artwork off of the playfield to hard top. Is it mandatory to clearcoat when putting on a hard top as well?

The bigger challenge will be finding a good deal on a Pinbot that has a terrible playfield, but everything else looks decent.

That's what I figured. I have no idea why I saw some people on youtube clearcoating the wood before applying the hardtop. Unless I was mistaken. If I don't have to clearcoat though then installing a hardtop is looking more like a good option!

Ah yes, you're right. That was it.

For the clear coating...can I use like aerosol can clear coat from krylon? Or would that be a huge faux pas from the community using it?

I'll definitely be cleaning it up first thing and then assessing the condition from there. I'm not really setup to spray currently as I don't have the necessary tools yet, and if I were to do a spray it would likely have to be out in the backyard in one of the tent garages.

And I agree that I would think it would be easier to just do the hardtop on an already removed playfield. The person who sold me this playfield was actually going to turn it into wall art.

I have talked with him previously about it. Too far out of my budget, unfortunately.

This is very true! In the meantime I'll be taking a look at the playfield.