I would like to resolve the pinball cleaner playfield concerns. I did some research and found the Mill Wax Playfield cleaner and also found the topic and argument on Pinside. I found that this cleaner has been around since the beginning of solid-state pinball. I found that there were mixed reviews and in part by pinball fanatics and geeks. Some say throw it in the garbage and some say that this is their favorite cleaner. By any stretch of the imagination am I an expert and I am a amateur pinball owner as well. With that being said, I may have to perform general maintenance on my own. It wasn’t till recent times that I discovered that you can get new playfields on these machines. However, doing internet research I discovered how the playfield is created. This will help understand on what products to use and not to use on your playfield. The playfield has a clear coat of the Diamond Plate product. In other early model machines, there may have been a lacquer. Once the plywood is milled it goes through a screening process like you would screening a shirt for graphics. Then the Diamond Plate is applied as a protective layer over the newly screened artwork. The Diamond Plate product is used as a ceramic clearcoat on automotive paint. As long as you are not using paint thinner, you can use any product that is safe for the ceramic clearcoat on a car or the lacquer of wooden furniture. Solvents not to use is rubbing alcohol, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide or petroleum-based products. I would also be weary of Windex on the playfield; a local vender’s website mentioned Windex so I gave it a try. I first used Mill Wax playfield cleaner on Terminator and it got most of the gummed-up areas fairly clean. The ball lane where the ball launches have those black lines from the ball. Windex didn’t get it clean enough. The Mill Wax product got most of it up, but when I run my finger over the black line, I can feel that it is abrasive from general wear. Then I used it on Twilight Zone and not sure if this was the best product to use. I’m not sure if Twilight Zone has the Diamond Plate product, but perhaps a lacquer. The flippers have the black lines and this product reduced it, but you can still see the black lines faintly. However, when cleaning the rubber bands and plastic targets the Mill Wax product gets it very clean. Some have mentioned to use Novus 2 as a playfield cleaner. This product is directed to be used on plastics. On companies’ websites that do restorations they mention about a 3-step process. Exactly what is this process? People use Carnauba Wax and this is fine. I can see it being used when all plastics removed and the playfield completely removed for cleaning. This allows for a complete buffering of the playfield. Not sure why anyone would want wax residue on their playfield without completely buffing out the wax. I’m not going to wax the playfield doing a general cleaning. I have found some kind of powdery residue on Twilight Zone and Terminator. The residue is in certain inconspicuous areas and not sure if they are from solenoids. I would like to try using a ceramic cleaner in a spray bottle that is used to clean the exterior of a car. Obviously, spray on a cloth and rub on playfield. Or try a furniture cleaner for wooden surfaces. As far as the Mill Wax is concerned; if you baby your car, and wouldn’t put it on the surface of your vehicle, and petroleum products are not recommended by auto-detailers, then I would say not to use it on the playfield. But it can be used to clean targets and rubber components.

I reviewed the thread on the link provided in the above-mentioned. I read through a couple of pages. One of the pinsiders’ had a lot of technical or scientific information and provided illustrations. After reading the thread it was not recommended to use Novus products on the playfield. However, I can see it being useful on worn out plastic ramps. As far as Simply Green, it’s also not recommended. But if you have a restoration project and experience with this product by all means use it to remove gunk from the playfield. That’s if you have anecdotal experience with certain methodologies and cleaning agents. The Powdery residue, I concur that it’s old wax. I took an LED flashlight to get a closer look at my Twilight Zone and the playfield is in good condition with minimal wear. As far as Naphtha, I wouldn’t use it to clean a pinball machine. Replacing the pinballs is a good idea. I was once told by a seller that if there’s a little rust on the ball it can tear up the playfield. I stand behind the do not use when I mentioned the chemicals in this thread. But I’m open to experiment and I would like to try a non-abrasive wood cleaner. And maybe a ceramic exterior car cleaner on Terminator 2. I know that in the future I could get a new playfield for Twilight Zone, so I’m just going to run it to the ground. But I don’t play it that much, so the wear on the machines are minimal. But the more plays and trite cleanings, and neglect, will wear pinball machines. Especially for commercial use.

I totally respect your years of experience. Empirical findings are the primary movers of knowledge as opposed to a priori. I want to thank you for taking the time to express your findings and experiences. And yes, I’m aware of the wealth of knowledge and resources on Pinside. I know this is a sensitive topic and methods can be quite arbitrary. I anticipated that I would receive some backlash from my comments.

As far as the missing paragraphs are concerned, Pinside recommended not to use them when writing a story. As for reinventing the wheel, I strongly encourage it. Pinball machines are works of imagination and engineering. Such phenomena of human ingenuity should be embraced. In regards to the comment in the above-mentioned, “And I would like to resolve world hunger! We both have an equal chance of success. It’s been debated for decades and everyone has their dogma and facts won’t change many minds. There is a general, reasonable consensus which I am sure others will and have described but no way to bring everyone to the same page”.

World hunger can be revolved, but not in our lifetime. The North American adage, “All Men Are Created Equal” is a metaphor that we all have an equal opportunity for success. Obviously, there are other underlying phenomena that prevents success in the struggle for existence. However, this topic is outside the scope of Pinside. Yes, humankind can be blindsided by monkish ignorance and superstition. Science cannot help those who believe or use the word faith in context. Again, outside the scope of this discussion.

Make sure you lookout for my research in the future. Because it is written to bring what is unconscious to consciousness in humanity. My suggestion is to take the time to read. But I suppose that we can all agree that this post can be closed. But if I find a better cleaning solution, I shall let you know.