I'm going over my 75' Gottlieb as the playfield looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a good while. I can't seem to figure out how much cleaning is too much. I've read a bunch of topics on it and everyone says to just go slow. (And I've been moving at a snail's pace) I'm using 99% isopropyl and an ME. What does paint damage actually look like when you've scrubbed too much? Does the pigment show up on the ME? Or is it purely playfield damage?Should the colors on the playfield match the bright colors underneath the posts and such when clean? (The playfield is definately darker) Just trying to get a feel for what's just right so that I don't over do it. I'll be touching up and clear coating the playfield after.

I've read both, and those are actually what I'm using for my restoration. The issue is that I'm seeing damage without seeing any pigment. Attached is what I'm mainly seeing. I assume it was because there was dirt or something, but I swear that it wasn't there when I started cleaning, and now I'm seeing these little grooves in the grain.

20200411_171523 (resized).jpg

I was cleaning the alcohol off with naphtha after wiping with it. I wasn't sure about novus, I've heard a lot of mixed things, then again, this whole process has a lot of mixed opinions. I'll be doing touchup work with my airbrush anyways, so it's not a huge deal, but I'm surprised I didn't see any paint on the ME