Ottawa, ON
Does anyone know if you should wax your playfield before putting the protector down?
(Topic ID: 48165)
Linked Games
Addams Family, The
Bally, 1992-
Eight Ball Deluxe
Bally, 1981
-
F-14 Tomcat
Williams, 1987
-
Fireball II
Bell Games, 1981
-
KISS
Bally, 1979
-
Mata Hari
Bally, 1978
-
Old Chicago
Bally, 1976
Topic Gallery
Knoxville, TN
Quoted from Nepi23:Ok, I did an error when installing my protector for MM.
As I looked at the protector on the playfield, the troll-holes looked to be to small for the troll-doors. Furthermore I remembered that the earlier owner told me that he had
bought some enhancement for the trolls.
Well, I then thought that the holed for the trolls were too small because of the "enhanced" i.e. bigger troll doors installed by the earlier owner... For this reason I cut the holes bigger with not that much of success - the cutout look quite terrible now. I also tried to iron out any cut-errors with sandpaper and it turned out that the sandpaper made the macrolon look cloudy there were I had used the sandpaper.
After making the holes bigger I realized that the intention of the manufacturer probably is that the troll-doors stay on top of the protector all the time and that's why only smaller holes are needed.
So, now I have the first complaint about the product: I do feel that in situations like this proper install instructions should follow the protector - while the solution probably self-evident to some people, for me it was not in this case.
I have emailed bestofpinball and asked, whether they would offer a replacement. I'll post a follow-up here.
Why would you cut it? Why not contact them FIRST? I doubt they offer a replacement as you butchered the product without consulting the manufacturer first. Here are some proper install instructions: Be patient, don't change the product without consulting the manufacturer, and live with your choices.
Helsinki
Judremy, to answer your question, with reference to my message, I was sure at the time that the holes are too small for my modified trapdoors (later found out that they are regular ones), so that's why I went and cut them.
Yes, bestofpinball.de did not offer a replacement and/or discount, so I will have to order a new one. I received info from a fellow pinball-enthusiast that indeed the trapdoor should go on top of the product.
Quoted from Nepi23:Judremy, to answer your question, with reference to my message, I was sure at the time that the holes are too small for my modified trapdoors (later found out that they are regular ones), so that's why I went and cut them.
Yes, bestofpinball.de did not offer a replacement and/or discount, so I will have to order a new one. I received info from a fellow pinball-enthusiast that indeed the trapdoor should go on top of the product.
Hopefully my post did not come off as rude. I just know I have done things where if I only waited and thought about it first, I would have saved myself time and money. Always ask the vendor is my new rule.
should be one more poll option.
bought one, not sure if i'd buy another.
I like the way it looks and plays, waiting to see if it's sliding makes a difference.
Installed on a FH, not much to secure it other than ramp flaps.
I removed my mylar and messed up my inserts so I recommend to leave it on. As far as the sliding a few simple pieces of mylar or vinyl in places you can't see will easily secure it.
1 month later
**Bump!**
So, how is this holding up after a couple of months? Is wear starting to show on them or still shiny and transparent as when you first got em?
Mine is still nice and shiny, I have noticed some dust under it though
Still happy with the purchase.
Quoted from PhilGreg:**Bump!**
So, how is this holding up after a couple of months? Is wear starting to show on them or still shiny and transparent as when you first got em?
I traded my FT that I put the protector on, but the new owner had a few comments. He said that dirt and debris is getting underneath the protector especially around the back near the lanes. When I had it, it seemed to accumulate a lot more scratches than I thought it would. I would consider getting another one if I bought it to protect a decal or something like that.
Quoted from Craig:I'm watching with interest but not ready to jump in just yet. Let's see how they weather.
+1
More testimonials please!
Quoted from BAA:They are now up on the site.
Still looking for a reply if WhiteWater comes with a protector for the upper playfield? Didn't see one in the pic on the site.
Is it just me or does Bay Area Amusements have bad communication? I have emailed them several times and tried PM on here. Now the WH2O one is missing from the site completely. Makes it hard to want to purchase from them.
A thought that I've not seen discussed here is for those playfields where replacement is not available you can take on the task of restoration or you can get one of these and keep the weathered look and still have it play like new.
My opinion is if your going to take the time to do a the restoration take the time to clear coat it, but if you're wanting something that will play well and you kind of like the look of a weathered playfield get one and try it out.
I just bought one for a Bally Mystic. While I look for a better playfield I'll get to play on the one I've got in the mean time.
Lexan ® Polycarbonate Cleaning Instructions
http://www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/article.aspx?contentkey=573
Burleigh Waters
Quoted from Pinman2020:Lexan ® Polycarbonate Cleaning Instructions
http://www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/article.aspx?contentkey=573
Good info, thanks.
3 weeks later
I've just installed one on my JM. It covers 100% of the playfield that can be reached by the ball, but I was disappointed that it's not held down by posts - instead, circles are cut around them. I haven't repopulated the top of the playfield yet but it seems likely that I'll need to tape it down in several places to keep it from moving. As for aesthetics, it adds a nice glossy shine.
I think I may try cutting my own Makralon sheet for CSI, and use the posts to secure the plastic. I have a spare playfield I can use as a template.
Installed on my HS2. Moves around a bit and attracts everything with its insane static cling. I should have vacuumed my pf after waxing and before install. This thing attracted every piece of dust in the machine straight onto it. I do like how it adds a nice shine and smooths out my lifted inserts, but the dust underneath is annoying. Plays a little faster and i do notice quite a few more air balls. I would not buy again unless i happened to buy another "player quality" machine and want a quick solution for a not so good PF.
I've bought and installed four so far and will buy and install one for every machine I own. I absolutely hate playfield wear to the point I can't play the pin if it has any. This is a perfect solution and works great! As far as it moving around, just stick it to the playfield with clear vinyl at the points that are covered like under the ramp flaps and where the balls drain under the apron, problem solved, none of mine move at all after that.
I can see getting another for a PF that was already damaged or has lifted/chipped inserts, but if your PF is nice and you wax and change your balls regularly i dont see the need for one. Plus the annoyance of dust that gets under them is not worth it IMHO.
Quoted from joe2012:hi perry, got any pics?joe
Here is one on my STTNG and BDK.
If anyone knows how to rotate the BDK pic, please do.
Quoted from joe2012:hi quarter, nice games. i'm still wondering about scratches and ball trails. thanks joe.
I've noticed on my STTNG it is developing ball trails in the return lanes, no scratches though, I don't think this plastic can scratch or it is very hard to scratch it. I haven't tried cleaning the ball trails yet on my STTNG but I'm sure they'll come out easy. If they don't come out then better the protector then my beautiful playfield, that's what the protector is for anyway, to protect my playfield. 
Promoted items from Pinside Marketplace and Pinside Shops!
Reply
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!
Donate to PinsideGreat to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
