Quoted from harryhoudini:
Just so I'm clear with all of these threads going on... you are implying that newly made playfields need 6-12 months to cure otherwise they will be soft enough that stuff tightened down on them will "pool" the clear around the items? Am I correct I inferring that this was not the case with clears 5 or so more years ago? Or that somehow playfields of that vintage and older were able to sit that long to cure?
I'm trying to understand how this affects me going forward both with my own restores (using SprayMax 2K auto clear) and new playfields from whatever factory. I see some folks have re-cleared some factory playfields but not sure there have been tons of scientific type comparisons of same vintage playfields. I just 2K'ed a JP playfield and waited almost no time to sand, buff and install playfield items and I see no issues so far. Is 2K/automotive not what playfield manufacturers are using?
Playfields can be cured a number of ways but it boils down to two methods - time or chemicals (or some combination). If you want it done fast, you cut corners. You can use extra steps and/or mix in accelerants to make them cure quicker, but that's more time/cost. The easy way to cure the playfields is just to buy them and let them sit in the open air.
I've had a number of playfields re-done (touched up and cleared) and ALWAYS let them sit for at least 6 months after I got them back. Never had a problem like you see on Sterns (bunching clear, chipping) or JJP (chipping, flaking, bunching). It's not an unsolvable issue, but I'm pretty sure they're all trying to find the balance between quality/durability and cost.