Quoted from chuckwurt:Or they can fix the playfield issues and it doesn’t matter how loose or tight the posts are.
All they have to do is have the post be slightly recessed into the PF, resting on real wood (no clear coat, etc.). That way, that provides the structural support and not impacting the PF top. Then, any part of the post above the PF is designed to not touch the PF. For example - a large plastic post?...what you see is just cosmetic. The real support is still in the recess and provides the structural integrity, not the top of the PF.
Granted, this doesn't fix any issue with a poor clear coat - it just moves the stress away from the top of the PF.
Just a wag on my end, but it gets rid of the high stress interface on the clear coat.