This is a quality issue from what I'm reading. Some posts used have a protruding edge, image below is a closeup from the one above, this is why the issue hasn't occurred on all games. Any playfield using a post like below will end up having the post dig into the clear.

JJP has used similar designed post for years without issue so what changed? Did JJP change post manufacturers or did the existing manufacturer change the design? I really hope JJP didn't change post manufacturers to save 25 cents per game as at today's prices there's no excuse for cuts in quality. My 2/4 build date posts are smooth on the bottom and came with plastic washers installed from the factory so JJP realized they needed to do something.

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Here's a close up pic of the post and factory plastic washer from my 2/4 built game. I can tell the edge of the post itself isn't perfectly even and you can see how its dug into the washer a bit. If the post can dig into a plastic washer it will go right through clear coat.

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I think a piece of mylar and then the larger clear washer you are using should be more than enough protection.

Unfortunately I don't see JJP replacing playfields with populated ones for those with chipping at the sling posts. Game is done, probably limited parts left, and they are moving into Wonka, game #6, etc.

What JJP should at the very least do is offer a "fix" kit for earlier built games. In the fix kit include posts that are smooth at the bottom, and the washers. I also noticed my 2/4 LE has a lexan washer installed under the star post located under the Black Pearl ramp, that should be included too. Basically any sort of protection being installed on the latest games needs to go into the the fix kit.

Finally, JJP should offer decals that are mylar square size of the artwork around the post holes so owners can choose to cover it up if they want to with using standard posts. Either that or include starposts with the clear lexan washer they are using under the Black Pearl ramp. This isn't an ideal solution but for the price of these games its the least they can do.

I think they should replace the playfields but I'm just thinking what will really happen as the game is done. As I said it's not the ideal solution. Better then doing nothing.

Do you ever stop trolling against JJP?

If your getting a newer built game it should have the small plastic washers installed under the sling posts from the factory. I would still recommend applying 1-2 squares of mylar over each post hole just to be safe.

Here's the mylar installed over mine, it's barely noticeable.

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I've been critical of JJP many times. Pleade don't think for a second I think this is acceptable, it's not. As I've written before the last thing customers of NIB games should have to worry about are playfield issues.

If a game does have chipping heres what I would recommend doing.

1. With a small detail brush apply clear to damaged area, allow to dry

2. Mylar over top, 1-2 layers

3. Install star posts over thin plastic / lexan washers that are the diameter of the star posts.

I believe the "solution" above would minimize further damage and make existing damage not noticeable.

At some point JJP started putting plastic washers underneath the posts. My 2/4 built LE has them and also noticed a thin plastic / lexan washer under the the star post located underneath the Black Pearl ramp. No wear present. 2/4 is well before these issues were being reported at this level so someone at JJP must have heard something and implemented a change on the line.

Only a small number of the original playfields by Bader had playfield flaking issues, thankfully a vast majority did not. My WOZ ECLE has a Bader playfield in it and its in as good of shape if not better then my other JJP playfields with Mirco playfields.

You are implying that all games have cracking at the sling posts and that isn't the case.

I think owners with severe chipping, as some have posted here, should have been given at least a free unpopulated playfield. Having to pay even 50% of the cost is BS. Being told "it's only pinball" is wrong. If JJP is going to charge top dollar then they need to back that up with top quality control.

None here, early February build with factory washers under sling posts. I put two squares of mylar under each post just as a cautionary measure, game had under 100 plays at the time. I did order the washer kit just in case but haven't installed it yet. Have also since turned down the sling power just incase.

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Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. Its BS that JJP isn't doing more for owners with games affected to that degree. A free replacement playfield should be a given once pictures are provided to them. For JJP to offer a 50% off playfield after a customer buys a nearly $10k game is an insult in my opinion. I like JJP a lot but they really need to step it up here.

If any area of a Stern playfield is rough out of the box it might be due wax not being buffed out at the factory prior to shipping. I've had this happen on 1 NIB Stern. The dried wax had been there for a while and was hard to buff out.

Don't forget!

1. The WOZ light board issue occured over 5+ years ago, it was on JJP's first game, and it occured on the most complex lighting system ever created for a pinball machine
2. JJP resolved the light board issue permanently with the 2.0 lighting system
3. WOZ's with 5.0v unbuffered light boards experienced issues early and JJP warrantied the boards for my customers
4. A vast majority of WOZ's with 5.0 buffered, 7.5v buffered / unbuffered boards have never had an issue in 5 + years (mine included with 7.5v boards)
5. JJP came up with the 2.0 light kit for WOZ owners and offered it at cost (how many companies would do something like that?)

JJP can get hammered for the playfield issues but I think they handled the WOZ light board issue very well. No one has to pay $800 for a 2.0 kit if they don't want to. As I said a vast majority of WOZ's with 5.0 buffered, 7.5v buffered / unbuffered boards have never had an issue in 5 + years.

The pooling sucks but honestly it could have been way worse based on the picture.

Thankfully it seems like pooling doesn't always lead to chipping. We've now seen some Stern games made years ago with similar pooling in non sling areas but no chipping. The primary area that has been chipping on Pirates is around sling posts due to the sharp edges of sling posts along with vibration from the sling kicker frequently firing that overtime leads to pooling and then chipping. However, I understand some Pirates games have chipping outside of the sling area. Playfield quality seems to vary game to game.

In the case of the above pic I would maybe put some mylar down over the area, reinstall the backplate and then never worry about it.

One of the biggest issues is that some Pirates were shipped with posts that had an uneven edge / protruding edge on the bottom. This type of post would dig right into the clear / art and likely contributed to the chipping issues.

At some point (maybe Jan 2019) JJP began shipping Pirates that had plastic clear washers installed at the bottom of the sling posts. The Pirates LE that I had thankfully had these clear washers installed from the factory. I still put small squares of mylar over each sling post hole and then put the JJP washer kit over it, there was never any playfield wear. What I don't know is if JJP used the factory clear washers on all posts or just the sling posts.

Picture without the factory clear washer on sling post

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Picture with factory clear washer on sling post. The sling post is even digging into the clear washer a bit.

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