Yup. I agree, thats the thing to do. I do it on all games with a center target bank. eliminates the air balls 100% everytime. Once you try it, its like playing a different game. SOOOOOO much better.

Data east did it on LW3 from the factory. Same target bank same angle.

My situation was similar when I had DE Simpsons and it had gotten to the point where it wore off the yellow paint on the wireform. In the DE Owners Club thread, and I think in 1-2 separate threads, there's lots of talk about that homemade protector. You can either try to hunt one of them down to see if they'll make you one, or if you're handy, go to HD or Lowes and they have small plastic sheets over near the lumber area. You can get a small 8"x10" and trace out some patterns you think may work and route them out. You'll have enough to make extras in the event you mess up too.

DE Simpsons (resized).jpg

Remove the "bowling alley" plastic, rotate the metal plate you'll find underneath 180° so that it hangs over the drop targets like an awning, reinstall bowling alley plastic. This has completely eliminated all airballs on my Simpsons caused by hitting the drop targets.

You could also use the metal plate as a template to cut one out of clear sheet so it doesn't obscure the tops of the targets.

And yes, doubled rubber is correct.

They all look like that after almost 30 years. When I restored my Simps I had it re-powdercoated in a golden yellow, it's such a visible piece that it made a huge aesthetic difference.