Treasure Cove polish kit works wonders.

It is hard to tell from the pics, but that might just be how they look?

Like some inserts have that cracked appearance after sanding down the playfield?

And the ball trails on my TNG are hard to remove as well, I don't let it bother me. They are there due to a steel ball rolling on the exact same spot tens of thousands of times. Its okay it looks different than the rest of the playfield

My inserts look just like that. I think that's how they look.
Short of removing them and replacing I see no real way to solve.

Even the new replacement ones have that strange haze and micro "cracks". LEDs really highlight this problem. With the incandescent bulbs is hardly visible.

I was told they weren't easy to remove and replace so I'm not messing with mine right now.

To anyone on the fence just replace them. It's easy and looks way better. Well mine needed to be done clearly but the new ones still look really good.

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brad808, how hard was the replacement procedure?

my STTNG has noticeable ball trails in the inlanes, too. Novus does nothing to them. wish I knew how to get rid of them.

I didn't find it that bad at all to be honest and it was my first time doing anything along those lines. The most painful part was paying for shipping them from the UK to Canada. There is a fair amount about changing inserts online already, its where I got all my information from. The basics though are to heat up the old insert from underneath to loosen the glue then use a piece of dowel and a hammer to knock the old ones out. Clean off all the glue from the hole in the playfield. Get a 2 part clear epoxy and put some in the hole (from underneath) and around the edge of the insert and then install them. keep alcohol and a rag handy in case you need to get some of the glue off in a hurry.

My new ones were identical depth to the originals so they lined up nicely but you should put something flat on the playfield then hold the inserts from underneath while they set to ensure they are 100% level.

Not to rain on that parade, but it doesn't appear your PF was re-cleared after they were replaced when you took that pic. The micro-cracks only show up when it's been cleared. How are you protecting yours from being damaged?

The "haze" crap look is because of GI under inserts. The multiple lights have heated up and over time done a number on the plastic inserts. I have some of this as well. I would have to think the only fix would be to replace them, which I don't believe it possible given you cannot buy these inserts to my understanding.

I'm an LED guy, and in using these in there it saves them from further damage (unlikely for the small amount of home use you will contribute to), but also helps to mask the issue in the glow.

After all is done, you don't really notice as much as you think, but again, mine aren't that bad.

Mine had horrible ball trails. Treasure Cove took care of them. Had to go over them a few times but the results were worth the hard work. Now to find the energy to put this thing back together again.
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In regards to the shield crazing you may actually be able to clean them from the bottom. I think there is a clear layer on the inside of the shields that does this over time. If you run your finger nail over the insides you will probably be able to flake off some. I cleaned mine with alcohol and then applied a little water based clear with a brush. Mine were not as bad as the one above but definitely visible. This is after.

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So if you replace these things are you then suppose to clear coat the playfield?

That's an interesting idea, as the cracks are underneath. I'll put that on the never-ending list of stuff I hope to accomplish pin wise in the next 200 years.

Technically you shouldn't have to... inserts have been holding up for 70+ years without clear, but come on... if you're going to all that trouble, the game originally has clear on it, you're leaving rough edges exposed to ball travel if you don't...meh.... it's not something *I* would do. Make your own call.