I disagree; a Cliffy will keep the playfield from getting damage. He only makes the protectors for areas that are highly likely to get damaged. If you have a playfield that is not damaged in an area that Cliffy makes a protector for, you just don't have that many games on the playfield. It will get worn over time, why not prevent the damage instead of repairing it later?

Some examples are your ramps like the wall on Rollergames or the center ramp on Police Force. These ramps are usually around $125 if they are available at all. If you do not put a Cliffy on the wall shot on RG, it WILL get broken and the ramps are nearly extinct. Same thing applies to the center PF ramp. With no protector, it WILL get broken and they cost over $100.

The switch slot protectors are the same as the ramps. If you have a ball dropping onto the playfield in the same place over and over it WILL cause damage after a while. Why not prevent the damage? It does not have to be a Cliffy. Mylar is installed on there for that reason, the prevent wear in certain areas. Mylar is not going to protect a ramp from getting cracked though.

IMO if there is a protector, you are on the path to have a damaged field, just need to play more games. If you do not install a protector, why wax the playfield? That protects. Why clean the playfield and replace the balls? They are going to do the same damage. It is preventative maintenance, DO IT.

To prevent wear. It will wear.

To be clear, I am talking about any protector, not just Cliffy's. Kerry ones will work fine. For the record, not all Kerry are for undamaged parts. Here is a link to the Cyclone ramp protector that is designed to prevent damage or fill in a gap if there is damage already there.

http://www.mantisamusements.com/cyclone.protkit.htm

The end of the day, you can do what ever you want and use any protector you want, but if you are not using protectors, you will have damage in the high risk areas that they make protectors for. If you get a pin from me and there is a protector available that I know about, it will be installed. My ramps will not be broken with pieces missing.

I understood what you were saying. I was editing my first comment when you replied. That is why I wanted to ensure everyone knew I was talking about any protectors, not just Cliffys.

The comment about repair first is spot on. If you put a protector over a damaged area without repair first, the protector will not last long.

Yes!!

If you do not it is just as bad as not cleaning the pin or changing balls. They are for the same reason.

PREVENTION