@pinballlooking, OMG that topper is ridiculous! I want one! How, where can I get one just like this? Please PM me!

@cliffy, I made two changes to mine.

First, I noticed that the ball would sometimes rest between the edge of the scoop and the sharp edge of the scoop protector on the right where the lane is cut out. It's was only about 1.5 millimeters wide, but if the ball was slow enough, the groove between the two was large enough to give the ball a resting spot. By cutting out a bit of metal, I turned the sharp edge into a gentle U-shape. That took care of the groove as it now created a natural slant.

Second, after 20+ games, the protector would slightly shift or bend upwards on the right, turning the the opening of the guiding lane cutout into an obstacle. Again, I cut off a bit of metal to turn the hard angle of the cutout into a gentle, guiding curb.

Before making both these modifications, I had to open the table once a week and physically adjust the protector, but now it has been smooth going. If there's interest, I can take a some close up pictures to show what I did since it's hard to put into prose.