Stick with Naphtha.

Naphtha generally doesn't react to playfield topcoats or paints.

Paint thinner does.

Keep in mind that you're stripping the topcoat with magic eraser. Don't do that unless you're prepared to replace the topcoat with something, otherwise you're just leaving the bare paint, which will wear down fairly quickly.

Naphtha is similar to Mineral Spirits, but stronger. I’d stick with Naphtha, the price isn’t hugely different.

Paint thinner could be very different between brands or even batches, so I’d stay well away.

This is kind of a non-issue because he lives in California like me. We can’t buy any of it anymore. I have to pick up my supplies in Nevada.

You can buy naphtha in Cali....I use this all the time and it is straight naptha.
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Typical California bureaucratic nonsense.. .

True but there is additives it that version of it. I prefer to cross state lines and get the 100% naphtha thing.

The only thing like that you can now get in California is camping fuel. Have you priced oil based paint in California lately (this year)? The few places that still carry it charge $30 a quart and it is the crappy California mix of the paint. Next time you plan an out of state road trip head to a Home Depot and stock up on supplies.

Bootleg naptha.
Gotta love it!

Coleman fuel is my go to for cleaning before paint projects.
Fast drying no residue.
Always use it for varnishing/paint jobs on wooden boats or furniture.
The final finish turns out great.
The Proprietary additives have never been a problem.
It is more expensive but I endorse Coleman fuel for naphtha cleaning.

I was in the same boat trying to locate Naphtha where I'm located. Most places I called never heard of it let alone where to get it. So in my research I noticed people who repair guitars and such use the same product. However, they call it Recochem camp fuel.

In Canada its sold as EMZone lighter fluid at Canadian Tire or Ronsonal.

NAPA Autoparts carry the Recochem Camp fuel https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/RCE14434

If you look for Recochem there are lots of places around the world that carry it and most listed as 100% Naphtha.

The Coleman brand has additives to prevent rust in stove tanks while stored. Also an oil to help lubricate Coleman stove pumps. So though Coleman is Naphtha it has other ingredients which could cause problems when used prior to clearing or painting etc. It evaporates similar to Naphtha but in some cases can leave a residue/film behind.

Hope this helps someone.

I picked up a new gallon of Coleman fuel from RI, it does not match what others are showing as Coleman fuel here nor does it smell like Naphtha. I used a little on a playfield and did not notice any adverse effects however.

gdonovan yes its hit and miss. There is so much cross branding its hard to tell what your getting. I bought a small container of Coleman fuel and when I poured it into a jar it had a blue color to it. As I was researching I came across some other groups on reddit I think. Guitar painters on there had mentioned not using it because of the additives and causing problems with paints not sticking afterwards.

I had another tin in the garage and had a look at its color. It was clear but also about 10 years older too so perhaps something changed in the manufacturing along the way. The reason I didn't use it originally as it was old and I was afraid on continents....little did I know I was probably better that the new coleman stuff I had bought

either wat lots of alternatives out there. I'd like to get my hands on rapidprep but again another product no where to be found where I live. I tried all the autobody shops but everyone uses the dupi-color or Wash 'n' Wipe 4105S. Reading up on that stuff but think it would eat the lens inserts.