I'm not a fan of using mylar on a new or cleared playfield. Mylar is difficult to remove, is obvious to the eye, and sometimes makes play less smooth, depending on the thickness of the mylar. New or cleared playfields that are cleaned and have balls changed with appropriate frequency will last a REALLY long time in a home environment.

If there are specific areas prone to wear, consider Cliffy's / metal protectors for high wear areas. Lastly, if you're really concerned you can get a protector that covers the entire playfield. They're made by a German company and can be removed. It's a bit of work to install them, but at least they're removable.

This is a personal preference - there is no absolute right or wrong. Enjoy the new playfield!

You will get mixed reactions on this one. I personally have put down mylar on 7 year cured CPR clear coated playfields, but only in specific spots I knew were subject to wear and very carefully. Specifically, I put down mylar around the pops in the Attack From Mars I did a playfield swap on, and in the Stroke of luck. I wouldn't mylar everything.

I would. Those are still high wear areas. You can always remove them but you can't walk back surface damage without a lot of headaches.

Unless it is going on route dont do it. It has ample protection for home use.

I agree.
And quality material mylar is almost invisible, and removal is not as hard as original mylars.

Curious about responses.
Recently picked up a diamond plate Rollergames that had new mylar applied.
Did a damn good job but probably didn’t need it.

if you prep the areas where you are placing mylar shouldn't be an issue!
thinking the paint comes off when applied to an uncured playfield !

Nope, no way on a home use machine.
It’s like putting 2 condoms on for your wife.

I personally mylar around the pop bumpers, as this is an area that usually isn't highly visible, and consequently can also be a difficult area to keep clean. With a quality cured coat, even this is probably unnecessary. A search of pinside will tell you most new PF issues (even repros) are with chipping and pooling, and not wear which mylar is designed to address. A nice NOS playfield will already have mylar, and probably doesn't need it.

Well, in the case of my ex-wife, that would have been a smart idea!

I put mylar in the high wear areas. Wax first before putting it down, so it can be removed easier later.

Personally, I do everything I can to protect against damage and wear for as long as possible.

If it’s cc then I don’t

Second.

I doubt it’s necessary on a new cc in a home environment. But myself being anal retentive I probably could not resist a little bit on high wear areas like ball drops etc. certainly not a whole pf Mylar though

I would put mylar in select areas, such as where the ball drops from the ramp on the left inlane, at the scoop entrances, and the rocket launcher. I would put cliffy's on too.

I picked up funhouse some years back with a cleared playfield, but it had developed an unfortunate dent with cracks in it from a ball drop before I had gotten my hands on it (the steps exit in the left orbit). There was no mylar there, unfortunately.

You mention clear coat on your TZ but not what level or by whom. The clear coat provided on reproduction or NOS playfields is essentially Diamond Plate. It is better than nothing but will wear accordingly. Aftermarket or professional clear coat that was applied by HSA, Kruzman, HEP, myself and others is much different and will last indefinitely without mylar under home use.

I have been using professionally clear coated playfields for about 20 years, my first being a TAF done by Playfield Renovations. With 20 years of home use, it still looks as good as the day I installed it. I have had similar luck with my HSA playfields and now do them myself. It may not be necessary, but I do still use cliffy protectors on games with drop holes.

I usually put a small circle of mylar on areas that balls drop onto, i.e. wireforms that drop near slingshot areas. I don't think it's necessary but I do it out of habit. Otherwise, there is no need for mylar anywhere.

I wouldn't do any more. It's amazing how durable that stuff is and 6 coats is plenty.

In my opinion - Don’t do these. Not necessary and will negatively affect ball travel and game play.

In every restored or brand new clear coated playfield I have installed in my games, I always make sure to install Mylar on known high traffic areas: pop bumpers nests, ball drops under ramp exits, scoop ejects, and other areas known to wear quickly.

It’s cheap insurance and provides an easily removed sacrificial barrier down the road.