Since my games are at my house and not on location, I remove them. They will never be played enough to have a problem

Now just imagine the amount of ball wear you'd have there if the rings had never been applied at all. It would likely be bare wood all around them.

I *might* not replace them on a freshly clear-coated pf on a game I thought would only receive a few hundred plays in the next ten years... no wait, A) I don't own games like that, and B) I'd sleep alot better knowing they were protected.

On an original EM pf without clear-coat, never.

I get rid of them whenever I overhaul the pop bumpers unless it is on a very low play, or home use only from the beginning collectable machine.

Being able to buy solid ones would be nice, I've been saying that for ages. Protects and makes games with solid colors around the pop-bumpers (or not!) with wear look amazing. Even if it covers a design it's hell of a lot nicer than wear and would look like it was meant to be there.

Are these the adhesive or non-adhesive ones we're talking about?

Non adhesive I say remove them ...adhesive I say each to there own but I would probably keep them as probably do more damage removing them

I had a collectable pin that I didn't want to use the adhesive type on. I experimented with non-adhesive Mylar protectors and rubber cement. Time will tell, but so far so good.

Begin reading here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/bally-1970-double-up-minimalist-restoration/page/3#post-3074972

If the pop bumper protectors are adhesive and coming up, then I might remove them. I don't like the non-adhesive variety but if you feel like experimenting, buy some new non-adhesive pop bumper protectors and try the rubber cement trick. I doubt if rubber cement would hold up on route, but it just might in home use.

That thing is so rare you don't need mylar pop-bumper protectors you need grandma's couch protectors.

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I've got a friend's Abra Ca Dabra at my place currently and he put a full playfield protector on it. Looks and plays great, no concerns about further wear.

Since your playfield is already worn around where the outer edge of the ring is, you could replace them with new ones. Either the adhesive ones or the original style. Depending if you are planning to remove the pop bumper assembly. The adhesive protectors are in 2 pieces and can be placed on the playfield with the pop bumper in place.

There use to be adhesive wood grained ones, they didn't really blend in. They were a light tan not really a yellowed playfield match.

I replace them while rebuilding the pops. The line is already there and this helps hide it if anything.

I replace with non adhesive when I rebuild the pop bumpers on Gottlieb games. I keep my games clean so there is no dirt to get under them.

Where do I stand?

Usually on one side of the game or the other while I rip those suckers out.

Speaking of Vic Camp, he cut colored mylar to put over the wear around the pops so he didn't have to paint them. Could hardly tell until he mentioned it. Genius!

Remove non adhesive ones. Clean play field,wax,then install adhesive ones.
Play field clear coat? No trim platters.

I definitely remove the old ones if they are all dirty and worn. I will probably replace them with something, I think new non adhesive or adhesive ones depending on if I want to take the bumper assembly apart.

First choice - touch up and clear.
If too far gone - I use the adhesive ones - spray paint them, then rattle-can clear for added color protection.
Like you said - looks better than the damage they cover.

If they are loose floating rings they are gone. I don't care how clean you think your game is if they are loose it would likely be better you had nothing at all. Put the adhesive ones on once and your done.

And yes the ring is needed imo.

I remove loose ones, wax and then apply adhesive ones.

If I'm restoring a playfield, I always put new adhesive Mylar around the pops, or the pop pit.

On a case-by-case basis, I have often removed full playfield mylar but kept the pop rings. In either case, if the mylar is in great condition I leave them be.

I really don't think it matters which type of mylar you use in the home setting as, worn or not, it will no longer get commercial location type usage.

I prefer using some type of clear mylar after cleaning as there is some reflection, (pop-bumper lite on or off), which helps in hiding minor imperfections from touch-up or wear.

So does that help, Andy? You got every answer and some in between.

I had trouble finding this thread, so here are some additional key words to help the search engine:
acetate shield, trim platter, mylar full circle, pop bumper playfield mylar.

https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/66-MFC
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/B-8246

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