while working on fixing up my pinbot, i got to thinking: what quality do other pinsiders look for in a pinball machine? how important are cosmetics? are you okay with playfield wear or is it a no-no? cabinet fade? do you care if it has the topper (if applicable) or not? are there any folks out there okay with owning a beater machine that plays nice but doesn't look great?

the guy i got my pinbot from pretty much told me he wasn't really a 'collector' and just like having a couple pinball machines to play. it's in pretty good working order (except some tilt issue i'm thinking is a switch or diode issue), but rough shape physically (petrified mylar crust on the inserts, planking, areas under plastics/slings painted white with acrylic paints due to yellowing). i enjoy having something to work on would like to make it a little easier on the eye, but i've come to terms with it pretty much being a 'players' machine. my only concern is resale value, but if a few years down the road i came out even or a little less, i'd be happy.

thoughts?

lots of interesting insights. helps me remember why i'm putting all my work into my pinbot: it's nice to have a good looking machine. anyone else enjoy the work put into cleaning up a machine? i've only owned two so far and liked putting the work into it and the anxious build up to that first really nice play after getting it all cleaned up (though pinbot is more intensive than i had thought it was going to be, which is a little irritating).