Pinprick blemish in clear coat - what to do?

[Jib]

My Turtles has a tiny blemish in the clear coat. It hasn't got any worse but I'm wondering what's the best thing to ensure that going forward. Some kind of repair? I'm a bit nervous about messing up the surrounding area as it's such a small hole. Tiny spot of mylar? Nothing?

 

[kev a]

Can you feel the blemish? is it something inside the clearcoat or is it definitely a little hole? if you can feel a little indentation I would be tempted to clean the area thoroughly and apply a tiny bit of clearcoat with a cocktail stick until its flush with the surrounding area.

 

[Jib]

Can you feel the blemish? is it something inside the clearcoat or is it definitely a little hole? if you can feel a little indentation I would be tempted to clean the area thoroughly and apply a tiny bit of clearcoat with a cocktail stick until its flush with the surrounding area.

It's a little indentation, too small to feel just running a finger over it but if I run my nail over it I can feel it

 

[kev a]

probably best to wait for some input from more experienced members, but personally I would go with a bit of clear coat (Halfords car lacquer) on a cocktail stick, slow and steady apply a bit then wait for it to dry, if you can still feel it apply a tiny bit more, until its flush.

 

[Jib]

probably best to wait for some input from more experienced members, but personally I would go with a bit of clear coat (Halfords car lacquer) on a cocktail stick, slow and steady apply a bit then wait for it to dry, if you can still feel it apply a tiny bit more, until its flush.

Thanks, it's such a tiny indentation it'll be hard to get a small enough amount in there but hadn't thought of a cocktail stick so that might do it

 

[kev a]

Thanks, it's such a tiny indentation it'll be hard to get a small enough amount in there but hadn't thought of a cocktail stick so that might do it

The only other way I thought of would be with a little brush apply enough so its proud of the surface then with a Stanley blade on its side 'shave' the excess, but new Turtles PF, bit too scary

 

[Jib]

The only other way I thought of would be with a little brush apply enough so its proud of the surface then with a Stanley blade on its side 'shave' the excess, but new Turtles PF, bit too scary

Yeah that is a bit scary for me!

 

[Dex-Jay]

As above a dab of lacquer on a cocktail stick once the wax has been removed. It does look incredibly small though. Is the dark spot dirt in the dip? We'll need a hi-res pic up really close to be able to tell for sure.
A spec of dirt in lacquer isn't inheard of, in playfields? I have no idea but I doubt they're immune to it.

 

[Jib]

As above a dab of lacquer on a cocktail stick once the wax has been removed. It does look incredibly small though. Is the dark spot dirt in the dip? We'll need a hi-res pic up really close to be able to tell for sure.
A spec of dirt in lacquer isn't inheard of, in playfields? I have no idea but I doubt they're immune to it.

Yeah the dark spot is just dirt I can’t get out, it’s definitely an indentation and not dirt mixed in with the clear when applied. It’s hard to get a better photo because it’s so tiny, less than a mm

 

[Dex-Jay]

Yeah the dark spot is just dirt I can’t get out, it’s definitely an indentation and not dirt mixed in with the clear when applied. It’s hard to get a better photo because it’s so tiny, less than a mm

I'm 99% sure you'll get the dirt out with isopropol alcohol on a Q-tip. Failing that a dab of Novus paste (fine only) will do it. I'd clean it out, wax it and forget about it. Come back to it if any other dabs of lacquer are needed in the future.

 

[drhex]

Clear nail varnish, then polish. You may have trouble getting the dirt out first. If you can't make that happen you can as well leave it alone, very unlikely that you see damage spreading from there.

 

[Jib]

Thanks, I didn’t think it was likely to spread given it’s so small but I just wanted to check I wasn’t being hopeful. It’s hard to clean 100% to add a repair but I’ll give it another go but it sounds like it’s probably fine to just keep it waxed and keep an eye on it.

 

[Doug]

It depends if the dirt is in the last coat or two of lacquer. If it's just been done then be careful and do not put anything other than a 2 pack product on it or you run the risk of solvent damage. It can, with care, removed with 1500 or higher wet/dry paper. 3m sell de-nibbing blocks for their range of abrasives and I'd recommend using one of these to,get a dead flat surface. Then cut and polish with some farecla G3 or higher and then wax it. Just take your time, be careful and you should be fine.

 

[Sgt GrizZ]

My advice would be put away the magnifying glass , open a cold beer and play some pinball You'll probably find imperfections on every single pinball machine ever made.

 

[Epotech]

If you apply anything like clear etc you've locked in any blemish and or dirt. Stick a mylar circle over it as that is removeable.

 

[Rob zombie]

Send it back with a strongly worded letter of disapproval. Although to honest I'd be more concerned about those dimples over on the left...