Tom Coulton
Registered
I am buying a GOTG pro and would like to start with as much playfield protection as possible. What is best to use and where is the best source to buy them.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Pinball info
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Playfield protectors
- Thread starter Tom Coulton
- Start date
Playfield Protectors
Playfield Protectors - Full Protection for Your Pinball Machine... Established 2013
www.playfield-protectors.com
Personally I hate them, but each to their own!
Not really needed on a modern game tbh as the playfields will hold up just fine in home play. I use them on older games where I'm dealing with paint touch ups and cupped inserts and they're really good in those situations IMHO 
Tom Coulton
Registered
Thank you.Not really needed on a modern game tbh as the playfields will hold up just fine in home play. I use them on older games where I'm dealing with paint touch ups and cupped inserts and they're really good in those situations IMHO
The protectors do also bring problems - dirt can get trapped under them, they are a pain to fit, balls can get stuck on star rollovers
As per @ronsplooter , best on the 70s and 80s pre diamond plate/ clearcoat games
As per @ronsplooter , best on the 70s and 80s pre diamond plate/ clearcoat games
That’s true but some of those new playfields are crap so some people like to add them, I have a few fitted and are great for the older games for the reasons you have given. I would rather have an original playfield where possible given the issues I have seen with CPR’s and Mirco’sNot really needed on a modern game tbh as the playfields will hold up just fine in home play. I use them on older games where I'm dealing with paint touch ups and cupped inserts and they're really good in those situations IMHO
I gotta admit I must be lucky with these playfields as *touch wood* these have been fine for me.That’s true but some of those new playfields are crap so some people like to add them, I have a few fitted and are great for the older games for the reasons you have given. I would rather have an original playfield where possible given the issues I have seen with CPR’s and Mirco’s
I find a lot of it requires good preperation to avoid any issues.
Failing that you could just get the playfields sent off for a thicker/better clear coat.
I had to send one back to CPR because the digital print was off, inserts not flat and the shooter lane switch not cut out!
The replacement was better but not as good as the original print wise, I have let it sit for a year and only have a couple of slightly sunken inserts in a climate controlled room. But after only a few weeks of receiving it and storing it like Kruzman told me it started to warp and I heard other people saying this happens so had to screw rails/timber down the sides to keep it flat.
Seen ghosting of inserts, soft clearcoat pooling, clear lifting thats not near any drilling. No prep will stop that, you also need to let the playfields sit for months to let the wood settle. That’s when you know if the inserts will still be level, if the clear isn’t hard it will never get hard as it’s all in the activator when it’s sprayed.
I would definitely have more clear coat put on a Mirco playfield if I was forced to use one.
£100 and an hour or 2 fitting a playfield protector and job done for me where possible, mine play great but can understand if someone wants a mint restore but thank god I’m over them
I use them on a few games. Changes the way they play and many don't like that, but I'm not bothered enough to care - they're my games so I'll do what I want to them.
Can occasionally create a ball trap if not fitted right or cut to shape properly, easily remedied though. Sometimes a ball-ache to fit as you have to remove things 1st - depends on the game. I tend to strip and clean a game before playing it too hard, I just like to know how it goes together, so I'm doing 95% of the work required anyway.
If your GOTG Pro has been used heavily onsite then maybe it's worthwhile, but if it's low use then I doubt it's worthwhile unless you're already taking the time strip and clean it, in which case then why not.
Can occasionally create a ball trap if not fitted right or cut to shape properly, easily remedied though. Sometimes a ball-ache to fit as you have to remove things 1st - depends on the game. I tend to strip and clean a game before playing it too hard, I just like to know how it goes together, so I'm doing 95% of the work required anyway.
If your GOTG Pro has been used heavily onsite then maybe it's worthwhile, but if it's low use then I doubt it's worthwhile unless you're already taking the time strip and clean it, in which case then why not.
I had to send one back to CPR because the digital print was off, inserts not flat and the shooter lane switch not cut out!
The replacement was better but not as good as the original print wise, I have let it sit for a year and only have a couple of slightly sunken inserts in a climate controlled room. But after only a few weeks of receiving it and storing it like Kruzman told me it started to warp and I heard other people saying this happens so had to screw rails/timber down the sides to keep it flat.
Seen ghosting of inserts, soft clearcoat pooling, clear lifting thats not near any drilling. No prep will stop that, you also need to let the playfields sit for months to let the wood settle. That’s when you know if the inserts will still be level, if the clear isn’t hard it will never get hard as it’s all in the activator when it’s sprayed.
I would definitely have more clear coat put on a Mirco playfield if I was forced to use one.
£100 and an hour or 2 fitting a playfield protector and job done for me where possible, mine play great but can understand if someone wants a mint restore but thank god I’m over them
Looks like I've been lucky as I've done the following playfield swaps:
Mirco:
ToM x 2 (soon to be X3)
CFTBL
Fish Tales
CPR:
Addams Family
With Mirco I had the greatest positive results in relation to dimple accuracy and mech positions.
CPR clear coat felt better between the two with swirl marks appearing earlier on with Mircos.
So far I've heard nothing back from any game in regards to chipping or pooling and I've had zero sunken inserts.
I might just be lucky in the fact I'm ordering 'new stock' or just got lucky with a good batch.
The best playfield so far was from Brathumberg with the Roadshow but he doesn't seem to get many licenses on titles..
Yeah Brathumberg are supposed to be good, CGC also very good and my Spooky Halloween is very good so can be done.
Time will tell.
Time will tell.
Tom Coulton
Registered
Just put some wax on it, job done.
Out of curiosity, what’s the best way to store a playfield long term to prevent any warping?
This is what worked for me, rails/timber screwed down the sides and weight each end and middle.
Expensive floor art though, after a year I think its safe to fit
