Top Ball Arch Wear & Repair

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Howdy,

I have a '68 Spin Wheel in which the playfield is almost finished. Now
the only thing that makes it look bad is the ball arch at the top of
the playfield. It's obvious and nasty! What is the best way to make
that arch disappear? I assume sanding is in order, but I would really
like to hear suggestions of paper grit, etc. Also, are there any
chemicals recommended for removing the old clear coat on the wood part
of the playfield so as to remove the darkness from the wood or is that
just a lot more sanding?

I really appreciate suggestions.

Thank you everyone,
Mark

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

That is well covered at
http://www.marvin3m.com/restore/index3.htm#arch
including grits, etc.

mdefrayne@mindspring.com wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> I have a '68 Spin Wheel in which the playfield is almost finished. Now
> the only thing that makes it look bad is the ball arch at the top of
> the playfield. It's obvious and nasty! What is the best way to make
> that arch disappear? I assume sanding is in order, but I would really
> like to hear suggestions of paper grit, etc. Also, are there any
> chemicals recommended for removing the old clear coat on the wood part
> of the playfield so as to remove the darkness from the wood or is that
> just a lot more sanding?
>
> I really appreciate suggestions.
>
> Thank you everyone,
> Mark

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I am not sure that I have the right thing in mind, but I have had some
luck cleaning up the heavy, dark ball track left on the bare wood upper
portion of EM playfields. I am not sure if that is what you are
referring to as a ball arch, but if it is, I have had pretty good luck
getting those ball tracks off with a magic eraser with isoproyl alcohol
on it. Magic eraser also works well in the ballshooter channel,
getting dirt out of the groove.

Not sure if this is on target or useful, but thought that it could not
hurt.

Ron


mdefrayne@mindspring.com wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> I have a '68 Spin Wheel in which the playfield is almost finished. Now
> the only thing that makes it look bad is the ball arch at the top of
> the playfield. It's obvious and nasty! What is the best way to make
> that arch disappear? I assume sanding is in order, but I would really
> like to hear suggestions of paper grit, etc. Also, are there any
> chemicals recommended for removing the old clear coat on the wood part
> of the playfield so as to remove the darkness from the wood or is that
> just a lot more sanding?
>
> I really appreciate suggestions.
>
> Thank you everyone,
> Mark

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Hi Ron,

Yup! That's the issue. I did a good ME on it and it certainly helped
remove a lot of dirt. The issue is how light the trail looks against
the darkness of the playfield and the trail is fairly deep at times.
Because the machine is 37 years old, the wood has really darkened in
the playfield compared to how light the wood looks where it was shaded
from light. The difference is huge.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

mdefra...@mindspring.com wrote:
> Hi Ron,
>
> Yup! That's the issue. I did a good ME on it and it certainly helped
> remove a lot of dirt. The issue is how light the trail looks against
> the darkness of the playfield and the trail is fairly deep at times.
> Because the machine is 37 years old, the wood has really darkened in
> the playfield compared to how light the wood looks where it was shaded
> from light. The difference is huge.
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

What's wrong with a game having a little "character"?

It has, after all, been around for 37 years.

Dave

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I have seen exactly what you are describing. It does not bother me all
that much, but this is your game, and the only thing that really
matters is if it bothers you. I think that the steps described by Clay
are the next logical direction for you to look if you are not happy
with the difference in shading.
Good luck with your project.

Ron

mdefra...@mindspring.com wrote:
> Hi Ron,
>
> Yup! That's the issue. I did a good ME on it and it certainly helped
> remove a lot of dirt. The issue is how light the trail looks against
> the darkness of the playfield and the trail is fairly deep at times.
> Because the machine is 37 years old, the wood has really darkened in
> the playfield compared to how light the wood looks where it was shaded
> from light. The difference is huge.
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Ron,

Thanks! I'm not looking to make the machine perfect. But I would like
the wood color to blend as much as possible. I used ME on another
machine and the ball track almost completely disappeared and the little
bit of track that remained doesn't bother me. The track on the Spin
Wheel is just too deep to ignore.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Ron-I brush on a little bit of clear poly over the "ball track"(with a
small brush and the "magnifiers" on...you can build it up so it helps
level the "track" depth up to the playfield level) and in the shooter
lane when I get the results as you have. It looks dark at first, but
when it dries it lightens up. You could try a little test area under
the score card tray to see if you like the results. Hope that may help
you. This works fine for me, but maybe not for other hobbyists. Good
luck!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

OOPS!...Sorry...make that ATT:Mark not Ron

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

I sand it with 220 dry AFTER using the Magic Eraser on it. Clear with
varathane and its disappears. honest

mdefrayne@mindspring.com wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> I have a '68 Spin Wheel in which the playfield is almost finished. Now
> the only thing that makes it look bad is the ball arch at the top of
> the playfield. It's obvious and nasty! What is the best way to make
> that arch disappear? I assume sanding is in order, but I would really
> like to hear suggestions of paper grit, etc. Also, are there any
> chemicals recommended for removing the old clear coat on the wood part
> of the playfield so as to remove the darkness from the wood or is that
> just a lot more sanding?
>
> I really appreciate suggestions.
>
> Thank you everyone,
> Mark
>

--
Cliffy - CARGPB2
A passion for pinball!
http://www.passionforpinball.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Thanks guys! I feel better about removing the ball trail. I've spent
a lot of time on this puppy and it is my first restoration. I can't
help but get a bit paranoid when I am getting so close to the end.

Thank you all,
Mark