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Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Handy hints and tips => Topic started by: Marty Machine on April 26, 2009, 11:32:19 PM

Title: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: Marty Machine on April 26, 2009, 11:32:19 PM
Has anyone managed to successfully flatten out old warped and droppy plastics?

I have a few plastics on various machines which have buckled or drooped due to heat from the globes?
or maybe heat form being in a sunny shop window??

Are their cures for this? other than "buy replacement plastics"

Thanx in advance,
MM.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: millsy on April 26, 2009, 11:35:56 PM
Grab a heat gun and 2 heavy books
Place the plastic on level surface -heat till flattens out -then place heavy book on plastic till cools
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: Marty Machine on April 26, 2009, 11:49:51 PM
I thought of that, but my concern was for the plastic to become soft enough, means the artwork-ink will have peeled off at that stage..
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: millsy on April 27, 2009, 12:08:30 AM
I did this on all the plastics on my Bally Bazaar -did not affect the ink at all, I was a bit worried that I would destroy them.Not sure if you can do any damage on the later machines,I followed the demonstration on Shaggy & Norms This Old Pinball DVD.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: Strangeways on April 27, 2009, 12:18:12 AM

Wotto used to have a great guide on his website.

I've used the "oven method" many times without any issues
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: 63wizz on April 27, 2009, 09:20:34 AM
yea i have used the oven method as well worked fine for me, then i had some plastics on my HH that would not fit in the oven
so i cooked them on the back window ledge of the car sitting in the sun, but no good this time of year not enough heat in it, but
they flattened out beautifully.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: ktm450 on April 27, 2009, 10:33:54 AM
Heat gun and two pieces of glass.
Heat up till soft, the plastic will warp more then settle down flat.
Then sandwich between two sheets of glass or perspex with some weight (books etc.)
Use a medium setting on the heat gun and dont go overboard or your plastic can get small heat bubbles in it.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: ddstoys on April 27, 2009, 10:23:16 PM
Yeah i was amazed with the two sheets of glass on the back window but it works. Also use the oven method when its cold
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: pinnies4me on April 30, 2009, 09:02:13 PM
heat gun for me. Done it on plastics from the 1970's through to DMD ones, never had an artwork issue. But if you live further north, use the sun!
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: ajlaird on April 30, 2009, 10:59:38 PM
heat gun for me. Done it on plastics from the 1970's through to DMD ones, never had an artwork issue. But if you live further north, use the sun!

Will a hair dryer do the job, or is more heat required?
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: Astroboy on April 30, 2009, 11:50:12 PM
Perhaps.
Heatgun worked for me also on 74 Skylab plastics. Take it slow with heatgun held plenty away from the plastic.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: pinnies4me on May 01, 2009, 12:00:24 PM
Will a hair dryer do the job, or is more heat required?

Never tried, but if its a decent unit I suspect it will, but will take a little longer for the plastics to heat up enough.

As mentioned, don't panic if they start to warp worse - that's what happens. They curl a little more, then suddenly flatten. Once virtually flat under their own weight, drop on a book for half an hour while they cool.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: pict on May 01, 2009, 01:09:40 PM
I had to flatten all my plastics of my pinball only a few months ago which were very warped.

I bought a heatgun from Bunnings which was probably less then $20. Used the low settings and started well away from the plastic. I was suprised how little heat it needed to bend and I was careful not to overheat as I did not want to do any damage to the artwork (which was on the bottom).

Once it was starting to bent I clamped it in to position. And let it stand for say 30 mins. Some of the badly warped pieces I had to repeat this process a couple of times. Each time it got better and better.

Anyway, no damage was made to any of the plastics and they looked 100x better.

Thanks Mark
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: ajlaird on May 01, 2009, 07:52:35 PM
When I get around to doing something for Mousin' Around I will definitely try the heat-gun, then. Looks like a good option.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: Marty Machine on May 01, 2009, 11:49:05 PM
Wow! i'm still amazed the heatgun (although low-heat and distant) just doesnt fry the ink off at all, nice one.

I have more confidence now to flatten a few plastics here.
I'll start on the ones that i KNOW i can buy if i screwup :lol

Thanx guys.
MM.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: ajlaird on May 01, 2009, 11:54:17 PM
Yeah, I know where to get some second-hand plastics for Mousin' Around! if needed (I might get them anyway as I suspect they are better than mine). So I wouldn't see too much risk in it.
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: ddstoys on May 02, 2009, 12:32:17 PM
If you can get a spare set you should as you never know when one will be broken by a stray ball etc
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: ajlaird on May 02, 2009, 12:34:09 PM
If you can get a spare set you should as you never know when one will be broken by a stray ball etc

Ah, that's how your shed gets so full!!!
Title: Re: How do i flatten-out plastics????
Post by: studley67 on May 27, 2009, 10:29:03 PM
i used the heat gun method,phone books and my twelve year old son to sit on them $#$