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Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Handy hints and tips => Topic started by: illawarra_steelers on August 05, 2009, 04:04:19 PM

Title: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: illawarra_steelers on August 05, 2009, 04:04:19 PM
Just found this and thought it might come in handy....

http://www.rainfall.com/pinball1/machines/Gottlieb-Airport-1969/How-To-Make-Pinball-Plastics-Restoration-Repair.html
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: pinballist on August 05, 2009, 04:09:36 PM
Nice resource Tony, thanks for sharing mate :)

I gotta get me one of those Dremel tools!
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: deadlydave on August 10, 2009, 06:55:25 PM
Added link to my favorites  ^^^

Cheers
Dave
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: elkor-alish on August 10, 2009, 07:15:52 PM
Added link to my favorites  ^^^

Same here.

I'm really starting to get a good collection of resto sites happening.

Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: SPURR on August 11, 2009, 02:39:19 PM
Added link to my favorites  ^^^

Cheers
Dave
Me 3, Im going to try to make a whole set for my T2. Not sure about using the clear tape though.
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: elkor-alish on August 12, 2009, 12:17:35 AM
Me 3, Im going to try to make a whole set for my T2. Not sure about using the clear tape though.

Clear contact works and it's a bit easier to work with.
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: pinnies4me on August 12, 2009, 12:33:17 AM
Yes, the clear tape lost me - that stuff has a shelf life before it yellows/peels, and while it's easy to replace, I'd be thinking about clear contact or even mylar perhaps.
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: billstats on September 25, 2009, 09:50:41 PM
Just found this and thought it might come in handy....

http://www.rainfall.com/pinball1/machines/Gottlieb-Airport-1969/How-To-Make-Pinball-Plastics-Restoration-Repair.html
gday tony .i just read your thread on a cabinet you were preparing for painting ,Do you use a belt sander? or orbital ,& do you sand it down to the timber?...bill $#$
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: illawarra_steelers on September 25, 2009, 10:05:06 PM
Hi Bill,

Have found the best way is paint stripper used outdoors (those fumes can't be doing much for your lungs and brain).

Always wear a mask for the fumes, even outside....

Works well, sometimes you need to use 2 coats of the stuff, then hand sand down to the timber.

Hope this helps  *%*

What game are you preparing?

Want to trade your Flyning Circus yet?  #@#
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: illawarra_steelers on September 25, 2009, 10:07:09 PM
Should note (and most important) also use protective gloves - the paint stripper burns if accidently hits the skin  @.@
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: JD on September 26, 2009, 07:21:11 AM
Thanks Tony. Very informative.

J.D.
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: Mr Pinbologist on September 26, 2009, 12:09:33 PM
Not sure about using the clear tape though.
[/quote]

Me either. So the packing tape is all that holds the art in place.. on the edges?? hmmmmm... would be no good for plastics that have no clear border, ie that the art goes to the edge of the plastic. I agree mylar or contact would be a MUCH better choice. As mentioned the packing tape would yellow/fall off over time.

Also when drilling, the plastic would need to be held dead flat on a flat surface (piece of plywood/mdf etc) otherwise you might end up with plastic shavings between the printed art and the plastic.
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: pinball god on September 26, 2009, 05:01:10 PM
What about just printing on clear decals in reverse, apply and then paint the back with white paint. Looks a little more authentic but still doesn't beat screen printing.
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: billstats on September 26, 2009, 11:13:34 PM
Hi Bill,

Have found the best way is paint stripper used outdoors (those fumes can't be doing much for your lungs and brain).

Always wear a mask for the fumes, even outside....

Works well, sometimes you need to use 2 coats of the stuff, then hand sand down to the timber.

Hope this helps  *%*

What game are you preparing?

Want to trade your Flyning Circus yet?  #@# !*!Thanks for that tony ,I havnt really thought about using paint stripper /I used to use that gear years ago ,but it was stripping paint off car bodies.The machine i am working on is called LuLu an early 1950,s ,williams.....I also have another oldie I have been working on called Palisades ,these williams are great old machines ,& are good to play, I dont own that flying circus , LuLu has one of the woodrails removed ,(are they glued on? or are they screwed from underneath? thanks for your help...bill !@)
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: 63wizz on September 27, 2009, 05:09:10 PM
What about just printing on clear decals in reverse, apply and then paint the back with white paint. Looks a little more authentic but still doesn't beat screen printing.


I done some on clear printable self adhesive in reverse, stuck them on the underside of plastic then covered decal with white contact. ^^^

Ian
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: illawarra_steelers on September 28, 2009, 02:43:17 PM
Does anybody know of a lace that sells 1/16 Lexan/polycarbonate?
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: SPURR on September 30, 2009, 10:19:41 AM
Does anybody know of a lace that sells 1/16 Lexan/polycarbonate?

Tony I bought Lexan/polycarbonate? from a local company here in Newcastle but i went the next thickness up for strength. i will find out the company's name as these guy's deal in all types of perspex and Lexan/polycarbonate?
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: illawarra_steelers on September 30, 2009, 10:25:28 AM
Does anybody know of a lace that sells 1/16 Lexan/polycarbonate?

Tony I bought Lexan/polycarbonate? from a local company here in Newcastle but i went the next thickness up for strength. i will find out the company's name as these guy's deal in all types of perspex and Lexan/polycarbonate?

That would be great - thanks Mark
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: SPURR on October 01, 2009, 01:53:33 PM
Does anybody know of a lace that sells 1/16 Lexan/polycarbonate?

Tony I bought Lexan/polycarbonate? from a local company here in Newcastle but i went the next thickness up for strength. i will find out the company's name as these guy's deal in all types of perspex and Lexan/polycarbonate?
The company is called   Trident Plastic's 44 Munibung rd Cardiff NSW  ph 02 4954545.
the plastic he showed me is nowhere as brittle as perspex he called it PRTG balls hitting this wont damage it, it bends with out snapping.
An 8 x 4 sheet of it costs $127 thats a lot of pinball plastics!
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: ktm450 on October 01, 2009, 09:26:37 PM
How much do you need Tony, I have a heap at work I can send up to you for nothing if you cover the postage mate
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: illawarra_steelers on October 01, 2009, 11:18:00 PM
How much do you need Tony, I have a heap at work I can send up to you for nothing if you cover the postage mate

Matt - your a champ - PM sent  *%*
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: ktm450 on October 02, 2009, 07:27:33 PM
No probs mate, sent you a PM back to see if you only need 1.6mm or some 3mm as well
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: ddstoys on October 02, 2009, 10:23:10 PM
No probs mate, sent you a PM back to see if you only need 1.6mm or some 3mm as well

If there is any left Matt could i get some of the 1.6??????
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: daics3522 on October 03, 2009, 02:30:08 AM
The company is called   Trident Plastic's 44 Munibung rd Cardiff NSW  ph 02 4954545.
the plastic he showed me is nowhere as brittle as perspex he called it PRTG balls hitting this wont damage it, it bends with out snapping. An 8 x 4 sheet of it costs $127 thats a lot of pinball plastics!

Here is a pic of what they are talking about. I scored this yesterday from a local signwriter. It measures 1500mm x 450mm x 1.6mm .... Signwriter reckons he throws heaps of it out in similar sizes as customers pay for full sheets as part of standard jobs and is now going to keep it for me.....
(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo104/daics3522/PA020179.jpg?t=1254497339)
(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo104/daics3522/PA020177.jpg?t=1254497360)
(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo104/daics3522/PA020178.jpg?t=1254497381)
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: ktm450 on October 03, 2009, 12:40:28 PM
No probs mate, sent you a PM back to see if you only need 1.6mm or some 3mm as well

If there is any left Matt could i get some of the 1.6??????


No probs mate, let me know how much you need and I'll give it to you when we catch up next
Title: Re: Reproducing pinball plastics
Post by: ktm450 on October 03, 2009, 12:43:19 PM
How much do you need Tony, I have a heap at work I can send up to you for nothing if you cover the postage mate

Matt - your a champ - PM sent  *%*


Tony, I have posted the plastic off today, don't worry about fixing me up for anything the postage was only a few bucks.