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Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Handy hints and tips => Topic started by: Strangeways on September 17, 2008, 12:45:28 PM

Title: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Strangeways on September 17, 2008, 12:45:28 PM

I've tried a few methods of removing ball swirl, and I think I've found the right process after checking on pins I've done over a year or more ago.

Both products are CHEAP and you can get them at any supermarket;

ISOCOL - Green plastic bottle with a croc on the front of it $5 - $8

Chux Magic Eraser - $3 for a pack of 8

Removing Ball Swirl

TIP - Clean the playfield with SHELLITE (Naptha) - and the Magic Eraser pads last heaps longer. All the surface dirt and wax will clog the ME.

Squirt the ISOCOL into the ME pad, and then press the pad against the playfield and then scrub the area with LIGHT pressure in a circular motion. Turn the pad over frequently and check the dirt is being removed from the playfield... Don't scrub too hard, or you could lift paint. A white residue is left behind - this is normal. Just wipe the affected area with ISOCOL on a rag.

One thing I picked up during the Flash playfield clean - If you have straight lines in the playfield - especially in the white areas where the plastics sit - run the ME in the area with the line. Straight sweeps will clean these lines - looks HEAPS better..

It can take 3 - 20 hours to do a complete playfield, depending on the area you need to clean.


(http://www.users.on.net/~nzambello/flash/Picture%20085.jpg)


Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: pinball god on December 01, 2008, 11:21:10 PM
Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Strangeways on December 01, 2008, 11:34:37 PM
Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?

To be honest - I have never seen really bad ball swirl on a DMD..You should be able to - try a test spot first.
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: ktm450 on December 04, 2008, 03:23:48 PM
Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?

Yeah, i've almost finished a resto on my TZ, used the above technique.  I didn't go overboard, as I didnt want to remove too much clear coat, but it does get most of the ball trails out and looks heaps better
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Strangeways on December 04, 2008, 08:12:40 PM
Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?

Yeah, i've almost finished a resto on my TZ, used the above technique.  I didn't go overboard, as I didnt want to remove too much clear coat, but it does get most of the ball trails out and looks heaps better

I think some Pinheads are using ME to clean the edges of factory mylar. Great idea.
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Nug on December 04, 2008, 08:22:41 PM
hey all good stuff, i will throw in however that indeed you must test always in inconspicous areas and also this 'isocol'...it really should be 100 % isopropal alcohol,, the medi lotion MAY have other ingredients that could pose long term issues with residue. if pure then this is brilliant as usually iso is in quantities that take 10 years to use  *%*
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Strangeways on December 04, 2008, 08:29:40 PM
hey all good stuff, i will throw in however that indeed you must test always in inconspicous areas and also this 'isocol'...it really should be 100 % isopropal alcohol,, the medi lotion MAY have other ingredients that could pose long term issues with residue. if pure then this is brilliant as usually iso is in quantities that take 10 years to use  *%*

Really hard to find 100% isolprophyl - even the pharmacies only stock 92%. Bunnings has 100% (I think) but it is only in small bottles.

I've used Isocol for 6 - 7 years without issue. Golden rule is to test an inconspicuous area, and never apply it direct to the playfield.
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Nug on December 04, 2008, 09:08:45 PM
hey sweet, im lucky with the refinery 'n' all !!!!
sounds like the go.   *%*
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Strangeways on December 04, 2008, 09:13:31 PM
hey sweet, im lucky with the refinery 'n' all !!!!
sounds like the go.   *%*

Can you get large quantities of isoprophyl, Nug ?  #$# #$#
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Nug on December 04, 2008, 09:22:28 PM
not really, it would be sorta like the 'great escape' with the dirt n all ! maybe 100-150 ml a shot ?! i then  because of statutory chemical inventory i would be visiting the solvents plant/lab for samples ' a little to regularly' !!! theyre funny like that   #$#
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Marty Machine on January 11, 2009, 05:55:13 PM
Silly question, but what is ball swirl? and what causes it and how do i know my pin has it? symptoms???

MM.
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Strangeways on January 11, 2009, 07:37:14 PM
Silly question, but what is ball swirl? and what causes it and how do i know my pin has it? symptoms???

MM.


Ballswirl is common on EMs and SS machines that were not protected by mylar. They are fine cracks in the lacquer (early form of a protective clearcoat) where dirt would collect and deposit. The term "swirl" is because it is believed that the fine cracks are created by the ball "spinning" in certain areas.

ME is effective in "getting into" these cracks and removing the dirt - without removing too much of the lacquer.
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Retropin on January 12, 2009, 12:14:27 AM
Yeh - looks like tiny bits of crazy paving
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: SPURR on January 27, 2009, 09:54:44 PM
Being a electronics tech I been using isoprophyl in a  pressure pack can known as contact cleaner or I find Supercheaps wax and grease remover comes in a 4 litre tin works well.
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: pinnies4me on January 27, 2009, 10:49:03 PM
I heard on the radio yesterday that urinating on it was good. Or was that for a jellyfish sting? What the heck, I might give it a go. Whose got a Fathom - covers both aspects...
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Retropin on January 28, 2009, 03:04:09 AM
LMFAO!!!!
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Pinball Fixers on January 30, 2009, 07:33:52 PM
I heard on the radio yesterday that urinating on it was good. Or was that for a jellyfish sting? What the heck, I might give it a go. Whose got a Fathom - covers both aspects...

Don't have a Fathom... but do have a Bally Playboy I could try it on for ya Nick &&
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: pinnies4me on February 04, 2009, 01:23:02 AM
Hmmmm - golden shower....
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Pinball Fixers on February 04, 2009, 11:02:20 AM
Hmmmm - golden shower....

 :lol :lol :lol
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: jyebow on February 04, 2009, 11:11:55 AM
Majic eraser & Isopropyl Alcohol works great.
 Jaycar have just started to stock Isopropyl Alcohol 200ml bottle for $6.95. Heaps cheaper than the 200ml bottle I bought at Bunnings.
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: Pinball Fixers on February 04, 2009, 11:22:22 AM
Majic eraser & Isopropyl Alcohol works great.
 Jaycar have just started to stock Isopropyl Alcohol 200ml bottle for $6.95. Heaps cheaper than the 200ml bottle I bought at Bunnings.

That's handy to know. Thanks jyebow!
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: ddstoys on March 22, 2009, 03:59:28 PM
I must try the ME if its good enough for you nino im willing to have a try
Title: Re: Removing Ball Swirl
Post by: shansta on July 27, 2009, 02:53:46 AM
I know this is an old thread... BUMP!

I use 100% pure isopropanol alcohol at work... (about 150lt a day!)

I would assume this is the same stuff you guys are talking about?

Be careful with that shit! Dip a pair of safety glasses in it and watch what happens!  !*!

Good for finding cuts in your hands too! (Bit like washing your hands with laundry powder!)

We get it in 44gal drums... Got about 6 drums in stock... 1Lt bottles pfffft!