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Aussie Pinball Forums => Restorations => Topic started by: Marty Machine on December 14, 2008, 12:23:27 AM

Title: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Marty Machine on December 14, 2008, 12:23:27 AM
Hi All,

I've stripped down 3 playfields today and want to clean them up as best as possible.
I probably won't go to the point of touching up any paintwork or whatever.

I just wanted to know the mest method(s) and materials i should use to clean playfields up?

They're a bit dusty and grimy being in storage with no glass to protect them and i realise i DON'T use water (why is that anyway?).

I'm sure everyone will say "use Novus" but i thought that was more for the final clean and finish after the initial heavy dirt/grit removal is complete?

Please enlighten me  &&
Marty Machine.
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Retropin on December 14, 2008, 12:49:39 AM
I always use meths on a rag - dont let it near the apron though as it will strip the paint.
Does wonders with Magic Eraser also - go easy with this if its an old PF - 50's, 60's - any drap felt on it and stop as its rubbing the paint away.

But general purpose cleaning - meths is my choice
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Marty Machine on December 14, 2008, 12:57:44 AM
They're all mid-late 70's? gottliebs (cleopatra, Close encounters, Buck Rogers)

I have "special meths" aka isopropyl alcohol if that's better than regular hardware store meths? or is isopropyl too hard and rip everything off?

Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Retropin on December 14, 2008, 02:41:43 AM
Isopropyl is fine, just expensive to use for general cleaning. Meths is cheap and handy to come by.
Both will be fine on the pF;s you are talking about. I never use anything but meths no matter what era the machine is from - dissolves dirt and grease like a charm.

On 50's and 60's games if you use Magic Eraser then you have to be careful - they arent sealed the same as later pins. The meths is fine on them, but the ME can start to rub the paint away
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: illawarra_steelers on December 14, 2008, 08:50:58 AM
Eucalyptus oil is another I would highly recommend!

Sounds stupid but is a great cleaner!

Also smells nice!
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Marty Machine on December 14, 2008, 11:39:12 AM
Thanx Guys,

I'll carefully try some regular meths on my PFs....

I actually used Eucalyptus oil over the years to clean up MANY things that couldn't be cleaned by other cleaning products, amazing stuff.

Marty
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Strangeways on December 14, 2008, 12:07:12 PM

Check out some of my resto threads Marty - in particular 0 the Sinbad Resto..

In a nutshell ;

Compressed Air - Clean out the CRAP with compressed air - back and front
Nifti - I love Nifti.. "Nifti in one hand and rag in another"..Spray on the rag, not the playfield
Novus 2 - It is gently abrasive on playfields - test on plastics, and don't do the reverse side of the plastics
Paste Wax - Meguiars' Carnuaba Wax - I swear by this product

Water expands the wood.



Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Pinball Fixers on December 15, 2008, 12:49:33 PM

Check out some of my resto threads Marty - in particular 0 the Sinbad Resto..

In a nutshell ;

Compressed Air - Clean out the CRAP with compressed air - back and front
Nifti - I love Nifti.. "Nifti in one hand and rag in another"..Spray on the rag, not the playfield
Novus 2 - It is gently abrasive on playfields - test on plastics, and don't do the reverse side of the plastics
Paste Wax - Meguiars' Carnuaba Wax - I swear by this product

Water expands the wood.


I with Nino on this one...

I also love Nifti, but you do have to be careful with it. As Nino has said - never spray Nifty directly on to the playfield, always onto the rag. And don't rub too long in the one place.
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: 63wizz on December 15, 2008, 09:49:10 PM
where do you get this NIFTI from, Supermarket !@# !@#
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Retropin on December 15, 2008, 10:08:20 PM
where do you get this NIFTI from, Supermarket !@# !@#

Looked ion Bunnings - but no luck
Title: Re: Cleaning "stripped down" Playfields - How ????
Post by: Pinball Fixers on December 15, 2008, 10:34:23 PM
where do you get this NIFTI from, Supermarket !@# !@#

Looked ion Bunnings - but no luck

Yeah, from the supermarket - in the cleaning isle. You will find it in a trigger pack, much the same as a windex bottle...