Having had more than my fair share of playfields restored, I think that when a new reproduction playfield is available, I will buy it.
Nearly every playfield I've had restored cost more to restore than a repro would cost if one were available.
Now, when it's NOS vs restoring an original, it sometimes is more cost effective to restore the original.
That's also assuming the repros are of equivalent condition to the repros I've purchased - there are 2nd and 3rds and even 4ths sometimes, and sometimes, they are just not up to snuff.
The problem IMO with repairing an original playfield is that sometimes the artwork, clear, filler, etc get very thick. And sometimes, the inserts are damaged by being chipped etc.
Now, if you can repair your own playfields to your satisfaction, the cost is greatly reduced, and then, it might make sense to repair yours.
And, I've had a couple prototype playfields repaired and cleared, because they were different than production, and I'd never find another prototype playfield.
PFR has had a set of my playfields for 3 years, and another set for nearly that long, and I sometimes wonder when I'll see them. I have enough projects lined up, so I'm not concerned with when they get back, unless I get caught up. I probably have 4-5 years of projects at the current rate, so I'm not worried right now :)
