Playfield Restorations ??

[Caveoftreasures]

In my travels I have seen various people and various techniques used for playfield restorations.

The standard method, used by professional operators in the industry, from what i have witnessed first hand, is to take photos of a mint playfield, reproduce plastic stencils, or an overlay (not stickers that are for sale via ebay etc that look like cheap junk) but a clear plastic industrial strength/thickness overlay that is printed on, then applied to the playfield and clearcoated, then, in some cases, a mylar applied, but only in some cases.

NOW, since the KISS pinball raised so many questions and opinions, about whether heat from bulbs, or too many games will stuff the playfield in a year or so, IT WOULD BE GREAT to hear from a member who is professional at playfield restorations who can set us all in the right direction, what their experience has been, whats the best way, WHOS THE BEST around to do these repairs etc...
.....any takers who can add their help with personal experience   

[greatwichjohn]

I have been working on a process of sanding playfields down to bare wood. They get cleared with 2 coats of Varethane Gloss waterbourne. Light lenses & wood areas masked & white paint sprayed. More Varethane coats & then they get printed on commercial inkjet printer. Than more Varethane & finish 2 coats of DuPont. A very hard process that I am still working on over the last 2 years. http://greatpinball.com/

[Caveoftreasures]

thanks for your input john.
there is a fellow here in queensland called Nik, who works for a local pinball company who seems to be a master at it.
his work is amazing...doesnt seem to many , if any others in the industry who specialise in this delicate process anymore.
I was hoping for a dozen different replys so the other members could benefit with local help from their areas.......

looks like my local guy is the man.