Playfields - Repo or Original?

[thefasteddy69]

Just wondering what other members thoughts are on reproduction playfields and original playfields.

With the amount of work that goes into some of the restorations on some playfields just wondering at what stage does it justify a new one.

Or as well if there is a brand new spanking clear coated PF does it warrant a change out over the original? Is the orginal the best unless there is no chance of a decent result?

[Retropin]

Main issue here is that very few PF's are available as repro.
When im quoting a PF restore, im always aware of the fact that at some point it would be easier to go get another made. I can honestly say that the amount i quote is never reflected in the amount of work that has gone into it.. were i to do this for a living i would have to double my prices - easy.
BUT... there is a HUGE difference between restoring and restoring... in other words a good clean up and touch up makes a PF really shine again - looks awesome.. but if a make a PF look like factory issue again, then almost every single part must be redone... takes months of work to do a single PF.

If i had more than  1 at a time of the same game then this is much easier and i can change my methods to suit multiple restores.

Or as well if there is a brand new spanking clear coated PF does it warrant a change out over the original? Is the orginal the best unless there is no chance of a decent result?

Depends on the amount of work required to bring the old one back to life again.... one simple gauge is that IF there is flaking of the paint, then you can guarantee that by time you have removed the flakey old paint - your problem has expanded 3 fold ... bear this in mind if attempting a restore - what you see is not your problem... its bigger than you think!

Not all PF's should be CC'd - if customer demands it then it has to be done, but personally this really is a last resort.. i try NOT to do it.
 If a touch up is done - no matter how big it is then automotive acrylic will hold up well if waxed.
If necessary then "spot" protection can be done - no need to cover the whole PF and also no need to use CC
Bear in mind that IF you CC a whole PF especially EM or SS machines - the game will never play the same again.. theres a lot of charm lost on a CC'd PF and "charm" s what its all about with many machines

[Strangeways]

I think repro playfields are the way to go for SS machines that have wear beyond repair. I have several repros (IPB and CPR), and these are for my Keeper pins. I will buy more as they become available. So my "line up" will have repro playfields - KISS, Fathom, Medusa, Flash Gordon and Flight2000.

For machines that don't have repros available, then the next option is to restore - but you need to rely on the restorer to make the division as to whether the playfield is economically viable. As Gav mentioned - it takes time, but it will be worth it.

When to change over ? If you have the $$, just do it.

[pinnies4me]

Thanks for the insight Gav, interesting thoughts. Must say, I have not tried playfield repair as my colour matching skills are weak at best.

[chris288]

Another good point worth remembering is that some playfields that have been repro'd actually have some improvements over the originals.

I think when some originals were done 30 odd years ago there may have been a tendency at times to "rush through" the playfield so as to get the machine on the market and maybe the art department couldn't spend as much time on the PF as they would have liked.
 Maybe Nino or Tony who are very knowledgable on pinball history would know better than me on this, but I do know from reading CPR's updates on playfield and BG printing that they have incorporated some improvements over the originals.
Some recent examples would be Eight Ball Playfield and Fathom Playfield where they used a deeper blue for the inserts.

[greatwichjohn]

I got to say maybe the original restored to new life is the way to go. The ultimate in reusing what has already been made. I still think the plywood is way better 20+ years ago. Hopefully others can offer restorations with direct ink around the world. Its a slow process getting people to supply art files for playfield restorations. http://s36.photobucket.com/home/greatwichjohn/index

[johnwartjr]

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 :)

[Strangeways]

Another good point worth remembering is that some playfields that have been repro'd actually have some improvements over the originals.

I think when some originals were done 30 odd years ago there may have been a tendency at times to "rush through" the playfield so as to get the machine on the market and maybe the art department couldn't spend as much time on the PF as they would have liked.
 Maybe Nino or Tony who are very knowledgable on pinball history would know better than me on this, but I do know from reading CPR's updates on playfield and BG printing that they have incorporated some improvements over the originals.
Some recent examples would be Eight Ball Playfield and Fathom Playfield where they used a deeper blue for the inserts.

Fathom initial run had some issues because I believe the films that CPR obtained were in fact not the final product. They worked off a prototype. Some playfield lettering was placed incorrectly. What CPR strive to do is have the original colors. NOS playfields have faded, so the Blue became a Greenish color. Their repro should be faithful to the original.

[thefasteddy69]

OK. Thanks for the replies and insights guys, I always like to keep everything original if possible. Gav has a point that there are a limited number of pins with repo's. So this alternative is not always an option.

My colour matching skills are also pretty ordinary as well, so wasn't sure if a playfield swap was a feasible alternative compared to an timely restore. Also have seen Gav's and Tony's excellent work on this forum and I must say that there is no way these skills are picked up overnight.
 
I have a CPR Xenon stored away for future use as an alternative, as my wife really has been on my back to move my favourite pin SI because she can't stand the artwork. She has also taken my cashcard..
 

[Strangeways]

OK. Thanks for the replies and insights guys, I always like to keep everything original if possible. Gav has a point that there are a limited number of pins with repo's. So this alternative is not always an option.

My colour matching skills are also pretty ordinary as well, so wasn't sure if a playfield swap was a feasible alternative compared to an timely restore. Also have seen Gav's and Tony's excellent work on this forum and I must say that there is no way these skills are picked up overnight.
 
I have a CPR Xenon stored away for future use as an alternative, as my wife really has been on my back to move my favourite pin SI because she can't stand the artwork. She has also taken my cashcard..
 

I feel your pain ! I sold my SI because my wife was spooked by the backglass. Replaced it with a Medusa - Go figure !!

[ddstoys]

Personally i like an original playfield purely for that character and originality but to the look and play of a new playfield is awsome id only consider replacing a playfield if it was totally stuffed.   For example I wasnt happy when i had to rebuild my backbox and lost the girls name and phone number from it 

[thefasteddy69]

Ha I love it. It's always good to have an original which if looked after has some value, but never hurts to have a spare on hand.. playfield that is

[Retropin]

Big downside of repro PF's for me is that they are CC'd in high gloss. Im really not a big fan of the gloss CC.
Apparently, the NEW repro'd  KING OF DIAMONDS has a high gloss CC and the one ive heard reports of..... wait for it..... GHASTLY LED's!!!!!!!!!!

My EM officionados are not happy.

When i spoke to Alan tate regarding the repro of PF's we were in agreement that you cannot truely restore a 50's 60's or even 70's PF by putting CC on it. We would both prefer a linseed based finish and all its yellowing faults in order to retain an original look and ball play. Trick is to make the coating super thin.
Personally, im still on the hunt for a satin finish CC

[slammer]

Retropin,

Try looking for a suede clear coat, very close to satin finish.

It will be trial and error to see if it reacts with the playfield.

It would be a specialist paint company such as House of Color, SEM or even Glasurit.

Cheers Angelo

[greatwichjohn]

There is lots of laquer here. If I do old stuff & people are picky I might give it a try. For electronic pins all I hear is finish DuPont!