Ummm why is there black rubber installed ? 

The owner's request. I prefer white, but black looks kinda nice !

How does the playfield window look to the naked eye? I see some swirls etc in the photos, but the digi cam always brings the worst in parts out.

I'm torn between trying to refurbish what I have, or buy new.

Black rubber? The horrors!

Looks real nice. I hope to start on my playfield in the next week!

Playfield looks like a thin clearcoat has been applied that shines in the sunlight. I'm REALLY pleased with it. The playfield window is probably the "best" it is going to look. The dullness was removed with the polishing, but you can still see small marks in it with the naked eye. Do you mean "swirl marks" in the playfield window, or playfield ? I can check for you.