playfield clearcoating acrylic vs 2pak

[necroscope]

have a NOS x-files playfield with a factory fitted metal plate and the playfield has a lot of inserts including a giant x,i have read on the forums that 2pak does not work well with large inserts and i'm wondering is this true? included some pics and i would like some advice on which would be the best clearcoat to apply,if i'm going to go acrylic i will probably coat it myself as i've had some exp painting bike tanks in the past,i've never used 2pak before so i would probably look at having it done profesionally,if i can find someone willing to take it on

[beaky]

from what i have read on the web (cant remember were) is that with any flexing or movement the 2pac will crack

[MartyJ]

I've clearcoated a handful of playfields and they have all been in 2K.  If you prep it correctly, use the correct clear and the inserts are glued in properly there should not be any issues.

As for the metal plate?  Hmm.  I would probably mask around it as it may cause a few headaches.

I have not done any clear in acrylic, although I've seen some work of a member on AA who does some exceptionally nice work and has had great success with it.

[necroscope]

Thanks for the advice,talked to timbo(pinball tales) and he is going to take it on for me when he starts his stand alone services,so i'm on the waiting list  . i figure i'm better off waiting and getting a profesional job done than trying to go it alone,i have to say with the extra large inserts there are plenty of things that could go wrong and like i said to tim if there is some hazing or anything like that around the inserts i can live with that,i reckon it's a risk thats worth taking to get a smooth mirror finish on the playfield that will protect it.

Tim suggested masking the metal plate too marty   it's actually blue spring steel just a thicker gauge than the ramp flaps.

[MartyJ]

from what i have read on the web (cant remember were) is that with any flexing or movement the 2pac will crack

Well most if not all playfields made from the 1990's onwards had a clear coat equilevant to automotive clear.
Plastic bumpers and many modern car panels flex, they have clear too. Flex aid can be added but again if using correct products should be fine

[beaky]

what i do with my metal ramp flaps is first sand it with 1200 grit wet & dry, then prim it with etch primer. i let it cure for 24 hours then i paint it with high temp gloss paint & bake it in the oven for about 30 to 45 min at the max temp that the paint is able to withstand.
the result is very flexable, very shiny & a very strong finish. (you know how much the ramp flaps flex when you fit the ramp to the playfield.)