Removing Ball Swirl

[Strangeways]

I've tried a few methods of removing ball swirl, and I think I've found the right process after checking on pins I've done over a year or more ago.

Both products are CHEAP and you can get them at any supermarket;

ISOCOL - Green plastic bottle with a croc on the front of it $5 - $8

Chux Magic Eraser - $3 for a pack of 8

Removing Ball Swirl

TIP - Clean the playfield with SHELLITE (Naptha) - and the Magic Eraser pads last heaps longer. All the surface dirt and wax will clog the ME.

Squirt the ISOCOL into the ME pad, and then press the pad against the playfield and then scrub the area with LIGHT pressure in a circular motion. Turn the pad over frequently and check the dirt is being removed from the playfield... Don't scrub too hard, or you could lift paint. A white residue is left behind - this is normal. Just wipe the affected area with ISOCOL on a rag.

One thing I picked up during the Flash playfield clean - If you have straight lines in the playfield - especially in the white areas where the plastics sit - run the ME in the area with the line. Straight sweeps will clean these lines - looks HEAPS better..

It can take 3 - 20 hours to do a complete playfield, depending on the area you need to clean.

[pinball god]

Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?

[Strangeways]

Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?

To be honest - I have never seen really bad ball swirl on a DMD..You should be able to - try a test spot first.

[ktm450]

Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?

Yeah, i've almost finished a resto on my TZ, used the above technique.  I didn't go overboard, as I didnt want to remove too much clear coat, but it does get most of the ball trails out and looks heaps better

[Strangeways]

Is this gear/technique applicable for the DMD games like TZ etc?

Yeah, i've almost finished a resto on my TZ, used the above technique.  I didn't go overboard, as I didnt want to remove too much clear coat, but it does get most of the ball trails out and looks heaps better

I think some Pinheads are using ME to clean the edges of factory mylar. Great idea.

[Nug]

hey all good stuff, i will throw in however that indeed you must test always in inconspicous areas and also this 'isocol'...it really should be 100 % isopropal alcohol,, the medi lotion MAY have other ingredients that could pose long term issues with residue. if pure then this is brilliant as usually iso is in quantities that take 10 years to use 

[Strangeways]

hey all good stuff, i will throw in however that indeed you must test always in inconspicous areas and also this 'isocol'...it really should be 100 % isopropal alcohol,, the medi lotion MAY have other ingredients that could pose long term issues with residue. if pure then this is brilliant as usually iso is in quantities that take 10 years to use 

Really hard to find 100% isolprophyl - even the pharmacies only stock 92%. Bunnings has 100% (I think) but it is only in small bottles.

I've used Isocol for 6 - 7 years without issue. Golden rule is to test an inconspicuous area, and never apply it direct to the playfield.

[Nug]

hey sweet, im lucky with the refinery 'n' all !
sounds like the go.   

[Strangeways]

hey sweet, im lucky with the refinery 'n' all !
sounds like the go.   

Can you get large quantities of isoprophyl, Nug ?  #$# #$#

[Nug]

not really, it would be sorta like the 'great escape' with the dirt n all ! maybe 100-150 ml a shot ?! i then  because of statutory chemical inventory i would be visiting the solvents plant/lab for samples ' a little to regularly' theyre funny like that   #$#

[Marty Machine]

Silly question, but what is ball swirl? and what causes it and how do i know my pin has it? symptoms???

MM.

[Strangeways]

Silly question, but what is ball swirl? and what causes it and how do i know my pin has it? symptoms???

MM.

Ballswirl is common on EMs and SS machines that were not protected by mylar. They are fine cracks in the lacquer (early form of a protective clearcoat) where dirt would collect and deposit. The term "swirl" is because it is believed that the fine cracks are created by the ball "spinning" in certain areas.

ME is effective in "getting into" these cracks and removing the dirt - without removing too much of the lacquer.

[Retropin]

Yeh - looks like tiny bits of crazy paving

[SPURR]

Being a electronics tech I been using isoprophyl in a  pressure pack can known as contact cleaner or I find Supercheaps wax and grease remover comes in a 4 litre tin works well.

[pinnies4me]

I heard on the radio yesterday that urinating on it was good. Or was that for a jellyfish sting? What the heck, I might give it a go. Whose got a Fathom - covers both aspects...