pinball maintenance

[missioncontrol]

what kind of maintenance do you guys perform on your pinball machine and how often?

I usually just dust mine off every once in a while, but I'm sure there should be more than that......

[ChadTower]

At the very least, you should clean and wax the playfield regularly enough to protect it (depends on how much use it gets).  Let your playfield get messed up and you lose all the value of your machine.

[TheOtherBob]

Don't forget to check your balls.... You could start by putting on some Barry White and shout "Woman!  Time to check...."

Seriously tho, make sure your balls are good and not rusty/pitted/nicked.... they'll wear a playfield fast....

Also, if it is a solid state machine and powered by regular batteries, change your batteries once a year.  Once a year might be a bit too often but it is cheap insurance against battery damage.  If it is a rechargable (nicad, etc) I'd keep an eye on it too.  Especially if it is mounted on the system board.... I'd relocate it off the board.

[ChadTower]

If you're concerned about battery damage, just mount them remotely and run wires to the battery holder.

Yeah, new balls are always good.  They're like $1 each, often cheaper, so just do it.

[Ken Layton]

For maintenance things go to Marco Specialties and order the book Maintaining your own Pinball Machine.

[USSEnterprise]

If its a machine you just got, and it has a painted backglass, coat it with Krylon Triple Thick. It will keep the ink from lifting

[mp2526]

If its a machine you just got, and it has a painted backglass, coat it with Krylon Triple Thick. It will keep the ink from lifting

Not nessessarily true.  If the glass has no cracking or lifting and is in good shape, and you plan on keeping the game in an area where the temperatures will not fluctuate too much, I would suggest leaving the backglass alone.  I've seen a few and have heard of a few instances where triple thick actually harmed the glass.  At the very least, do a spot test before going all crazy with the stuff.

[USSEnterprise]

yeah, I've heard the same thing, but since mine is a variable temperature/humidity basement, I did it just to be sure, plus there is a very little flaking on it

[ChadTower]

Get a dehumidifier.

[USSEnterprise]

And while your checking your balls, make sure all your rubbers are nice and clean. They won't effect play much, but they'll turm black after a while of use

[Buddabing]

That reminds me - I read some site that said they use "only white rubbers - NEVER use black". Why would there be any difference?

[USSEnterprise]

White ones give more bounce than black ones. Black ones are made for late model solid state machines. Use white in everything else.