What's the deal with playfield stress cracks? What causes them? Can they be fixed? How much do they affect the perceived value of a game? Do they mess with gameplay? Can they be seen in pics?

Thanks!

Quoted from jonny_eh

What's the deal with playfield stress cracks? What causes them?

Wood being affected by time and environmental conditions - often seen in certain games ie Whitewater so been suggested maybe poor quality wood for that run of playfields!
  

Quoted from jonny_eh

Can they be fixed?

Yes by the playfield restorers with considerable skill to make them disappear completely and permanently.

Quoted Text

How much do they affect the perceived value of a game?

From 0 to alot based on player quality to collector quality!

Quoted Text

Do they mess with gameplay?

Not usually as very small cracks. Insert issues will affect gameplay more

Quoted Text

Can they be seen in pics?

Not usually unless the seller makes a point of showing them or taking very high resolution pics for the buyer

Quoted Text

Thanks!

Your welcome

There are small cracks like ball swirls that can be cleaned up with a magic eraser and naptha, and then there are real stress cracks which I have seen due to harse changing environmental conditions, like the playfield being stored in a damp barn (with extremes of humidity and dryness, and cold), and even pins that have been under water (or at least in a basement flood).  These kinds of cracks are bigger and harder to repair, and sometimes occur in a line up the playfield corresponding to a split in the plywood veneer.  If the edges of the stress crack are curled up, you will definitely see them, and they will affect game play.

Insert wear is common, with the ball wearing away at the playfield surrounding the insert if due to heat expansion, the insert has lowered itself below the playfield level (and sometimes above it), and they will also definitiely affect the travel of the ball.