I obtained a very good quality 70's EM (Gottlieb Card Whiz) yesterday, and in part it's good quality because someone mylared the playfield.  You can tell it was an operator application the way it was hand cut (though the previous owner didn't know when it was done, it had been in his basement quite a while).  Not horrible, but I'm not partial to mylar.  So given that it was well applied, not bubbling or crazing or anything, the edges seem clean (and the inserts are not worn beneath it), would you a) remove it and deal with any potential paint removal (retouch) and do a simple clear coat (ala Clay's Guides) to get it back to original state, or b) leave the mylar and do a nice Treasure Cove polish job on the mylar?  I'm inclined to take it off because I like things original, but I'm not sure it will improve the value?

Same question goes for the backglass (in nearly perfect condition).  I'm inclined NOT to Krylon Triple Thick it and leave it as is, just change out the bulbs for 47's.

Apart from needing some better quality Gottlieb legs (anyone?) and having to get it working again (credit or start problem, not usually a big issue) this is one of the better quality EMs I've managed to acquire so it will be hard for me to give it up (not a bad game either, I love card game EMs).

I'm always interested in the opinions of the more experienced members on the subject of Mylar removal.

Unless it's lifting and looks like crap, I wouldn't remove it.  Just polish the hell out of it and make it shiny.  Think about it - the mylar is probably the reason this is one of the nicest EM's you've seen..  As far as value, IMHO, EM's aren't worth a lot to start with and I seriously doubt you'd increase the value, especially if you spend on a clearcoat.

Mike

Take a pic. I would have to see it to make my choice.

With respect to Mylar. In a few cases I have left it, but that has been when it was perfect and wasn't in the lower portion of the pf. It's minor details but stuff that I look at are the edges i.e. where the lines of the mylar run. If the mylar is lifting at the edge, gets dirt or residue in there and the edge draws your attention to a nasty line down the pf then it goes. If there is insert area lift, it's gone or if it is loose and won't clean up. Gone.

So in most cases I elect to strip it because it in the end has something appearance wise that bugs me. What you do have to consider is 99% of what I am stripping is Diamondcoat and I almost guaranteed to have excellent results. With an old Gottlieb, you may not have the same success and the pf does not have the same paint durability after it's gone as a Diamondcoat pf.

Quoted from necro_nemesis

Take a pic. I would have to see it to make my choice.

With an old Gottlieb, you may not have the same success and the pf does not have the same paint durability after it's gone as a Diamondcoat pf.

I will take a pic in a bit.

This is what I'm thinking and why it's a question for me. IF there was inserst wear UNDER the mylar, or if the edges were starting to delaminated, then I'd be inclinded to take it up.  About the only defect I've noticed so far (without really, really eyeballing it), is that it was cut by hand so it's not symetrical.  There IS some very minor, easily touched up insert wear on the unmylared section, but MOST of the main playfield is mylared.  

My biggest worry is that when I clean up the rest of the playfield and brighten up the paint with a gentle magic eraser job, then the mylared area is going to look a little dingier because it was likey mylared after a little while out on the field.

It's the paint delaminating in areas other than around inserts that I'm really concerned about, although chances are good this mylar was put down long after the paint and lacquer had dried.

As far as durability goes, after the magic eraser treatment, a fine coat of water-based polyurethane and a waxing should more than hold its own for home use.  I wouldn't auto-clear an EM, it seems counter-intelligent as far as "restoration" goes.

Re backglass. I will say DAMN those stupid melting foam pieces they used to cushion the backglasses!  That and one tiny area of red are the only "issues" on this otherwise pristine backglass.  The "glue" seems to have eaten away or at least faded the purple paint it was stuck too.  Doesn't detract too much, so likely I won't touch up, but still - makes me angry!  

In my BH project, the lower playfield have a mylar but it was very good. I remove it and no paint lifting. I start to clearcoat the playield and it look a lot better. Very nice playfield are very easy to clearcoat also !

Upon closer inspection the bloody person who applied the mylar did it at the right time, but they cut it on the playfield, so there are some razor/exacto marks in places.  So I will likely take the mylar up so I can retouch the scratches.