I am wondering what the thoughts are on clearcoating.  Does it take away value should I want to sell it?  Is it worth it if the playfield is mint now? etc.  I am torn on this decision and I figured that you guys/gals would be able to help.

Clearcoat is a must for pins and add value in my opinion because you can play all you can and future buyer will apreciate the possibility to play a lot without making more wear to the playfield. Do not clearcoat if you have a NOS pin and don't play to it for more value in the future !!!

Quoted from HAL-9OOO

Clearcoat is a must for pins and add value in my opinion because you can play all you can and future buyer will apreciate the possibility to play a lot without making more wear to the playfield. Do not clearcoat if you have a NOS pin and don't play to it for more value in the future !!!

Yup... great on an older pin as it eliminates any premature wear. As for anything NOS or nice, it all comes down to a personal choice. Some like a fresh surface, some don't care for it.

What are you debating to have done?

I have a near mint, if not mint CV.

Quoted from sensfreak

I have a near mint, if not mint CV.

OK... look at it VERY closely and ask yourself '' do I want to dissassemble it all, and then reassemble it? ''

Good point       I will take another look!!

I've had two NOS PF CC'd  by Sparky ( LOTR and TSPP ).

I bought the PFs individually and had them cleared as long-term future replacements
for my current machines.

I don't think a CC'd PF reduces the value in any way.
In fact, I'd argue that it adds value...
(..but that's a matter of opinion. )

For the same price and condition, I'd buy a CC'd game over a non-CC'd any day of the week.

If I wasn't such a wimp, I'd tear my RFM down and have Sparky CC that one too,
but since it takes me 6 months to change a burned bulb,
I'm afraid it would take 10+ years to build it back.

... unless I have alot of unexpected free time soon   (...see Nortel post ! )  

Steph

if you are not doing it FOR YOU, do not do it.  no it won`t add value  ... if it`s that mint, it might actually take away from it. keep it original.

having rebuilt a CV for clearcoat  (http://mrhide.pinnesota.org/gallery/CV), take my word for it, do NOT mess with it !!


...and to add to what Steph said, I`ve had my new BK playfields for a year now ...and they are still wrapped. but the cab is painted and the boards are back in the head ! there IS progress!!!

I have to admit that I don't think there is any wear on the PF at all.  I was quite lucky to get this one (thanks Twilight Zone).  I do admit that the thought of ripping it apart does not overly appeal to me but if it was the right thing to do then I would do it.

I agree with the comment about doing a clearcoat for youself and not for resale.  If its a keeper, then do it.  If not, don't worry.  

Having said that... If the game is in good shape, then why bother?  Home use will not cause an real wear.

Its all down to time I guess, motivation and dollars, I guess. I am still rebuilding my Earthshaker from 2006.  Its getting there... just waiting for some last parts before the CC'd playfields is all done.  It can be a long process.

Now to veer slightly from topic... I was at http://www.pfrenovations.com/ today and noticed they are still not accepting anything new.  I wonder how backed up they are, since they stopped all new business back in June of 2008?  Of course, people like Sparky, Captain Neo and a few others are filling this void.  And they all seem quite busy.

Quoted from sensfreak

I have a near mint, if not mint CV.

I'm happy to hear you finally found a CV Dave.

In my opinion, the Diamond plate PF will last really long.

Quoted from Monkeybug

I agree with the comment about doing a clearcoat for youself and not for resale.  If its a keeper, then do it.  If not, don't worry.  

Having said that... If the game is in good shape, then why bother?  Home use will not cause an real wear.

Its all down to time I guess, motivation and dollars, I guess. I am still rebuilding my Earthshaker from 2006.  Its getting there... just waiting for some last parts before the CC'd playfields is all done.  It can be a long process.

Now to veer slightly from topic... I was at http://www.pfrenovations.com/ today and noticed they are still not accepting anything new.  I wonder how backed up they are, since they stopped all new business back in June of 2008?  Of course, people like Sparky, Captain Neo and a few others are filling this void.  And they all seem quite busy.

Yup... but I can turn around a clean playfield in good shape with minimal touch-ups in less than 3 weeks.

Quoted from Sparky

Yup... but I can turn around a clean playfield in good shape with minimal touch-ups in less than 3 weeks.

I've done this with a badly worn PF in less than 3 weeks. It all depends on the time you have available each day.

Quoted from sensfreak

I have to admit that I don't think there is any wear on the PF at all.  I was quite lucky to get this one (thanks Twilight Zone).  I do admit that the thought of ripping it apart does not overly appeal to me but if it was the right thing to do then I would do it.

Glad you are happy. You are right, the playfield is in excellent shape. I would think long and hard before attempting to strip apart a CV to get it clearcoated. Not an easy game to put back together. I don't think you will see any wear in home use especially with the nice new pinballs the game has

Duane

Quoted from ALJO

I'm happy to hear you finally found a CV Dave.

In my opinion, the Diamond plate PF will last really long.

Thanks.  I am really happy to have one.  

Quoted from TwilightZone

Glad you are happy. You are right, the playfield is in excellent shape. I would think long and hard before attempting to strip apart a CV to get it clearcoated. Not an easy game to put back together. I don't think you will see any wear in home use especially with the nice new pinballs the game has

Duane

Just added the purple scrolls and some coloured cliffy sleeves.  Next comes the LEDs and the skinny ringmaster.    I am sooo addicted.

Quoted from ALJO

I've done this with a badly worn PF in less than 3 weeks. It all depends on the time you have available each day.

If you are using Varathane... you are not letting it cure long enough. If you are using an automotive clearcoat yourself without proper equipment, I suggest that you stop...

And yes... an engineering career, a wife, 2 young kids, 3 dogs... I work on my stuff late at night and on weekends.

For the CV, I'd say don't bother, I've seen and played the one you have an I don't think there is a point.  It's going to be allot of work for very little value added.  The playfield is already in nice shape so it doesn't really need it.  

But for say a playfield with some wear, I saw a CC does nothing but add value to a game.  As an example, if you have an playfield with insert wear, and get it touched up and CC, it's going to sell for more in that condition, then it would if it still had the insert wear.

But for machines that are already in pristine shape to being with, you may add a little value, but most likely it will be for personal prefrence over anything, you most likely won't get back that investment.

I had my TSPP NOS playfield CC by Ian, I plan to install it at some point, but that is because I prefer the fast feel of a CC playfield.  

On newer Diamondcoat games I would only clear if the pf needed touch up work as it is my understanding that this is the only way to get decent end result on a touch up job. Correct me if I'm wrong on this Sparky.

If a pf were out already I might look at Sparky throwing on a coat or two but I wouldn't be pulling apart a Diamondcoat game just to throw a layer on there. On an older pre-Diamondcoat I think it has tremendous value though and in many cases would merit pulling the game apart for longevity and appearance.

The coat I would only consider putting on is the nasty stuff that you need the right equipment/ventilation to shoot. Therefore I personally would be looking to Sparky to do that for me and not try it a home. I would be willing to buy all the equipment etc. but my wife gives me the gears anytime I paint because I usually use acrylic lacquer and it really smells. Sparky is cheaper than a divorce lawyer.

Marvin has a good read on pf clearcoat.

http://marvin3m.com/clear/index.htm

Quoted from Sparky

If you are using Varathane... you are not letting it cure long enough. If you are using an automotive clearcoat yourself without proper equipment, I suggest that you stop...

And yes... an engineering career, a wife, 2 young kids, 3 dogs... I work on my stuff late at night and on weekends.

Curing, I think is a matter of opinion, I rather put my confidence on the company who makes the product, they know better than anyone else how to use there own products and if they want to sell lots, be assured that they will give the best directions possible.

i was'nt blaming anyone Sparky, we each go at our own rythm.
I have 4 kids, 1 snake, 1 parakeet, 3 fish, 1 cat and no wife to help me with them all, plus a night shift for work to top it all, does'nt leave me much time either but I borrow time on my sleep. I must say that it's getting harder and harder each year to do this though, luckily my 2 older girls will be leaving in a year or 2, they told me so.

Quoted from ALJO

Curing, I think is a matter of opinion, I rather put my confidence on the company who makes the product, they know better than anyone else how to use there own products and if they want to sell lots, be assured that they will give the best directions possible.

Yes.... for furniture. I am sure that no one at Flecto put a rolling steel ball as a possible wear medium. But ultimately it is a personal choice. I just speak by what I have learned and by what others have done. Varathane is great for spot-fixing. But for a complete clear, I would stay FAR away myself, considering that the factory Diamondplate was a superior finish than Varathane. Why put something cheaper?

If you are a player cc playfields play alot smoother,I sell machines with cc playfield for more and people pay the extra.
If you want a high end game that plays better and lasts longer cc your playfield, high end games are not for everyone.
Why not protect your investment and enjoy it longer.

aside from smoother ball roll, does the CC affect gameplay at all?  ie. faster/slower?  How thick is the cc layer?

One thing I did notice is that CC'ing really brings out the colour on older machines..

Sparky does a nice thin coat of clear, just enough to level out the playfield and cover all the insersts so you can no longer feel them.

Most other people put on a real thick layer of clear, where if you looks really, really closely you can see the level diffrences in the touchups compared to the existing artowrk.  

Play wise, the gmae plays much faster, My TAF playfield really, really fast with a CC PF.  Other games that I have played all play much faster with a CC PF then without.  

Keep it clean, keep it waxed and use good balls. For home use IMHO Diamondplate is sufficient. I have yet to see any sort of detectable wear on any of the many Diamondplate games I have owned in home use for the duration I have owned them.

Marvin seems to feel otherwise that games are less collectible.

From Marvin

"Frankly it's just not needed, especially if you keep your games cleaned and waxed with a good hard Carnuba paste wax. Also the "collectibility" of the game will be *reduced* with an added clearcoat (compared to an original game in nice condition)."

The $ value of clearcoating seems to be a matter of opinion. I know for me I look at a pf and I see if it is even, unworn and unfaded. How it got that way is not so much of a concern except knowing if was fixed it was done with the right process and materials to last.

Quoted from Sparky

Yes.... for furniture. I am sure that no one at Flecto put a rolling steel ball as a possible wear medium. But ultimately it is a personal choice. I just speak by what I have learned and by what others have done. Varathane is great for spot-fixing. But for a complete clear, I would stay FAR away myself, considering that the factory Diamondplate was a superior finish than Varathane. Why put something cheaper?

Good point Sparky, but as you say, if you don't have the equipement then the little can will do great.

If I was closer to you, I'd have a few playfields that I would get done by you, I really like doing touch ups but I also feel that your clear is much more resisant than Varathan.

Quoted from ALJO

Good point Sparky, but as you say, if you don't have the equipement then the little can will do great.

If I was closer to you, I'd have a few playfields that I would get done by you, I really like doing touch ups but I also feel that your clear is much more resisant than Varathan.

So... on one of your crazy-drives, drop some off!!!

Quoted from Sparky

So... on one of your crazy-drives, drop some off!!!

I just heard about this fantastic service that might help... it's called "mail".

Quoted from necro_nemesis

I just heard about this fantastic service that might help... it's called "mail".

Yeah, I heard the rumer too and I've heard that a 2 way shipping, Quebec/Montreal  and then, Montreal/Quebec for a 50 pound giant box would cost almost as much as the CC job itself. I think I'll pass.

Quoted from Sparky

So... on one of your crazy-drives, drop some off!!!

It would have to coincide with one of my "crazy-stripping" many playfields at once.
Too risky with my memory.