I leveled four inserts on my Flintstones.
Three turned out great, the forth not so great. It's way better than before but now it seems to be warped, (ever so slightly higher in the middle while level with the playfield around it's perimeter.

I think that it may have gotten too much heat??? However it shows no sign of melting or discolouration.
Question: Has anybody ever had this happen to them? Should I heat it again or just leave it as is?

I took a picture of the insert (letter "R") but the flaw is so minor that it doesn't show up.
I'm leaning to just leaving it alone for now and waiting to see if it causes any issues.

Thanks
Adam

If the ball travel is not greatly effected I would say leave it alone.

I'm curious .. did you use a heat gun or a blow dryer for this as it takes a lot of heat to warp inserts in my experience.

Also which brand of super glue did you use around the insert.

Knowing which inserts are raised and affect ball travel gives you the home field advantage!!!

If it is higher in the middle, then I assume that you didn't have it on a flat surface when you heated it, like an old playfield glass. Well, as stated, if it doesn't affect gameplay too much, better off leaving it alone. Perfection is the worst thing you should base yourself on... most times, "not bad" is good enough.

OK, I checked it again this morning. I think what I'm feeling is that the leading edge of the insert has been worn down slightly from sitting proud before. The insert seems to be level with the playfield on the other sides it's just that the leading edge is slightly below.

I used a heat-gun from the underside of the playfield with my hand on the top side to gauge when the insert was hot. I never fully removed the insert from the playfield. I guess it's possible that it may have been over heated if I had my hand on the wrong insert. Which wouldn't be the first time that I've done something silly. Anyways, I've decided to leave it alone and just keep an eye on it.

Also, I haven't applied any CA glue to it yet. I was hoping to avoid that step if possible. If I do apply the glue I'll use thin from the top side to help fill in the small void on the leading edge.
Damn! something else to obsess about...apply glue or don't apply glue.

Thanks for the replies.
Adam.

I thought you were supposed to re-glue the insert from the bottom after re-leveling?  (the topside CA is optional)

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

D.

Quoted from Menace

I thought you were supposed to re-glue the insert from the bottom after re-leveling?  (the topside CA is optional)

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

D.

That's how I understood this too..  And that's what I did on my Flintstones when I had it..  However, being a remote controlled airplane kind of guy, I know that thin CA is pretty much useless as a filler.

Mike

If thin CA is useless as a filler, why do sites like pinrestore.com advertise it "...as well as building up slightly sunken inserts to the playfield level".  But I do see it being useless as a regular plastic model type of glue as it doesn't seem to stick anything (unless super glue or true model glue itself).

Usually, you need to get thin glue into the sides of the inserts so it flows down and sticks it there forever (you might probably not ever be able to heat and move that insert again though).

Good luck.

the ca glue is used to seal minor touch ups around the inserts.  *I believe* they fill tiny gaps perfectly.  See top tape "pinball ain't dead, it just smells funny"

it will also fill PERFECTLY a bubble from an insert post-mylar removal. it will suck it up and fill the gap. you have to see it to believe it!


so Adam, if you need to apply black around the inserts, then yes but the glue from the top else if you feel the insert will move, put some from below else don't apply any.