How come nobody ever talks about applying Mylar to a playfield?

I have a Super Nova that needs some touch up and I was considering doing a complete playfield cover with mylar when done.

Reasons:
1. Easier, quicker, and cheaper than Auto clear.
2. Reversable if I change my mind later.
3. My Pinbot still has it's original Factory Mylar and after polishing it still looks quite nice. For the amount of play that a pin gets in home use I would think it should last a lot longer if properly cared for.
4. Super Nova is not what I would consider a collectors game so I don't know if I want to invest that much work into it.

Has anyone here ever done a Mylar job or ever considered it?
Someone want to talk me out of it?

Adam

Cleaning & retouching correctly (with proper color match & pattern) the bad area, if localized, followed by a mylar on top of the retouch (and cleaning/waxing the remaining of the playfield) might be a simpler idea in my opinion, since installing a complete mylar/overlay without bubbling or creasing is very very difficult.... if clear coat is not an option, and if no mylar already applied...

I agree Super Nova is a good candidate to try this type of retouch, as it would not change its value too much... Unless the retouch is badly done.

Cheers,
- Sylvain

I was thinking a full mylar as opposed to patches so that it would not affect ball travel.
Or do you think that this would not be a problem?
I agree that a full cover would be difficult, probably a two person job.

Adam

Thick mylar would affect ball travel slightly, indeed.
Thin mylar no.
Heck, even Bally used to provide half-moon slingshot kicker mylar to apply in front of the slings back then (late 70s - early 80s)...

I had purchased a full playfield-size sheet of mylar a while ago on eBay and used it for 'patches' on some of my pinballs (only if necessary), and noticed it is thin enough not to impact ball trajectory, while thick enough to protect the retouched sensitive area. I do not know the thickness of that mylar though. It is thinner than the Bally half-moon slings mylar protector for sure.

While a mylar over the complete playfield is probably ideal (providing the playfield under is clean, light shields/inserts leveled and properly glued, playfield surface even and nicely retouched if necessary), I would not attempt a complete mylar over for the reasons indicated above... Plus you would also need to depopulate completely the upper side of the playfield from all the stuff (pop-bumpers are a bit of a pain due to the soldered light socket) before application. Might as well clear-coat then   Plus even with the hair dryer (or the freeze spray), removing mylar, if ever desired in the future, then the glue, is a *pain*, and would sometimes (or often?) lift some of the paint/artwork. But mylar protects against poor maintenance, no wax and pitted/rusted balls  

Good luck,
- Sylvain

Quoted from goodicksa

How come nobody ever talks about applying Mylar to a playfield?

Because it plays and looks bad.

Quoted Text

Reasons:
1. Easier, quicker, and cheaper than Auto clear.

why easier ? you still need to strip it down.
quicker : yeah, ok but not by much
cheaper: yes. if you are worried, clear with Varathane. Very good results and a LOT cheaper then auto clear.

Quoted Text

2. Reversable if I change my mind later.

So is varathane

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3. My Pinbot still has it's original Factory Mylar and after polishing it still looks quite nice. For the amount of play that a pin gets in home use I would think it should last a lot longer if properly cared for.

then enjoy it  but you don't know the power of the da.... err.. I mean you don't know what you're missing when it's clearcoated.

Quoted Text

4. Super Nova is not what I would consider a collectors game so I don't know if I want to invest that much work into it.

One more reason to try Clearcoating ?  Will change you mind about mylar forever, I promise !

Also you mention that it's reversible..  Well it is but only for the non-touched up areas.  As soon as you take that baby off all the touch ups you did are going with it.  Unless you clearcoat the touch ups first...  And then why not do the whole thing anyway!

Mike

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm now leaning towards Mylar patches but I'll wait till after the final cleaning before I commit to anything.
As commented, whatever I decide this will be a good game to practise on... If things do go bad I won't be losing much.

This game has just become my designated guinea pig!

Adam

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you remove Varathane? When it is still wet? Partially hardened? With a stripping agent???

Quoted from Moonlit_Knight

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you remove Varathane? When it is still wet? Partially hardened? With a stripping agent???

With CP100 !!  you know, "the blue pinball cleaner" that big dummy there at alouette wants to sell instead of Novus ?

That and ...goof off.

Ian, read on the bible:
http://www.marvin3m.com/restore/index2.htm#pf2


Hey Adam: That's the spirit ! you CAN do it !