Learn the basics

New to repairs? Start here. These guides cover the safety rules and basic skills you'll need for most arcade and pinball work. Read the safety guides first.

⚠ Safety

Guide	Applies to
Before you open a machine	Both
CRT monitor safety	Both
Mains power safety	Both
Moving and lifting cabinets	Both

🔧 Skills

Guide	Difficulty	Applies to
Crimping and replacing connectors	Medium	Both
Desoldering	Medium	Both
Reading a schematic	Medium	Both
Replacing capacitors	Medium	Both
Soldering basics	Easy	Both
Using a multimeter	Easy	Both

🧽 Maintenance

Regular care that keeps machines working and stops small problems from turning into big repairs.

Arcade

Guide	How often	Difficulty
Cleaning joysticks and buttons	Every 6–12 months, or when controls feel sticky or stop responding	Easy
Cleaning the cabinet interior and fans	Every 6–12 months, or sooner in dusty spaces	Easy
Cleaning the monitor glass and screen	Every few months, or whenever the picture looks hazy	Easy
Touching up cabinet paint and laminate	As needed	Medium

Pinball

Guide	How often	Difficulty
Cleaning or replacing pinballs	Check at each playfield cleaning; replace when pitted or rusty	Easy
Cleaning the playfield glass	As needed, usually every few weeks of regular play	Easy
Leveling and setting the playfield angle	After moving the machine, or when it plays oddly	Easy
Removing the glass and cleaning the playfield	Every few months for home machines; more often with heavy play	Medium
Replacing rubbers and the plunger tip	When rubbers crack, harden, or get dirty; flipper rubbers more often on busy machines	Easy

Know a skill others could use? Write a guide.