Removing the glass and cleaning the playfield
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| Guide details | |
|---|---|
| Topic | Maintenance |
| Applies to | Pinball |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| How often | Every few months for home machines; more often with heavy play |
| Tools needed | Coin door key Microfiber cloths Vacuum with brush attachment Playfield cleaner Carnauba-based pinball wax Cotton swabs Towel or padded surface for the glass |
A clean, waxed playfield plays faster, looks better, and wears much more slowly. Dirt and ball grime are what wear through playfield paint.
First: unplug the machine. See Before you open a machine.
Removing the glass
- Unplug the machine and open the coin door.
- Release the lockdown bar. On most machines, there's a lever inside the coin door (often near the top) that unlocks it. Lift the bar off and set it aside.
- Slide the glass toward you and out of the cabinet, holding it by its sides.
- The glass is tempered and heavy. It's strong on its face but can shatter if its edge or corner is hit. Lay it flat on a towel or carpet, away from foot traffic. Never stand it on a hard floor.
Cleaning the playfield
- Remove the balls and set them aside to clean. See Cleaning or replacing pinballs.
- Vacuum loose debris with a brush attachment, gently. Watch for loose parts and small screws.
- Clean with a cleaner made for pinball playfields, applied to a cloth. Work in small sections.
- Test any cleaner on a small, hidden spot first.
- Be careful around worn areas where bare wood shows. Wet cleaners can soak in and swell the wood.
- Strong solvents and alcohol can damage plastic parts and some playfield art. Avoid them.
- Use cotton swabs around posts, inserts, and switches.
- Wax with a carnauba-based wax made for pinball. Apply thin, let it haze, then buff it off.
- Clean the underside of the glass before reinstalling it.
Putting it back
Slide the glass back in, making sure it sits in the side channels, then reinstall and lock the lockdown bar. Check that the bar is fully locked before playing.
While the glass is off
It's a good time to check the rubbers and look for broken or loose parts.