Playfield Protector — Generic Installation Guide
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Step 1 — Preparation
Remove the following parts before laying the protector:
- Flipper bats
- Outlane guides
- Some wire forms and gates
- Ramps
- Some plastics
The more parts you remove, the easier the install. Clean the playfield intensively and let it dry completely before placing the protector. On a brand-new machine a microfibre wipe is usually enough.
Step 2 — Install the protector
Peel the protective film off the back side and lay the protector on the playfield. Reinstall the parts.
Peel the top-side film early enough — once everything is back, the protector should be able to move very slightly in every direction by hand. If it is stuck somewhere, trim it carefully with sharp scissors. Ramp flaps always rest on top of the protector. Never bend or fold the protector.
Step 3 — Re-level the mechanisms
Drop target banks, turntables, spinning disks and similar mechanisms must be re-levelled to the new playfield height. Most mechanisms have dedicated adjustment screws. Run the service test mode to confirm every switch, microswitch and bumper still triggers correctly.
Finishing tips
Use thin gloves to keep fingerprints off the playfield. Ball troughs and under-playfield ramps often hide dirt that quickly spreads back over the playfield — clean them.
Use new pinballs. Old balls should at least be inspected. New balls usually have a thin oil coating, so wipe them with a dry cloth before use.
We install protectors with white silicone rubber rings. They abrade much less than standard rubber and are easier to clean — the playfield stays clean for longer.
Tools
- Tools (screwdriver, nut driver)
- Sharp scissors
- Cleaning cloth
- Playfield cleaner
Supplies
- Thin gloves (recommended)
- New silicone rubber rings (recommended)
- New pinballs (recommended)
FAQ
- Why silicone rubbers?
- Silicone rubber rings are easier to clean and abrade much less than standard rubber. The playfield stays cleaner for longer.
- My new balls feel oily. What do I do?
- New pinballs are often shipped with a thin oil coating. Wipe them with a dry cloth before use.
- The ramp flap sits below the protector. Is that a problem?
- Yes. Ramp flaps must always rest on top of the protector, never underneath. If yours is underneath, lift the protector at the flap and place the flap on top.
Related Guides
Stranger Things Playfield Protector — Installation Guide
This guide walks you through fitting a Playfield Protector to a Stern Stranger Things pinball machine. Plan roughly 60–90 minutes. You remove flippers, slingshots, ramps and the backboard, lay the protector on the playfield, then reinstall every part and re-level the drop target bank.
The Beatles Playfield Protector — Installation Guide
A relatively quick install — most of the work is removing flippers, plastics and bumper caps. After laying the protector you adjust the turntable and the drop target banks to the new playfield height.
Jurassic Park Premium / LE Playfield Protector — Installation Guide
The most complex install in our catalogue — plan two hours. You remove flippers, slingshots, several ramps, the Jeep, the raptor plastic, the T-Rex ramp and the backboard before the protector goes on. Take photos as you go.
Need an illustrated copy to read next to the cabinet?