Playfield Protector Care — Cleaning & Polishing Tips
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Maintenance
Treat the protector like the playfield underneath. Use Mill Wax or Novus 2 with a soft cleaning cloth. Microfibre cloths can introduce microscratches over time, so we avoid them on the protector surface.
On new machines the clear coat outgases. This shows up as moisture between the playfield and the protector. Lift the protector slightly where possible (at a slingshot, for example) and blow the evaporations out with a compressor — or carefully with a cool hair dryer. Repeat if they come back. Several cycles may be needed until the clear coat is fully cured.
Polish for a faster playfield
To speed up the ball, polish the protector with Mill Wax. Use a soft cleaning cloth — again, not microfibre.
Apply the polish carefully, especially at the edges so it does not seep under the protector. Let it sit briefly, then wipe off the excess.
FAQ
- Can I use microfibre cloth?
- We recommend a soft cleaning cloth over microfibre. Microfibre can introduce microscratches over time on the protector surface.
- Why does moisture appear under my protector?
- On new machines the clear coat outgases and produces tiny evaporations between the playfield and the protector. They are harmless and disappear once the clear coat has fully cured. Blow them out with a compressor or a cool hair dryer.
- Will polish damage the protector?
- No, polish like Mill Wax is safe on the protector. Apply carefully at the edges so it does not seep underneath, let it sit briefly, then wipe off the excess.
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.
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