Gottlieb 1978
Playfield Protector · 1 piece
SKU: 1098
Premium playfield protectors precisely CNC laser-cut for your pinball machine. Made from high-quality Vivak (PET-G) in Germany — the same optical-grade material used in professional display applications. Only 0.6mm thin, our protectors sit flush on the playfield and install without any modifications to your machine. They shield the original artwork from ball wear, scratches, spills, and UV fading. Each protector is custom-designed for the specific playfield layout, ensuring cutouts align perfectly with posts, ramps, and inserts. Trusted by collectors and arcade operators worldwide since 2012.
This product has been specifically designed and precision-cut for the following pinball machines. Each piece is manufactured to fit perfectly without any modifications. Compatible with: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Gottlieb, 1978).
Clean the playfield thoroughly before installation. Remove dust and debris with a soft microfiber cloth. Place the protector on the playfield, aligning all cutouts with posts and inserts. No adhesive is needed — the protector stays in place by its own weight and the playfield geometry. Clean periodically with a damp cloth to maintain clarity.
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.
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.
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.
Your playfield is the centrepiece of your pinball machine. It's where the action happens — and it's where the damage happens too. Every game puts the artwork and clear coat under stress, and over time that takes a visible toll.
If you're looking into ways to protect your pinball playfield, you'll quickly run into two main options: Mylar film and full playfield protectors. They get talked about as if they're interchangeable, but they're really not. They work differently, suit different machines, and have different trade-offs.
If you've ever looked at your pinball playfield under bright light at the right angle and noticed tiny dents across the surface, you've found dimples. They're one of the most discussed and most worried-about topics in the pinball world — especially among new owners who think their machine is somehow defective.
