Restoration Levels

So you've decided that you have a playfield that you want to touch up a little, or maybe a game that you want to look absolutely perfect? Or even considering customizing that field however you like?

This page is a guide to help you determine which level of restoration work you'll want done to your playfield. Also, please note that we only use a high quality automotive professional grade clearcoat. We do not have experience using "spray can" type clears, such as varathane, but will use it upon request.

Level 1

This level of service is ideal for the playfields that are already in great shape but you want an additional layer of protection to them, older fields that you want to keep from getting worse, or pinball playfields which you have performed touch-ups on yourself and you wish to seal them in. The playfield must be lightly sanded and prepped for clearcoat before work may be done.

This is your basic, one or two layer clearcoat with minor black edge touchups here or there around inserts. The shooter lane is left as is with a basic cleaning, and worn wood will not be repaired. If there are sunken or raised inserts, the clear coating process will not be able to "hide" them fully.

Level 2

This level of service is ideal for the person who wants to restore a playfield with a minimal amount of wear into a good looking game to the average player. Minor imperfections are left in the playfield in exchange for cost consciousness.  Where touchups are just spot touched up, instead of repainted, where colors don't match perfectly.  Colors will be matched as close as possible.

This is a more level sealing with three to four layers of clearcoat being used to seal the playfield. This makes the playfield more level than a level 1 restoration, although it will probably not be able to hide any major differences in the height of inserts, although it will lessen their impact. Minor visible areas are spot touched up, with colors matched as close as possible. Unseen areas, such as under plastics, ramps, posts, etc. are not touched up. Ball swirls that do not come out after cleaning, are left as is. No major detailed art recreations are needed. Minor wood repairs such as a scoop entrance or exit, or a chip out here or there in visible area are repaired. The shooter lane is re-sanded. Any deep ground in dirt is left as is.

Level 3

A level three restoration makes it so that any visible section of the playfield is touched up. Major ball swirls that do not come out are repainted.  Minor visable ball swirls that don't fully come out in light colors are left.

The clearcoat layer is leveled off and made smooth in all visible areas. Any raised or impacted inserts are leveled off where needed. Touch-ups are done in visible areas only. Colors that can't be matched spot on are fully repainted. Unseen areas are not touched up. Minor ball swirls and yellowing is tolerable, although major visible ball swirls or yellowing is repainted or lessened. Detailed art is recreated in areas needed. Worn wood areas are repaired in visible areas. Chips or minor wood issues in non visible areas are not addressed. The shooter lane is re-sanded. Minor ground in dirt is acceptable, but will repaint unsightly ground in dirt.

Level 4

A level four restoration is perfect for the collector who wants a great looking playfield even when the playfield is stripped down to bare wood.

The clearcoat layer is leveled off and made smooth and flat throughout (except where post indentations and raised screw mounts are present). Touch-ups are done in all areas, including unseen areas. These unseen areas are either spot touched up where needed, or repainted entirely white if the area has yellowed. All worn wood areas are redone. Worn edges on scoops, kick-outs, target banks, are all remade sharp edges again. Chips in the wood from screws are repaired, even in hidden areas. The shooter-lane is re-sanded and kept as original as possible. Stripped out screw holes can be repaired, but we must be notified which holes are stripped out. Ball swirl areas and yellowing areas are repainted to look uniform. Insert decals can be an option at this level (if specifically requested by owner). We normally do not use decals but will if requested.

Level 5

A level five restoration is the absolute creme-de-la-creme of playfield restoration. It is for that collector who wants to own a true museum looking piece that will appear as if it just came from the factory or better in all aspects.

Our level five restoration is the highest end restoration that we offer. The playfield is made completely flat and leveled off as if it was never installed in a game. Screw mounts are sanded flat. Touch-ups are done in all areas, including unseen areas. Any ball swirls that do not completely come out are repainted. Any worn detailed art is recreated, and any yellowed colors are repainted to their original color. All wood areas are repaired. The shooter lane is re-sanded and we attempt to keep it as original as possible. In extreme cases this isn't always possible, and then other options will be given to the owner of the playfield about which steps should be taken next, as there are various options which are personal preferences.  Also, certain years of inserts, get a flaking or air bubbles inside the insert.  This is different than ghosting.  This is where the insert seems to flake off in layers.  I do my best to repair and make this invisable.  But some inserts are not replaceable.  I do not remove inserts, unless deemed absolutely nessesary.  As many are glued in hardcore, and will shatter upon trying to remove.  So i'll do my best to fix them, but I can't guarentee 100% results on system 11 games or early WPC that use those old type inserts.  Sanding the inserts doesnt' always solve this, as the air bubbles are deep inside the plastic of the insert.

Ready?

Do you know what level you are the most interested in for your playfield? If so, contact us to get more information!