Playfield repair and clear coat

[mbudman]

Hello Everyone,

Happy holidays!

I just purchased a wide format colour printer / plotter that can print any playfield overlay. It can print as wide as 36 inches by several feet.

I tried printing my Count-down overlay on a gloss photographic (non adhesive) type paper and the results are amazing. The colours are vibrant.It only took 5 minutes to print.

I am just about to buy adhesive paper for this printer. I have a choice between gloss and matte.I plan on clear coating the overlay afterwards (once it is placed on the playfield).

What type of paper would be recommended? Gloss or matte? My thinking is that the clear coat will make matte glossy, so I am leaning towards the matte paper. Price difference between the two types of paper is insignificant. I do not mind the gloss either although it might be overkill.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Mark

[HPR Pinball]

Interesting, what is the maximum resolution it can print ?

[mbudman]

I picked up the HP Designjet T520 36 inch wide.

It can print 2400 x 1200 dpi resolution.

[hurricane]

Looking forward to your progress on this. Please keep us posted!

[bjm-maxx]

You would want the clear to have something to grab. I would be worried about the adhesion to a gloss paper. When I did my EightBall (that I bought from you), I used a semi-gloss Varathane over the printed layer, then did clear coat. In my case I did not want to risk the clear damaging the printed ink. I did a separate test panel that got cleared where half the ink was under Varathane and half exposed. Both turned out the same, the clear did not react with it. The thing is, there are tons of different clears.

Finally, when you bond your overlay down, do some tests on the bond strength of the overlay to a playfield-like panel. Make sure you cannot peel it off.

[dr.nybble]

How do you deal with inserts?

[mbudman]

I was wondering if someone could offer recommendations for inserts.

Should the be removed first, clear coat and then replace or can one put clear on top of them along with rest of pf?

[cap]

I am not an expert, but I thought you put the inserts first and then you clear the whole playfield.
If you clear them separately, wouldn't that may make it harder to put the inserts back?
That will also leave a small crack all around the inserts, which may give you the urge to clear on top of the whole thing all over again.
If you are curious, the definitive reference would be Vid's Guide to Ultimate Playfield Restoration
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic ... estoration

[twnotter]

2 coats of clear, fill any cupped inserts (using a medicine dropper) 2 coats of clear then level the entire playfield.

[mbudman]

Thanks to everyone for the information!

[dr.nybble]

I was more curious about how you are going to do the cutouts around inserts, slots, scoops etc. Do you have a vinyl cutter?

[mbudman]

I paid someone to print my playfield and he has a vinyl cutter. It cost me $85 plus tax to print the playfield.

I have since purchased a printer and there is a vinyl cutter at my office