Best way to remove mylar

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steamfitter
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Best way to remove mylar

Post by steamfitter »

I'm looking for the do's and don't about removing mylar . I've removed many mylar with a heat gun with no issues but the last one I did did not go so well . There was an area that was repaired with sharpies and when I removed the mylar , paint around the touched up just come off the playfield. I found an other playfield and want to get it right .

Thanks

Denis
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cap
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Re: Best way to remove mylar

Post by cap »

I can't compare because I only used the freeze spray method once. You have to be careful to only lift the area that was just frozen and no more. The spray effect takes a couple seconds to start and lasts around 10 seconds. You need to work in smaller strips even though it is tempting to just peel the whole width. You have to be extra careful over inserts.

Afterwards, the way I like best to remove the glue is to use Goo Gone, let it sit for 10min, and then use flour and rub with your finger until you feel the surface is smooth. It is a pleasant method but it makes a mess. If you plan to unpopulate your playfield, you should do that before.
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Re: Best way to remove mylar

Post by steamfitter »

i think the sharpie touch ups had a lot to do with paint lifting from the playfield , because it only lifted around touched up areas .

i also use goo gone but with plastic scraper and magic errasser .

thanks cap for advise

Denis
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cap
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Re: Best way to remove mylar

Post by cap »

The plastic scraper can scratch the playfield. The flour method is a lot more gentle if you accept you will have to clean some powder afterwards. It is also easier to know when there is no glue left.
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Re: Best way to remove mylar

Post by Pinoffski »

Hi Denis,
I have used various methods to remove mylar ,
Freeze method with Loctite Freeze & Release spray
Heat method using the wife's hair dryer

and also just putting the playfield out in the sun (have had great results with this)

Sometimes if the paint starts to lift with the heat method i stop in that area .
remove mylar from other parts of the playfield .
come back to the area were it is lifting and then change to the freeze method ..
and also come from the opposite direction to minimize the paint loss .

Cleaning the glue of i use a product which is a natural citrus base (smells like oranges)
with the flour method and if you are careful use a old credit card as a scrapper
or the wifes one if she has it maxed out...lol

I was told to use goo off which is here in AU and it took the paint of my xenon ..
it was a definitely the wrong thing to use as it was Flammable (petrol based)

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cap
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Re: Best way to remove mylar

Post by cap »

Pinoffski wrote:I was told to use goo off which is here in AU and it took the paint of my xenon ..
it was a definitely the wrong thing to use as it was Flammable (petrol based)
Goo Gone is safe for paint. Goof Off is another product that can be easily confused with Goo Gone. Goof Off is bad for paint as you discovered.
There are multiple resources on the net that compare the two products.
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