What do you use to clean your modern pinball machines?

[Azatotht]

I am running out of Novus and was wondering what else people are using these days?

I used to buy EM plastic scratch remover at Rona, which is essentially Novus 2.

[semicolin]

I use brake cleaner to really get in the cracks and get all of that unsightly artwork removed from playfields and plastics. I love the natural look

[Fifty]

I still use Ronsonol lighter fluid for pretty much everything, and PinGuard for rubbers and where there's a lot of carbon build up. PinGuard I've used for a long, long time. Unsure how I started using it, but it works really well and I like the smell of it. I originally ordered it from PinballLife, but PinballMedics brings it in now, so I just buy it from them.

For wax, I use California Gold® Pure Brazilian Carnauba Wax from Mothers that I've had for years. I do have Novus 2 and Novus 1, but I find I use these more to clean up plastics around the house more than I use them on my pins. I find Novus 2 pretty abrasive, but Novus 1 I use all the time. It's very mild. I use Novus 1 and very fine sandpaper to clean up scratches on music CDs I purchase second hand as well.

[Azatotht]

So is that it? Lighter fluid?

I'll get a bottle and try it out. How much do you use on your cloth, do you soak it or just use a little?

[cap]

Be careful with flammable material indoors.

[Fifty]

So is that it? Lighter fluid?

I'll get a bottle and try it out. How much do you use on your cloth, do you soak it or just use a little?

Soak it? No. A large bottle will last a long long time. You only need a small squirt to do a large area. It squirts out of the bottle in a really fine line. I usually squirt directly into a lint free cloth to clean the hard to reach places, but for an open playfield I just throw a line down and apply the cloth afterwards. The stuff evaporates quickly, but you want to avoid pooling it with a large application. You really don't need much.

If you pass out from the smell you are using too much. Avoid using it on silkscreened plastics or on any areas where the paint or wood is exposed (not clearcoated). If you are unsure, do a test in an area that is hidden. <Insert typical health warning here about using in well ventilated area>. After you are done cleaning make sure to apply wax.

I forget where I first learned this. I think it was from a PinballNinja video. Remember those guys? I bought their DVD on how to restore a machine. This was like 20 years ago??? Holy, I didn't think I had been in the hobby that long. During the video they lay down a line of lighter fluid on the playfield they are restoring and set it on fire. The playfield was fine. I think they were working on a Banzai Run, but I don't honestly remember.

Be careful with flammable material indoors.

All the materials I have indoors are flammable.

[Patrab]

A la place du fluide à briquet, tu peux utiliser du naphte, c’est la même chose.

[Mrhide]

va voir Rab pis pogne toi du Novus 2 encore voyons

[Sparky]

Mild cleaning, Novus 2. I have the same bottes since 2009.

Semi deep cleaning? 99% rubbing alcohol and a magic eraser. Go easy.

DEEP cleaning (ball swirls on an old pin), I use methyl-ethyl-ketone with a magic eraser, and rub VERY lightly and just for 2-3 seconds. Then I check.

After cleaning, I wax the playfield down. Wax down, rub it in, let it dry for a couple of hours, then buff clean.

[Xylog]

I use Lighter Fluid & Novus #2 on my machines

[Pinball Junkie]

This

[Xylog]

For my restorations I use Ronsonol lighter fluid & Novus #2. Works beautifully. Then Mother's Carnauba Wax.

Get's that lovely factory shine back.

[TwilightZone]

Novus 2 for playfield followed by Mother's Wax.

For plastics, Novus 1. If really dirty, I will clean with Novus 2 and then apply Novus 1.

[Azatotht]

Looks like Novus 1 and 2 is still the way to go, thanks for your comments.