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Restoration and repair of modern pinball machines (1990-to



Restauration Moderne Flipperautomaten

In the following we will show you how a restoration of a modern pinball machine (from 1990) pinball machine is done. We show you a restoration of level 1, as well as some additional services. The included services, as well as prices for additional services, please refer to the list at the end.

The initial situation


Even newer pinball machines sometimes show devastating damage due to improper use over many years:

  • Damaged housings
  • Heavily worn playfield components such as plastics, mail, etc.
  • Rust accumulation on metal parts
  • Playfields with clear signs of use
  • Damaged boards due to corrosion and moisture - Leaking batteries
  • Worn wear parts....uvm.


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The checklists


Especially when restoring such complex devices as the modern pinball machines, we work strictly according to checklists. At the highest level, this checklist now comprises over 200 points, all of which are worked through one by one. On the one hand, we want to ensure the greatest possible transparency in a sometimes very opaque market - after all, we want our customers to know what they are spending their money on. On the other hand, we also want to ensure a consistently high standard. Our employees thus carry out the same work over and over again strictly according to the checklists - so no point is overlooked and everything is worked through bit by bit.


The procedure


First functional test and inventory

First, an intensive functional test is made. Every function of the pinball machine is tested. We also examine all components and circuit boards. This allows us to make an inventory before disassembly, order appropriate spare parts and make recommendations to the customer. The goal is to order as many parts as possible in advance in order to save time later during assembly.


Disassembly

Then the pinball machine is disassembled into all its components


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Reconditioning of the various components

The various components of the pinball machine are reconditioned in a variety of ways to bring them to new condition, or very worn parts are replaced with new parts. This is always done in consultation with the customer.


Small metal parts

Smaller metal parts such as screws, nuts and posts are treated in the tumbler. Here they are polished by different granulates and polishing agents over approx. 3 days and look like new afterwards.


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Ball guides on the playing field

The ball guides (ball light sheets on the playing field) are ground and thus the running marks are removed and the original polish is restored. These can also be polished to a mirror finish (for an additional charge).


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Barlock and Lockbar

The barlock of the pinball machine is usually in a very bad condition. Often drinks have simply run into the inside of the pinball machine over time, which leads to severe corrosion. If the actual substance (metal) is still usable, the barlock is sanded down and protected against rusting with clear lacquer. If the actual substance is too bad, the lock is painted with an aluminum effect paint.


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The lockbar also usually has heavy scratches - this is ground and provided with the original grinding (grain). If desired (for an additional charge), the lockbar can be polished to a high gloss, just like all metal parts. For this purpose, this is ground in different grits (coarse-fine) and then polished to a shine with a multi-stage polishing system.

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Assemblies

The assemblies are disassembled and cleaned. Small parts are treated in the tumbler - the rest is ground or polished - either by machine or by hand. The metal parts can also be re-galvanized to look as good as new. After refurbishment, these are fitted with new wear parts and reassembled.


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Other metal parts

All other metal parts are either ground, machine polished or, in the case of parts that are difficult to access, polished by hand using a polishing agent.


Housing screws

The screws of the housings are sanded and then painted black matt or glossy


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Playing field parts


Playing field plastics / Plastic repros / Clear plastics

The actual playing field plastics are polished up by means of polishing agents and polishing machine or flame polishing and can thus be restored to a very good condition. Of course, the "yellowing" of the plastics due to material fatigue cannot be corrected. The transparent plastics are usually immediately replaced by new plastics, laser cut from high quality VIVAK material, which is extremely flexible and therefore almost indestructible. Many plastics are available on the market as new parts or complete licensed sets. Plastics not available on the market can be reproduced.


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Ramps (metal / plastic)

If the actual substance of the ramps (metal surface) is still good, the metal ramps are polished to a high shine using polish. The plastic ramps are first cleaned and then flame polished to remove the running marks. The installed baffles are ground and polished as described.


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Other playfield parts

All other field parts like plastic posts, targets, lane guides, contacts etc. will be refurbished or replaced by new parts.


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Wooden strips (bordering the playing field)

The side wooden strips that border the playing field are intensively cleaned, sanded and then repainted.


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Wear parts

We recommend to replace all wearing parts of the pinball machine with new parts, because they are responsible for the later fun of playing. Strong pinball fingers, popbumper and slingshots, jaggedly falling droptargets etc. simply give the feeling to play a new pinball. Therefore, you should replace them right away if everything is already dismantled anyway.


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Wiring harnesses

The cable harnesses are cleaned manually or mechanically and look like new afterwards.


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Renewing the reel papers and service stickers

New coil papers and service stickers inside and outside the cabinet make for a clean overall look and are an uncanny visual upgrade to the pinball machine.


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Playing field


Playing field polishing

The playing field is polished to a high gloss using a multi-stage polishing system. In the process, sunken or raised inserts are also brought into line with the playing field. This not only makes the playing surface smooth and highly glossy, it also makes the colors much richer and more vibrant.


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Partial restoration

Even the playfields of modern pinball machines can sometimes be partially repaired. The playfield can then be protected with a high-quality Mylar film or a playfield protector made of very thin Makrolon.


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Complete pitch restoration

Of course we recommend a complete restoration including painting of the playing field for a first class result - More information about our playing field restorations can be found here:



Housing


Included in our offer price is an intensive cleaning of the housing inside and outside including all components such as cashier door, lock bar, the lock, wiring harnesses, tilt pendulum, power transformer, cable holder, etc.. Likewise, selective color corrections are made in the black area of the housing. The backbox rim is also repainted black.

For an additional charge, the case can be partially refurbished - as shown below. This involves removing all components from the cabinet, sanding out the bottom, and repainting the cabinet interior black. Likewise, the back of the backbox and also the cabinet will be repainted in black from the back. The cleaned components including the new ground strap are then reassembled.


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For a perfect result, the housing of the pinball machine should be completely renewed - as described here. Below are some galleries of finished housings:


Technical restoration or repair


Circuit board cleaning

The boards are cleaned with a special, very gentle cleaner before repair or rework.


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Circuit board service / assembly with new components

A service program for circuit boards is already included in the offer price of our restorations. I.e. if the boards are in the usual condition and still all work, we replace as a precaution various components of which we know that they will fail sooner or later. We also check all soldering points for cold soldering points and re-solder all pin headers and check the board connectors as a precaution. We ask for your understanding that we can not repair completely damaged boards within the complete price, because this can sometimes take days. We clarify this with our customers on site when inspecting the boards.


Circuit board repair vs new circuit boards

Circuit boards of modern pinball machines are usually still in a usable condition and can be repaired with the usual service program. However, depending on the condition of these boards, it occasionally makes sense to consider a new repro board. Equipped with new components they guarantee unrestricted playing pleasure for many years. Of course, all original boards can be repaired - but you simply cannot give a functional guarantee over a long period of time, since the components on them are sometimes decades old and you simply cannot say if and when they will fail. A board repair is always offered separately and depends on the basic condition of the boards.


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New platinum connectors

A main reason for many malfunctions are the connectors. Due to aging processes, heat and environmental influences, the pins in the connectors and the pin strips on the circuit boards can corrode. This means that there is no longer a clean connection and malfunctions occur. We recommend replacing the connectors, which are known to be weak points, as a precaution.


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Latest software / IC burning service

icsWe check if the latest version of the factory software is installed. If necessary the IC's are burned again and/or also defective IC's are exchanged - these are socketed directly, so that these are more easily accessible in the future.


Removing the battery holder

The battery holder is moved to the side of the cabinet to prevent batteries from leaking over the circuit boards. We recommend to change the batteries 1x per year during operation, so that the pinball machine does not lose any setting.



Assembly and functional test


After all parts have been refurbished as described above and the electronics have been reworked, the pinball machine is reassembled piece by piece. Then the commissioning takes place: intensive tests of all functions, switches, contacts, etc.. Finally, approx. 50-100 test games are made.

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Fine tuning for a perfect playing feeling


Benefit from our many years of experience and our passion for pinball: we have played all current models many hundreds of times over the past decades. We know exactly how the ball should run, how the pinball fingers should stand optimally. Droptargets that drop easily and smoothly, spinners that don't just spin - they have to be smooth - there's nothing better than a rich spinner shot with spinners that spin seemingly endlessly. A pinball machine can look as fascinating as it is - all this only makes sense if it plays just as well. Especially on the fine tuning we attach great importance and sometimes spend many hours until the pinball plays exactly as it should.




Prices


As mentioned, we work according to checklists that include well over 150 points in the highest level. In the following we give you a rough overview of the included services - detailed lists are available on request.

 
Restoration level 2

Included services (procedures as described above):

  • Inventory with test of all functions upon delivery
  • Research and procurement of spare parts within the usual scope
  • Complete disassembly of the top of the playing field
  • Cleaning and reconditioning of all pitch components:
  • Cleaning and polishing of the playfield plastics
  • Cleaning and polishing of the targets
  • Cleaning and polishing of all metal parts (removing ball marks, grinding of metal parts that were original with grinding, mirror polishing of all other metal parts like lane guides, ball guides, etc.)
  • Replacement of wear parts:
  • Disassembly of slingshot, pop bumper, flipper finger and other moving assemblies, intensive cleaning and fitting with new wear parts.
  • Fitting with new rubbers
  • Fitting with new bulbs or LED's
  • Fitting with new playfield components according to agreement
Playing field:

  • Intensive cleaning, multi-stage polishing of the playing field and sealing with wax. Minor touch-ups in the black area (insert borders).
  • All inserts are cleaned from the bottom

Case:
  • Intensive cleaning of the case and components (without disassembly).
  • Reconditioning (grinding) of the lock
  • Reconditioning (grinding and polishing) of the lockbar
  • Cleaning and polishing of the checkout door
  • Cleaning of flipper finger buttons

Technique:

  • Service program for the circuit boards as described above within the usual framework
  • Equipping the boards with various new components (as a precaution)
  • Cleaning and re-soldering of all pin headers
  • Checking of all board connectors
  • Installation of an external battery holder
  • Assembly of the pinball machine
  • Intensive function test of all functions over approx. 8-10 days
  • Fine tuning and adjustment of all functions (we know exactly how a perfectly working pinball machine should play)
  • Approx. 50-100 test games
Workload: approx. 50 hours
Price: from 3.000* Euro incl. VAT

*Price is for a pinball machine in the usual/typical basic condition. Basis of the offer price is a calculative hourly rate of 50 hours. We work with a detailed time recording system. If the total hours are significantly exceeded, the price for the restoration will increase analogously. We discuss this with our customers during the restoration.



Restoration level 1

Included services (procedures as described above):

Includes all services as in Level 2 plus:

Playfield:

  • All components of the underside of the playing field are also disassembled and cleaned
  • All wiring harnesses are machine cleaned
  • All assemblies are disassembled and cleaned
  • All coil papers are replaced with new ones
  • The side wooden strips on the playing field are refurbished or repainted

Casing:

  • All components of the case are disassembled, wiring harnesses are cleaned, all other parts are refurbished and metal parts are polished.
  • The bottom of the case is cleaned intensively
  • All screws are refurbished and polished

Workload: approx. 70 hours
Price: from* 4.000 Euro incl. VAT

*Price is for a pinball in the usual/typical basic condition. Basis of the offer price is a calculative hourly rate of 70 hours. We work with a detailed time recording system. If the total hours are significantly exceeded, the price for the restoration will increase analogously. We discuss this with our customers during the restoration.



Further costs

  • If applicable, flat rate for research and spare parts procurement (this can take several hours depending on the model) if this exceeds the usual expenditure
  • Spare parts according to agreement with the customer
  • Flat rate for consumables during restoration (approx. 40-100 Euro)
  • Flat rate for small electronic material during board repair (approx. 30-70 Euro)
  • If necessary, collection and delivery of the pinball machine (incl. commissioning)



Additional services (on request or by arrangement)

  • Galvanizing
  • Chrome plating
  • Gilding
  • Partial touching up and varnishing of the case
  • Partial touching up and varnishing of the playing field
  • High gloss polishing of various components of the pinball machine that were ground in the original
  • Exchange of defective, ailing lamp sockets per piece 5,00 Euro plus socket (1,50-2,00 Euro)
  • Circuit board repair which exceeds the usual "circuit board service
  • Replacing of platinum connectors per piece 12-18 Euro incl. material (depending on size of connector / number of pins)






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