How To Clean and Wax Your Pinball Machine Playfield

As of 6/1/22 this video is now considered outdated. 2022 Edition is ready for viewing here: • How To Clean and Wax Y...
In this video Cary shows you how to clean your pinball machine playfield and give it that polish and shine that it deserves. This is the basic cleaning procedure. Don't forget to subscribe!

[@CaryHardy]

This video is outdated. New update has been posted for 2022! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnzNaXieoc-XmbM

[@freddierodriguez2608]

I just purchased "Attack from mars " special edition & Deadpool Pro. I'm new at this owning pin machines but I grew up in the 80s playing them. I never thought about them until recently after the pandemic but it's a dream come true owning one or a few. My plan is to have an arcade house with at least 8 machines. In about 5 months I'm getting Monster Bash special edition & TMNT premium 👌

[@netropolis]

I bought a Hurricane from an operator - it looked like it had NEVER been cleaned... EVER. it needed new rubbers and a new belt for the ferris wheel assembly in addition to a good cleaning. This video convinced me to try the naphtha/mill wax demonstrated in this video. WOW! I won't say it looks new... but it looks amazing to me! Thanks for posting this quick tutorial.

[@CaryHardy]

Thanks!

[@BruceCultureAllen]

Cary Hardy How do you feel about furniture beeswax? I use it on my pinball machines because if it’s good for expensive wood furniture it must be good for playfields. I never hear anyone else using it though

[@Horty57]

Hey Cary! I'm really enjoying your videos! Especially this one. It was very informative for such a simple task that isn't daunting but provides excellent insight into making and keeping the games clean. Keep it up and I look forward to learning more from you!

[@eliasdoster7813]

Ima newbie to owning a pin and this video was super helpful and straight forward! Thanks man!! Will be checking out your other videos as I sink deeper into the void of collecting pins.

[@sgtbucky5454]

Awesome tutorial! We just bought our first machine and it happened to be the World Cup Soccer! Again thank you!

[@CaryHardy]

Great first game to own!

[@spacecowboyfpv5511]

the DK backgorund music is FIRE bro.

[@blakeski397]

Glad someone else picked up on that!!

[@ajconstantine3593]

Wish I’d seen this before I got tricked into buyin Novus 1. Water woulda done the same. 🤷‍♂️ I’m tryin this Naptha ASAP. Thanks, Cary. 🤘

[@r.p.fairfield7911]

I'm totally new to this hobby and really want to take care of my TMNT and WOZ machines. I sincerely appreciated this video! Off to the hardware store!

[@gregyoung7986]

Appreciate the thoroughness of cleaning and maintaining

[@ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the tips. If I'm ever able to get a real pin, these tips will come in handy. :)

[@Hollyweirdification]

You will. Just stay focused and save your money.

[@808zhu]

What this guy said 👆

[@fieldtrips7855]

Thank you so much! Got my first two pins and your video really helped, I felt like i was playing in slow motion before I cleaned it. Thank you!

[@CaryHardy]

You are welcome

[@wrightguyz]

thanks for this, I did a modified version of some of the tips here..when I got to the wax, I used 'very little' blitz...this was for a ghostbusters premium...and holy crap looks amazing...game had about 1500 plays (HUO). And the ball moves way more smooth...it's really impressive difference.

[@blank069]

Absolutely beautiful playfield! Am looking to restore a Hook pinball , cant wait to try these tips, although some things not attainable here in Aus. Will need to find alternative for naptha. If it works out ill do my super mario pinnie next!

[@rustyblades2566]

Appreciate this video. I have a Rare 1980 The Empire Strikes Back machine and I want to do the waxing of the playfield the right way, so thanks again.

[@CaryHardy]

You are welcome!

[@bradwilliams1691]

Would your Empire Strikes Back be an Australian made Hankin pinball? If so, lucky you - it's very rare as are all Hankin machines.

[@troyhill4270]

Thanks! Learned things as always ✌

[@daninetbilbao1774]

Thanks. Great footage!

[@andrewdiamond2697]

I've had a Stern Simpsons that I got in 2005 or 2006 factory new that I had never cleaned....because I lost the key. Well, after having the key missing for maybe 8-10 years, my 12-year-old daughter found it in one of her bathroom vanity drawers (of all places). Now it's time to replace the flipper rubber and give it a good cleaning. Thanks for the video. :)

[@CaryHardy]

Make it shine again!

[@ScottParisi]

FML. Was 14:33 in before seeing your obsolete note. Heading to the next video.

[@davidmcinnis154]

I love the music!

[@Wolfanoz]

Great vid Cary! Personally use Blitz Wax and that same Show Car Glaze on a second coat too. I also advise doing new games out of the box with this whole process (gets rid of anything from the factory) and also using non-factory balls. They usually aren't too friendly to playfields.

[@CaryHardy]

I use blitzwax now. I need to do a 2021 edition.

[@blank069]

A close australian equivalent to naptha is turps if anyone here in Aus is interested.

[@corntaters9555]

Thank you sir for a very fine Maintenance tutorial Just watching makes me wanna clean my machines By the way is that cart modified I noticed hinges so that your handle can fold 180ﾟThank you!

[@CaryHardy]

Yes. I have a video in my SDTM playlist showing how to do it.

[@snarkybark]

At 6:56 (and various other times) the ends of the World Cup Soccer ramps are in view, and I can see you have metal brackets helping to secure (protect) those ramps. How do you come by those? My WCS ramps are pretty beat up (especially around the screw holes) and I'm trying to find a way to contain the damage. Those brackets look like they'd go a long way.

[@CaryHardy]

They are just metal "L" brackets. You can sub the metal for rubber padding that is available on marco or PBL.

[@SG25]

Hey! Great video. Thanks for posting it. Wondering if you would recommend using gloves / mask when applying the naphtha?

[@CaryHardy]

not really a BIG danger. it evaporates pretty quickly, but it is still a solvent - so gloves wouldnt hurt either.

[@SG25]

@@CaryHardy Thanks for the reply!

[@thunderfan77]

Hi Cary! Do you recommend an initial cleaning or waxing on a brand new machine out of the box before its first play?

[@CaryHardy]

You better not need a cleaning NIB! A Coat of wax won't hurt. Just another layer of protection.

[@Horty57]

I do have a question though, on my Black Rose, should I be waxing the plastic on the playfield that houses the cannon mech or just around it where the wood is?

[@gamersinc4193]

I would wax anything that the ball makes a lot of contact with. A layer of wax is better than nothing. The wax will wear down before it starts wearing down your next layer of materials. Not sure why its posting this comment reply under my other channel. lol.

[@juanmanuelgarcia199]

great video, what jack is that and where did you get it?

[@CaryHardy]

Harbor Freight

[@ssdobbins]

Just got a WCS and will be using these techniques! Question....Is Naptha safe on newer pins (Iron Maiden, Jurassic Park, Wonka)? With all the dimpling, pooling, and chipping, I just don't want to create further issues down the road. Thanks!

[@CaryHardy]

Naptha is fine. The great thing is that it evaporates very quickly.

[@King_Henry]

wouldn't a 100% Carnuba (sp) wax work well for a 1979 Magic Pin? Or would the Mill Wax be the preferred? thanks in advance!

[@CaryHardy]

carnuba is best. Blitz Wax is a great option.

[@matthewmorrison7441]

Nice donkey kong country music 👌

[@CaryHardy]

Best soundtrack ever!

[@42.0fmthefever5]

I know this video is 2 years old but what would you recommend for older machines like 40's to the 70's machines? PS love the Donkey Kong Jungle Groove music 🙂

[@CaryHardy]

Never had to deal with older machines to the degree of finding out what works best, but I think you would be safe to use Novus 2 for cleaning.

[@42.0fmthefever5]

@@CaryHardy thank you so much I appreciate it :)

[@gleorunyon3rd744]

What brand Naptha are you using and where do you get it?

[@CaryHardy]

I wouldn't worry about branding. You can get at places like Lowe's and home depot.

[@kotosnp]

What GSM on Microfiber cloths is best for playfields? I’m going crazy trying to figure it out

[@CaryHardy]

The cloth Harbor Freight sells is fine.

[@rustyhaskins1474]

How often do you do that

[@dennisd4027]

How do you clean the actual balls and how often do you replace the balls? Great video!

[@CaryHardy]

That's very subjective. But I personally clean them every time I clean the machine. I replace them when they show heavy signs of wear on them. There isn't a set amount of games or time.

[@MB-ux5tx]

@@CaryHardy How do you clean your balls Cary? Seriously though... just use alcohol?

[@CaryHardy]

@@MB-ux5tx Novus 2 will work just fine. Alcohol too. Doesn't take much to clean them. But using novus 2 gives them a mild coating of protection.

[@matthorn5929]

Where did you get that jack at? Also what did you use to clean the plastic ramps?

[@CaryHardy]

Good question! The jack is from Harbor Freight and I altered it to work with pinball machines. The novus or wax will work with the ramps. If you have an even more finer wax it would work best. i.e. Novus '1'. If my ramps are really bad I will remove them and do a flame polish on them.

[@jimboyer76]

@@CaryHardy Can you cover what mods you made to the jack to make it better suited for pinball?

[@CaryHardy]

@@jimboyer76 I may do a video going over it and other tools.

[@jeffbeuschlein3262]

@@CaryHardy Just got the same Jack I need to alter/Mod it as well Looking fwd to seeing how you did yours! Great Info !!

[@CaryHardy]

@@jeffbeuschlein3262 I have a video located on my team channel of "Straight Down the Middle".

[@danielelliott6071]

What is the lift you use to pull out the machine?

[@chrisjamesgameaudio2468]

I don't know exactly but it's something like a scissor lift dolly mover I think.

[@andrewdiamond2697]

So, I cleaned and lightly waxed my playfield on my 15-year-old Stern Simpson's Pinball Party machine, put the glass back in, but didn't want to play it last night because my daughter already went to sleep. This morning, I went to play it, only to find my balls are dirty. So tonight, I'm going to clean my balls. ROFL.

[@Jdawg1540]

Can I just use novus 2 on a brand new machine for first cleaning

[@CaryHardy]

Sure, Novus 2 is fine!

[@bobby_pilgrim4528]

8:38 happy wife, happy life

[@lobsterman5786]

I use TP, but having a buggar of a time finding any these days......

[@lobsterman5786]

@Johhny Johnstone only use the TP on Sterns, seems to work good on them.😀

[@tosspot1305]

What model is the hydraulic table lift that you use?

[@CaryHardy]

500 Lbs. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart from Harbor Frieght

[@tosspot1305]

@@CaryHardy Ahh ok thanks! So I'm assuming you've modified the handle?

[@CaryHardy]

@@tosspot1305 yes. There are various ways to go about doing this - I have a video on how I did it. Should be available in the SDTM content playlist.

[@tosspot1305]

@@CaryHardy Thanks mate! 👍

[@PotentialEnder]

What kind of wax do you use?

[@CaryHardy]

www.pinballlife.com/blitz-carnauba-paste-wax-12-ounce-jar.html

[@spacecowboyfpv5511]

I just bought a few machines and im so scared I cant take care of them now. I hope i can do them justice

[@CasperInkyMagoo]

I felt that way when I started. Just take your time and ask questions Edit: this sounds like nonsense, but there is a pinball repair help group on FB that is *amazing*. I suggest you go find it!

[@spacecowboyfpv5511]

@@CasperInkyMagoo Thanks man

[@caramba421]

Donkey Kong Country music lol

[@904PinballZine]

Novus 2 or Carnauba Wax

[@CaryHardy]

Blitz Wax

[@Tiger2000Lion2005]

Just use ceramic coat

[@MakeItorBreakItNow]

what type of wax are you using?

[@CaryHardy]

The wax I use in this video isn't recommended anymore. I need to make an updated video.

[@MakeItorBreakItNow]

@@CaryHardy thanks for the quick reply. Then what would you recommend I have a mint condition LOTR machine that needs some cleaning. Your videos are very good btw. Much appreciated.

[@CaryHardy]

@@MakeItorBreakItNow 'blitz Wax' is the new hotness in the hobby.

[@MakeItorBreakItNow]

@@CaryHardy thanks.

[@MakeItorBreakItNow]

@@CaryHardy I have Flitz Polish, assuming not the same thing?