How do I clean a yellowing playing field vintage

[cardwwi]

Is there a way to remove the yellowing from the playing field with out harming the other colors?

[NJ_Mike]

Some of the yellowing is usually surface discoloration / dirt on the paths the balls travel, I like to use Gel Gloss with a clean cloth. Spray the Gel Gloss on the cloth, rub to clean, to get into tight spots I (gently) use a chopstick, wrap the cloth around it. Not only does it clean, but it polishes and adds a layer of protection to the playfield.

If you are looking at the water stains around the playfield nails, there isn't anything you can do short of a full restoration of the playfield (a la Microbus and others).

There is a great sticky thread written by Jeff (JACKSJE4) in the Vintage Pachinko forum on cleaning vintages:

Tips for Cleaning Your Vintage Pachinko Machine

[cardwwi]

Here are some better photo's of yellowing, can it be removed?

[Moparformances]

Here are some better photo's of yellowing, can it be removed?

some of that may be tar from cigs..

cell cleaner may help... try a bit of windex one a rag and see if that cleans it... but keep the windex to a mininum.. thats how water stains get started...

put the windex on the rag not on the cell

[new in town]

some of that may be tar from cigs..

cell cleaner may help... try a bit of windex one a rag and see if that cleans it... but keep the windex to a mininum.. thats how water stains get started...

put the windex on the rag not on the cell

If it's from Cigarette Tar then use :

AutoZone.com | Cleaner/Degreaser | 40 oz. industrial strength cleaner degreaser

[JACKSJE4]

I would be hesitant to use Windex, as it contains a lot of amonia. I prefer 409 because it has the same cleaning strength with out the harmful amonia. You might also try TTC's Miracle Polishing Cloth. It seems to clean everything else, so it may do a great job on the cell.

Jeff

[Moparformances]

I would be hesitant to use Windex, as it contains a lot of amonia. I prefer 409 because it has the same cleaning strength with out the harmful amonia. You might also try TTC's Miracle Polishing Cloth. It seems to clean everything else, so it may do a great job on the cell.

Jeff

good point

[emmadog]

Some yellowing will likely always remain unfortunately.

[cardwwi]

I have tried Windex, 409, and Clorox Bleach no change, I am going to try Baking soda tonight. I don't think it from smoke more likely from sunlight.

[TilionMtl]

The vintage I got recently is also yellowish, and the patterns on the cells are discolored, some nearly vanished. The way it is discolored, it was surely from sunlight.

I doubt it is possible to restore the original color without using abrasive stuff, and using something abrasive on the cell will remove the coating and have a great chance of scratching the paper with the patterns. if you try something abrasive, go really gently, but you have a good chance to end up with a dull (cloudy) cell instead of glossy one.

[JACKSJE4]

I have tried Windex, 409, and Clorox Bleach no change, I am going to try Baking soda tonight. I don't think it from smoke more likely from sunlight.

If the yellowing is under the laminate, then it is probably from the acidic properties in the paper and/or acid seeping in from the plywood back board (wood is very acidic). There is no way to remove the yellowing other than to have Microbus99 put a new cell on it for you.

Faded colors in the design are typically the result of the inks fading over time due to long term exposure to ultra violet rays from flourescent lights and daylight.

If the yellowing is tolerable, I wouldn't try too many more cleaners on it, as you will run the risk of damaging the laminate.

Jeff

[NJ_Mike]

Looking through the pictures again, I wouldn't do anything or worry about it. It looks like it won't be very noticeable when all the pieces are installed, especially if a person hasn't seen it without the pieces installed.

AND - there doesn't appear to be any water stains, I'd be very happy with that, its in very nice shape otherwise, I don't think you'll notice it much when you put it back together and get some play time on it. Maybe you can light it somehow to minimize the effect if it continues to bother you.

[Microbus99]

The yellowing is definitely under the laminate and on the paper itself. Like Tilion and Jeff mentioned it was probably exposed to sunlight for a long time.

The laminate is very thick so polishing it wont hurt the paper underneath. Unfortunately, about all you can clean from the face is any rust from balls and any wear it might show from years of play.

If it isnt water stained I wouldnt worry about it. As far as the yellowing goes, I considered using a yellower tinted paper for a resto to give it that antiqued look.

Unless you want it to look brand new I think it looks fine like it is!

Have fun!!

[compirate]

about all you can clean from the face is any rust from balls and any wear it might show from years of play.

Very few are played with rusty balls (except when they get here ), it's more tar and dirt. The balls get very dirty from being handled and the more open ball handling systems from the olden days. A lot of parlors have warm towels that you can get to clean your hands after playing, and the ball handling systems now have automatic cleaners that do a pretty good job of keeping them clean.

[Microbus99]

Thanks Compirate. I probably should have clarified what I meant. Most of the machines I've acquired came with a bag of rusty balls. I'm sure they were played in the machine that way as I dont think alot of people cared, which seems pretty obvious considering the condition they're in alot of the time. I have a few machines that look like they came from the bottom of the ocean.

On the other hand I wouldnt dare run a rusty ball thru my machines!

[TilionMtl]

... and the ball handling systems now have automatic cleaners that do a pretty good job of keeping them clean.

What??? you never said that to me!! smoking1:

Where the link to a YJA auction? where??? heheheh
______________________________________________________

... I have a few machines that look like they came from the bottom of the ocean.

Oh these are normal, don't try to clean them.. they are called: Sea Story, New Sea Story, Sea Story Special

[wrkey]

Very few are played with rusty balls (except when they get here ), it's more tar and dirt. The balls get very dirty from being handled and the more open ball handling systems from the olden days. A lot of parlors have warm towels that you can get to clean your hands after playing, and the ball handling systems now have automatic cleaners that do a pretty good job of keeping them clean.

I think I should take offence to the first part of this statement.. but I'm not sure.

[compirate]

What??? you never said that to me!! smoking1:

Where the link to a YJA auction? where??? heheheh

I've posted it before, not sure where. Come up very very seldom.

[cardwwi]

I had a filling that I was SOL on this one, Thanks for the input.