Tips for Cleaning Playfield Pins...

[Super Dave Osbourne]

In cleaning the pins, using strips of cotton tshirts (width of a shoe lace, instead of old shoe laces) does the job fine as mentioned in the 'tips for cleaning'. However it takes about :30 to :60 per pin. This takes 3-4 hours for the entire PF and very prone to tired fingers (whining inserted here). Does anyone have a more effective and less time consuming tip on cleaning brass pins on a pachinko PF? What is your favorite method and materials used (both liquid, dry, or in between). Thank you, coming from one very tired pin polisher!

[JACKSJE4]

I use the Miracle Cloth. I cut it into strips and use it to clean the shafts as you would do with the cotton T-Shirt strips. I also use it for the heads of the pins, as it makes quick work of the task.

You can find them on eBay or Amazon for a few bucks. Just search for "Miracle Cloth"

~Jeff

[mxfaiman]

Normally I pull the pins ad replace the background. But when I don't I use a shoe lace and MAAS metal polish. Amazon.com - Maas International Metal Polish, 4-Ounce Can be found at ACE hardware. The stuff is great and a little goes a long way.

[cardwwi]

This is what I use

Ace 300ft Natural Cotton Parcel Post Twine (72833) - Twine & String - Ace Hardware

and

Mothers® Mag & Aluminum Polish

clean up around pins after with

Q-tips®

[mxfaiman]

Mothers® Mag & Aluminum Polish

Theres no shine like mothers. I find the Mag polish handy but it isn't the best for the pins. I actually use it to give the chrome frame a final polish. It is good for light metal polishing. Sometimes the pins need something more abrasive. Which is what the MAAS is.

[bundito]

Normally I pull the pins ad replace the background. But when I don't I use a shoe lace and MAAS metal polish. Amazon.com - Maas International Metal Polish, 4-Ounce Can be found at ACE hardware. The stuff is great and a little goes a long way.

Maas Polish does work miracles. However, Maas Auto Repair (where Marty Maas created the stuff) is only a few blocks from where I grew up. I didn't get good service from them, so now I don't buy their polish. I'm sticking with Brasso. Harumph!

When doing the shoelace or strip of cloth trick, do you wrap the strip all the way around the shaft and do it all at once, or do you go top, bottom, rinse, repeat? I have yet to polish my pins and I'm not looking forward to it.

Also, once they're all cleaned and polished (no matter which polish you choose, harumph again!), how long does the shine last? Is this something I'm going to be repeating any time soon? I know brass tarnishes, I just don't know how quickly.


-Dito

(PS: Gold never tarnishes. Gold can be electroplated over brass. You can buy home electroplating kits from a place called Caswell. The first one to do this would certainly end up in the PachiTalk Hall Of Fame.)

[JACKSJE4]

I used the Miracle Cloth on one of the first vintages I restored about 5-6 years ago now. It's hanging on the wall in my basement and it gets played quite a bit. The pins still look nice and shiney to this day.

If the machine is stored in the attic or garage, and is exposed to the elements in some fashion, then I would expect the pins to tarnish at a faster rate than if you kept the machine in a more climate controlled enviroment.

Just my two cents worth.

~Jeff