Pinball machines require care and attention if you want to keep them running smoothly and in tiptop condition for a long time. Here are practical ways to maintain yours:
1. Regular cleaning should be part of your pinball machine upkeep.
This will not only help keep your unit smooth, shiny, and free from dirt and debris—it will also allow you to inspect its mechanisms more closely and prevent potential damage. Simple dusting and wiping can go a long way in keeping your unit in good condition, but deeper cleaning—as in removing the glass top and dusting in between the inner components of our playfield—will help you check for loose parts and even burnt out pinball lights and faulty connections.
2. Clean and/or replace balls.
Keeping the pinball clean is also key to extending the lifespan of your playfield. Any cracks, marks, or dirt left uncleaned on your pinball can end up scratching and damaging your playfield.
3. Replace playfield GI/flasher bulbs and tighten nuts, screws, and bolts to secure mechanisms in place.
With lots of moving parts, pinball machines are prone to loosening of components. Replacing broken pinball lights with a brand new pinball light kit will also help brighten up your playfield and improve visibility.
4. If you are not well versed in the inner workings of your pinball machine, do not attempt a repair or quick fix, thinking the problem is just as simple as a loose screw. Look for a knowledgeable and experienced technician to help get to the bottom of things.
5. Stay organized.
When storing or moving your machine, inspect all components and make sure that everything is in its proper place. Motion can easily cause pinball parts to get stuck or become loose. So before storing, moving, or turning your machine back on, make sure that you have checked your components first.
Perhaps the most important thing you should remember when it comes to pinball maintenance is never attempting to fix what is not broken as you could end up worse off than you have started when you are unsure about the repair or modification you are trying to accomplish.
It’s also important to keep yourself up to date with the latest mods and advancements in pinball technology can help you maintain your machine. Here at Pin Stadium, we have lots of information on new pinball LED kits, pinball lights, pinball light kits, and other machine accessories you can apply to your own unit.
