Pinball assistance

[grimbal]

Over the weekend I got a 1971/72 original Bally Fireball pinball machine. Now I have 2 questions:

1. What is the best cleaning solution to use on the playfield itself? I've looked online and found a few things, but was wondering if there was anything that can be store bought and not have to be ordered online.


2. For some reason the metal housing the glass cover is becoming electrified resulting in a good shock whenever you touch the metal, however it doesn't happen with the coin mech door or plunger. This happens randomly as I've played it for 30 minutes or so and not gotten shocked at all. Other times I've just had to plug it in and get shocked by the metal before even turning on the machine itself. Also the power switch doesn't have this problem as it's never shocked me.

I've gone through as best I could and looked for any frayed or exposed wires but didn't see any. Anybody familiar with the old Fireball and might have a suggestion?

[GreatBazunka]

1. If its not too dirty then wipe lightly with a magic eraser and 90% isopropyl alcohol. Work areas of more dirt a little more. Just make sure not to rub away the finish. Finish up with a good carnauba wax. I use Mother's California Gold cleaner carnuaba wax. It got a little extra dirt up too.

2. Check all of your wires. Sounds like a big job but it sounds like something isnt grounded properly. Make sure all grounds are good and nothing is touching metal that it shouldn't

[Captain Wrong]

Nothing to add except I'm jealous. Fireball may be my favorite old school table.

[Peale]

Holy zombie post, Batman!

[Captain Wrong]

*slaps forehead*

D'oh! Well, I haven't been here in a while. (I'd still like a Bally Fireball tho.)

[GreatBazunka]

when i talk does any one see what i say or im i invisible??

[Videogamerdaryll]

1. If its not too dirty then wipe lightly with a magic eraser and 90% isopropyl alcohol. Work areas of more dirt a little more. Just make sure not to rub away the finish. Finish up with a good carnauba wax. I use Mother's California Gold cleaner carnuaba wax. It got a little extra dirt up too.

2. Check all of your wires. Sounds like a big job but it sounds like something isnt grounded properly. Make sure all grounds are good and nothing is touching metal that it shouldn't

Congrats on the Pin grimbal

Yea Magic Eraser...though I never tried it on the Playfield it made the outside of the machine (1976) look like new..just had to not get crazy with it and take off the paint

The guy I bought my Pin from had did the playfield and to be honest I wish I could actually have someone do it again if I ever want to do it..

I tried mill wax and it seems to Wet..I started in a hidden spot and it looks to eat the paint off the playfield and or make it dull

I'd like to tty the carnuaba wax...thanks GreatBazunka


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Does the pin have a duel or triple end AC plug?

If triple,make sure the ground pin end is intact..sometimes they break off and sit in the plastic

The machine may need to be grounded to something..
Try running a wire to a pipe or something and see if it goes away.

Check around the power supply,maybe the ground from the cord came off

I used to get ZAPPED from my Neo Geo MVS Candy Cab..Ohh man it feels so funny"ouch,Damm it"
It has a duel prong plug (no third ground pin type

Instead of putting in a three prong plug I just grounded the cab to something and no more zap..the cab actually has a ground screw on the back

[GreatBazunka]

Wahoo

[Peale]

when i talk does any one see what i say or im i invisible??

Did someone say something?

Nope...just the wind.

[Goblin]

Congratulations on the pin. I really wouldn't play it too much until you get a handle on the grounding issue. Follow the wires, make sure you are using a grounded plug and outlet. If you still can't find it, then consider having someone with experience look at it. If you are lucky the shock is only coming from a low voltage tap on the transformer running some of the lights, if you are unlucky you could be getting 120V straight. Too big a risk to play around with if you don't have experience.

For cleaning use Novus 2, which is available from a number of online dealers. Once that is done you can use plain carnuba wax as has previously been suggested. I have a bottle of Millwax that I bought, but everyone I'd talked with has recommended against it. I still don't really understand why.

Just be aware that pins are an addicting hobby. After over 10 years of collecting console games, I have all but abandoned them in favor of pins and am looking to add number three possibly as early as this weekend.

[Peale]

There may not be a problem with the wiring in the pin itself - it may be with the outlet, or even the house wiring. Before going whole-hog into the pin, make sure your house electric is in good standing.

I used to live in a house where if you measured from ground to neutral you'd get like 22VAC (it should be ZERO). Luckily I don't live there any more.

[arcade*trader*lax]

use WILDCAT pinball cleaner polish wax ITS GOOD AND PROTECTS YOUR PLAYFIELD
vintagegames@netzero.net

since you have an em (electro-mechanical) pinball
try cleaning the leaf switches in the pinball back box
a thin nail file is good but dont over do it