How to flatten plastics?

[Towne]

Hi,

I have an old pin whose plastics have become warped over time. Is there
an easy, tried-and-true method for flattening these out?

Thanks,
--Towne

[wolfus]

Do a search on DEJA you'll find many posts and answers.
But I use a halogen lamp and sunglasses. really
While they are still warm I press them down on to the PF glass with a phone
book.
timathie
"Towne" <to...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
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[Rick Force]

I use a heat gun and warm up both sides of ONE plastic at a time( be careful
not to melt it!), then place a heavy object on the plastic that is big enough
to cover it entirely. This works great. I learned this trick from the good guys
at Pinballs Unlimited. Rick.
Flashback Amusements brings the past back to the future.

[Vic]

Also 'the old "200" degree oven and watch closely trick"-- and the leave out in
direct sunlight or on dashboard on a hot day method.

Basically, get 'em hot -- watch them for melting -- remove while very warm and
pliable and flatten out with glass or phone book etc, you'll figure it out.

Vic in Central FL
http://hometown.aol.com/vbehan/pinball.html

[Don S.]

Or go to the Mr. Pinball web page, and look in the Tips section. There's a
couple of ones in their about flattening plastics.

-don

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[Kirb]

I have a small camping heater that screws on top of a propane bottle
(the small ones) and use it to heat the plastics. I run the heater back
and forth over the plastic on a wood cutting board. Flip the plastic
and keep moving.

After it is warm on both sides and plyable all over, I put them between
an extra PF glass and a large wood cutting board. Putting a heavy
object on top helps.

Allow to cool for 30 minutes or more. They will warp again if you don't
wait for them to cool to room temp. I have done about 5-6 machines this
way.

In article <8FA916084tow...@24.2.2.74>,

--
Pins: "300", Vol-cane-o, Marrs- godd of warr, Bl-ack-Hoole, Hauntedd
Hooouse, Nooo Feer
'66 chicago coin "corvette" ball bowler
web page for info and pics!: http://www.geocities.com/kirbseepe/
I do gottlieb system 80 board fixes as a hobby too, see above web site.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[harry w]

Measure the interior of your oven and then purchase 2 pieces of plate glass
slightly smaller in dimensions. Clean your plastics very good and place
them on top of the first piece of glass in your oven. Place the other piece
on top and weight it down with something heavy, such as a pan of water.
Turn your oven to its LOWEST setting and allow to heat for about 2 hours.
Shut your oven off and wait until the oven is cool. Voila, your plastics
are as flat as flat can be. Do not remove them until after the cool down
period. Trust me. I do this to every old machine I get and have had
nothing but excellent results.

Good luck
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[Chris Munson]

Just did some for my Black Hole. Turn an iron on its hottest setting. Place
the plastic over a towel, then cover it with tin foil, and another towel.
Set the iron over the plastic, and let it stay there for 45 seconds to a
minute. Remove the iron, and immediately pull the piece out, placing it
between two flat, heavy books. Put pressure on them for about 30 seconds.
Flat plastics!!

Note: No guarantee is implied, it worked for me. Your actual success may
vary.

Good Luck!

Chris

[Towne]

Thanks to all for the plastic flattening tips. I'm going to try the hot
iron technique, plan B is the oven.

Also thanks for the drop target info!

--Towne

[Carrol Ingle]

For 14 yrs i've done it this way:Put the plastic on a piece
of paper and on something flat.Using a heat gun,heat the
nonpainted side of the plastic.The plastic will rise then
slowly go back down{doesnt have to go all the way down}.Then
I put another piece of paper on top,then a phone book on top
of that.Wait for it to cool.On large pieces or long pieces I
have to do a section at a time.
Always use a practice piece first no matter how you do it.
Carrol