Replacement Score Window Color Filters
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Pinball Pal score window color filters are available for:
System 1 Pinball Machines
Cleopatra
Sinbad
Joker Poker
Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind
Dragon
Charlie's Angels
Solar Ride
Count-Down
Pinball Pool
Incredible Hulk
Totem
Genie
Buck Rogers
Roller Disco
Torch
Asteroid Annie and the Aliens
All System 1 games have blue score window color filters
Some of the
games below originally had transparent score windows and used vacuum-formed
plastic color filters over the display tubes. If the original
filters are missing or damaged on your game, you can apply these color
filters to the backglass or even to the display tubes themselves, as
desired.
System 80 Pinball Machines
Amazing Spiderman
Circus
Panthera
Counterforce
James Bond 007
Star Race
Time Line
Force II
Mars, God of War
Pink Panther
Black Hole
Eclipse
Haunted House *
Haunted
House uses green score window color filters. All other System 80
games use blue filters.
System 80A Pinball Machines
Devil's Dare *
Caveman
Caveman
Rocky
Spirit
Striker *
Punk! *
Goin' Nuts
Krull
Q*Bert's Quest
Super Orbit
Royal Flush Deluxe
Devil's Dare, Striker and Punk! use green score
window color filters. All other System 80A games use blue filters.
Photo Gallery
NEW LOWER PRICE!
A common problem with early solid-state Gottlieb® pinball machines is damage to the color filters of the backglass score windows. Often the displays tubes will rub marks in the fragile color filter, or the filters may be cloudy, cracked, flaking or scratched. These eyesores can ruin the otherwise beautiful artwork of these classic games.
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The
Pinball Pal score window color filters are transparent, self-adhesive vinyl, cut to the
proper size and ready to apply to your backglass. They are available
in blue and green so there are filters for every Gottlieb pinball machine
that uses numeric displays. Just pick the color that you want when
you place your order.
Click on the image at left for a larger view. All of the images on this page are backed up with high-resolution blow-ups. |
Good backglasses for these pinball machines are getting harder and harder to find, and it is a shame when the appearance of an otherwise nice glass is marred by flaws in the color filters in front of the displays. Your eye is drawn to the displays so they become the focal points of the backglass and this makes even slight flaws much more obvious.
The Problem
Do your score windows
look like this, or worse?
(click any
image for a bigger view)
Same score window from
the rear of the backglass
The color filters used on these Gottlieb pinball machines is a thin layer of ink that was deposited as part of the artwork silk screening process. Unfortunately, after decades of use and abuse, this fragile surface is easily damaged by environmental changes that may leave other parts of the backglass artwork unaffected. Besides the effect of age, there is a mechanical weakness in the display printed circuit board (PCB) which has marred up countless score windows over the years. The display tube is soldered to the display printed circuit board and the display is bent to a right angle so that it is parallel to the backglass. The display tube is supposed to be held flat by some sticky double-sided tape, but when that tape comes loose (and it will), the display tube pops up from the PCB and often rubs against the score window. This rubbing won't hurt these replacement color filters, but we recommend that you check for loose display tubes on all of your Gottlieb games, whether you are planning on purchasing our replacement filters or not - especially if not.
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The Solution
Now you can replace your fragile and deteriorating score window color filters with these precision-cut and color-matched adhesive filters. Once the old score window tint has been removed, the new filters are simply peeled off the backing material and applied to the rear of the backglass.
These replacement color filters come as a complete set not only for all of the score displays but for the credit/match and ball-in-play windows as well. We even provide enough filters for oddball games like Striker, which has two additional 4-digit displays. Printed installation instructions are also included.
We recommend that you replace all of the color filters rather than just the heavily damaged ones. Even an undamaged filter window will have some degree of fade and cloudiness and you would probably notice a color mismatch if you mixed these new color filters with the old original ones.
Purchasing Information
To purchase these replacement filter sets, choose your color and click on the "Add to Cart" button. Continue through check-out to complete your order. All Pinball Pal products include a 30-day money-back guarantee, so order with confidence.
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System
1 / System 80 Score NEW LOWER PRICE! Price: $9.95 per set |
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System
1 / System 80 Score NEW LOWER PRICE! Price: $9.95 per set |
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Refer to this table to check the color used by each System 1 and System 80 pinball machine.
Installation Instructions
Installation of these replacement filters is not complicated, but it requires a couple of delicate, irreversible operations which, if mishandled, could damage your backglass further. Before you begin, please read through these instructions to familiarize yourself with the steps involved. Only you can decide if you are willing to proceed, and we obviously have no way to control how this product is used, nor can we take responsibility for any damage that may occur. This concludes the CYA disclaimer.
Basically, you just scrape off the old tint and stick on the new ones. Here are some pointers:
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Do not let water or any liquids get anywhere near the ink side of your backglass. Ever. Most liquids (including water) will dissolve the tint color, but it is too risky for us to recommend using liquids on the backglass inks. It is too easy to unintentionally (and permanently) remove artwork that should not be touched.
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Use a new, sharp blade to remove the old tint. You can use a single-edge razor blade, or an X-Acto type knife with an appropriate blade. The common #11 blade does not position the cutting surface at a good angle for this operation, so you will have a much easier job using a chisel-type blade. The best tool we can recommend would be a #2 X-Acto handle with a #18 chisel blade. The #2 handle is larger and heavier and the #18 blade is just a half inch wide - a good size for the smaller credit/match windows. Hobby shops and the tool department of large hardware stores should have these, or there are many on-line sources for small tools (such as http://www.towerhobbies.com).
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Keep the work area clean. Any dirt that gets trapped in between the filters and the glass will be there forever. Try not to touch the adhesive side of the filters, especially if your fingers are dirty. The fingerprints typically won't show, but all of the dirt that gets pulled off your fingers will.
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To avoid light leakage, the replacement filters are slightly larger than the score windows, just as the original screening was done oversize. The new filters have a strong, permanent adhesive that will last for many years. Once the filter is attached to any of the surrounding backglass ink, you must not pull off the filter because the backglass ink will likely come off with it. Because the filters are slightly oversize, there is some latitude when you place them down, but once you start putting one down, there's no backing up. If this is too scary for you, there is a compromise: Just apply the filters to the front of the backglass. It won't look quite as good that way, but it is easier to do.
Here are step-by step installation instructions:
Verify that you have the correct filter set for your game. This includes checking the color (blue or green) and also checking the size. We have made every effort to insure that the filters are precisely cut to the proper size, and we have surveyed the backglass window size of many (but not all) of the 41 particular games that are supported. Plus there is always the possibility that there has been some differences across production runs, or other unknown variables lost in the game's history. These game were made about the year 10 B.C. (Before CAD), so all of the original artwork was done by hand. Because of this, every window is slightly different. So although all of the new filters are cut to the same size exactly, don't assume the backglass is the same To check the size, simply place the filter sheet against the front of the existing score windows with some sort of light source showing from behind (the score displays themselves might work fine). You just want to verify that the new filters are at least as high and wide as the existing filter window. If any of them are not, do not proceed with the installation and notify us immediately. We need your feedback so that we can make any fine adjustments, if necessary, for you as well as future users.
Removing old tint with X-Acto
chisel blade
Scrape away the old tint with fresh, sharp blades. Follow along the black key line that outlines the score window rectangle. Obviously, you want to work very slowly and carefully. One technique is to first scrape off the middle portion of the window with fairly quick strokes, but keeping well away from the edges. Then follow up with more careful strokes to clear away the old tint just up to the black outline. It also helps if you have a non-glaring light source on the other side of the glass, which will make the tinted part stand out more readily. The neater that you make the window, the better it will look up close. However, minor nicks in the black outline or small amounts of old tint around the edges will be just barely noticeable. If you do accidentally take off a chunk of the outline, you can touch up the line now or after the new filter has been installed. It may look a lot more ragged when your nose is up against the glass while you're scraping than it will once it's all back together and lit up normally.
Score window with old tint removed (rear view)
Scrape the old tint from the two smaller display windows. The Credit/Match window and Ball-in-Play windows are each two-digit displays which are each one half of a single four-digit display glass. There is a fairly fine line dividing the two halves of the display, so you should take additional care when removing the old tint from these smaller windows.
Credit/Match display windows after removal of old tint
Make sure that there is no trace of the old tint in the central part of the windows. That's where it matters most since it's the score display that is what will be showing through the window. If you're careful, you can use a swab or cotton ball very slightly moistened with glass cleaner or alcohol and clean just the central portion of the score windows. Do not get anything even moist near the edges of the score window.
Remove the old tint from all of the windows before you apply the new filters. Once all of the old tint has been removed, clean up the places that the fine dust has accumulated, such as your blades and handles, the bottom edge of the backbox frame, and (most of all) your fingers.
Applying a score window filter
Now you simply apply the adhesive filters to the back of each display window. If this is your first attempt, you should start with the Player 3 or Player 4 window. that way, you'll be an expert by the time you get to the most noticed window: Player 1. Carefully remove the new filter from the backing paper and position it close to the backglass window. Be sure not to slip and touch the adhesive to any areas of backglass ink or you may mess up not only your filter but your backglass. As you move the adhesive filter closer to the window, make sure that there is some overlap on all sides - top and bottom, left and right. As long as there is some overlap you are fine. From the back, it doesn't matter if the new filter is slightly cocked or off-center, as long as there are no open gaps along any sides. Just move slowly closer and closer until one side or the other makes contact. Then, you are committed. Gently run your finger horizontally across the center of the window. You want to work out any possible air bubbles, so start at the middle and gently work the filter down completely. You do not need to exert a lot of pressure. After the filter is completely down, wrap your finger in a lint-free cloth and again work the filter down, using a variety of strokes - circles, left/right, up and down. The filter is now a permanent part of the backglass.
New score window filter installed (rear view)
Repeat this process for all of the other score windows, including the smaller Credit/Match window. In this case, the filter will cover the fine line of artwork that divides the display in half. Since this artwork is already opaque, it makes no difference that the filter is behind it, and we have just saved you a little time by doing the two windows in one step.
New filter installed on small credit/match window
This completes the installation. Close everything up and fire up the game. If you had damaged any of the window outlines during the tint removal process, you may see some light leakage around the window, and possibly around the new tint window as well. If you find this objectionable, you may wish to touch up the back of the backglass with an opaque paint such as Testor's enamel hobby paint. Unless you are confident that you can do more good than harm by touching up the artwork, you are much better off leaving it as-is.
If your backglass hasn't yet been sealed, this would be an excellent time to do it. The most well-known sealer is Krylon's Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze, which is widely available. Coating the back of your backglass will help prevent further flaking of the backglass ink, and will serve to lock down any loose or hanging flakes that are still attached somewhere. To seal the backglass, you will have to remove it from the backbox frame (just unscrew the nylon wedges around the edges). Then the backglass should be laid face down in a dust-free space. There is no need to seal over the display windows, and it is better if you don't. The light from the display digits will be slightly distorted by the layer of Triple Thick - not seriously, but it is noticeable. The good thing is that now that you have these fresh, new filters installed, you don't have to worry about damaging them when you mask them off. You can use regular low-tack masking tape or you can cut heavy paper that is the same size as the windows and hold them in position over the windows with small weights such as coins. Remove the masking material as soon as you have finished spraying the sealer, wait for it to thoroughly dry and it's ready to go back in the machine.
New score window color
filters installed
We hope that you are pleased with the results of your work. This is hardly a "plug and play" kind of restoration task, so pat yourself on the back for taking it on. Along with the risk of really screwing things up, is the even greater satisfaction from a job well done. If you have pictures of any of your projects that have utilized Pinball Pal products, we would like to feature them on our Gallery Page. Just get in touch with us and let us know what you've got for the gallery.