Pinball Machine Maintenance: What Every New Owner Should Know

Buying your first pinball machine is exciting. You finally have your own game room, your favourite machine is sitting there ready to play, and you can start enjoying it whenever you want.

But owning a pinball machine also means looking after it.

The good news is that you don't need to become an expert technician or spend every weekend taking your machine apart. Most routine maintenance comes down to a few simple habits: keeping the playfield clean, checking the pinballs, watching for worn parts and knowing which jobs are best left to a professional.

Whether you've just bought a brand-new Stern or brought home a classic Williams or Bally machine, here's what every new owner should know.

1. Keep the Pinballs Clean and in Good Condition

If there's one maintenance habit every owner should take seriously, it's checking the balls.

Pinballs travel across the playfield at high speed, repeatedly hitting ramps, plastics, posts and other components. A ball that is dirty, scratched, rusty or pitted can gradually damage the playfield finish and other surfaces.

Inspect your balls periodically, particularly when cleaning the machine. Wipe them with a clean, soft cloth and look closely for rough patches, corrosion or deep scratches.

If a ball is damaged, replace it. A new set of balls is a relatively inexpensive way to help protect a much more valuable machine.

Don't assume that balls supplied with a used machine are still in good condition, either. They may look acceptable at first glance but have accumulated years of wear.

2. Clean the Playfield Properly

Dust, rubber residue and dirt gradually accumulate around the flippers, slingshots, bumpers, ramps and ball paths. Regular cleaning helps keep the game looking good and makes it easier to spot developing problems.

Before starting, switch off the machine and follow the manufacturer's instructions for removing the playfield glass. Use a clean microfibre cloth to remove loose dust and a cleaner specifically suitable for your playfield's finish.

A few rules are particularly important:

• Apply cleaning products to the cloth, not directly onto the playfield.

• Avoid abrasive pads, aggressive household cleaners and unapproved solvents.

• Keep liquids away from switches, sensors, lights, connectors and other electronics.

• Never assume that a product safe for glass or metal is also safe for playfield artwork, plastics or protective coatings.

Waxing may be appropriate for some playfields, but it isn't a universal requirement. The correct approach depends on the machine, the condition of its finish and the manufacturer's recommendations. Don't automatically wax every surface, especially plastics or areas covered by protective film.

For a deeper clean involving ramps and playfield plastics, take photographs before removing anything and work methodically. If you're not confident about disassembly, ask an experienced technician.

3. Don't Forget the Playfield Glass

Glass cleaning is one of the simplest jobs, but it makes a noticeable difference to the playing experience.

Dust, fingerprints and smudges can build up on both sides of the glass. Remove it according to the manual, clean it with a suitable glass cleaner and dry it thoroughly before reinstalling it.

Never spray cleaner over an assembled machine where liquid could run through the glass edges and onto electronics or the playfield.

It's a small job, but a clean piece of glass makes the artwork, lighting and animations look considerably better.

4. Check the Rubbers, Flippers and Moving Parts

Rubber rings and flipper rubbers wear with use. Over time, they can become dirty, hardened, cracked or less elastic.

Inspect them whenever you clean the playfield. Damaged rubbers should be replaced with the correct parts for your machine.

Flippers deserve particular attention because they are essential to both performance and safety. Weak shots, slow returns, unusual noises or excessive movement can indicate worn components or an adjustment problem.

Don't try to solve every issue by tightening random screws or adjusting switches. Modern pinball machines contain complex mechanical and electronic systems, and incorrect adjustments can create additional problems.

If a flipper starts behaving differently, investigate the issue before it becomes worse. When you're unsure, consult the manual or a qualified pinball technician.

5. Pay Attention to Batteries and Electronics

Older solid-state machines may use batteries on the circuit boards to preserve settings and other information. If these batteries leak, they can cause serious damage.

Check the manual to determine whether your machine has this type of battery arrangement and what maintenance it requires. Never assume that all machines use the same system or replacement schedule.

Newer machines may use different arrangements, so follow the instructions for your particular model rather than applying advice intended for an older game.

It's also worth keeping the machine connected to a properly grounded electrical outlet and ensuring the surrounding area stays dry and well ventilated.

Never work on live electrical components. Unplugging a machine does not make every internal component automatically safe to touch. If you don't have the appropriate training, leave electrical repairs to a qualified professional.

6. Keep the Machine Level and Check Its Position

A pinball machine's position affects how the ball travels and how the game feels.

Check that the cabinet is stable and that the machine is level from side to side. The playfield pitch—the slope from the flippers towards the back—should follow the manufacturer's specification.

Don't simply adjust the legs because you want a faster or easier game. Changing the pitch can affect gameplay, and some machines require the tilt mechanism to be checked after adjustments.

If you've recently moved the machine, inspect its position before playing. Make sure the legs are secure and the cabinet is stable.

7. How Often Should You Perform Maintenance?

There is no single schedule that works for every pinball machine. A game played occasionally at home experiences very different wear from one used in a busy public location.

As a practical starting point, inspect the machine regularly and perform a more thorough cleaning according to its condition, usage and manual. Some manufacturers and specialist retailers use intervals based on approximately 500 games, while others provide different recommendations.

Rather than relying exclusively on the calendar, pay attention to what the machine tells you.

Task	What to look for
Pinballs	Dirt, rust, scratches or pitting
Playfield	Dust, rubber residue and visible wear
Rubbers	Cracks, hardening or loss of elasticity
Flippers	Weakness, slow returns or unusual movement
Cabinet and legs	Instability, loose fittings or damage
Electronics	Warning messages, unexpected behaviour or battery concerns

Keep the machine's manual somewhere accessible. Recording maintenance dates and approximate game counts can also help you identify recurring issues and plan replacement parts.

8. Know When to Call a Professional

One of the biggest mistakes new owners make is assuming that every problem should be fixed immediately by themselves.

Cleaning the glass, inspecting balls and checking visible wear are straightforward tasks. Rebuilding flippers, diagnosing circuit boards, repairing power supplies and adjusting complicated mechanisms are different matters.

If you see burning smells, damaged wiring, repeated blown fuses or signs of electrical failure, stop using the machine and seek professional help.

A good technician can also perform a more thorough inspection when you buy a used machine, helping you establish its condition and identify maintenance that may have been neglected.

9. Make the Machine Your Own—Without Neglecting Its Care

Maintenance is about preserving the machine, but owning a pinball machine is also about enjoying it.

Once you've established a sensible maintenance routine, you can explore ways to personalise its appearance. Our guide, Pinball Mods: Everything You Need to Know About Customising Your Pinball Machine, explains the different types of upgrades available.

For example, WizBlades extend the artwork onto the inside cabinet walls and help protect those surfaces against scuffs. You can also explore the full pinball mods collection to find designs for your machine.

If you're new to customisation, our guide Your First Pinball Mod: Where Should You Start? offers a useful starting point.

Just remember that decorative upgrades are no substitute for mechanical maintenance. Keep the machine clean, address wear when it appears and install any modification according to its instructions.

Final Thoughts

You don't need to be a pinball repair expert to become a good owner.

Start with clean balls, a clean playfield, regular visual inspections and the correct maintenance instructions for your machine. Avoid unsuitable cleaning products, don't ignore changes in performance and recognise when a job requires professional help.

Most importantly, don't let maintenance become a reason to stop enjoying your game. A little attention at sensible intervals can help keep your machine looking great and playing properly for years to come.

Now go play a few games. That's what you bought it for.