What's new
By:
Pinball info

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Lube my rod

PAX

PAX

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 28, 2020
Messages
991
Location
Thetford
Wondering what you good people use or recommend for lubricating the ball plunger and how often?
Also any other items that may need a bit of lube applying to and also general minor maintenance tips. Playfield cleaning frequency etc?
Cheers
 
In the factory, we use a small puff of powdered graphite. If you use any type of oil it will attract dust and become a sticky mess causing more problems than it cures.

Almost all mechanisms in pinball machines do not require any oiling at all and are designed to operate dry.

Yes, there are some exceptions, very few and these are clearly documented in the manual for those games.

By all means clean your playfield and the balls. We use a furniture polish but many opt for Novus polish. Also, replace the balls regularly to minimise any playfield damage.
 
Homepin said:
In the factory, we use a small puff of powdered graphite. If you use any type of oil it will attract dust and become a sticky mess causing more problems than it cures.

Almost all mechanisms in pinball machines do not require any oiling at all and are designed to operate dry.

Yes, there are some exceptions, very few and these are clearly documented in the manual for those games.

By all means clean your playfield and the balls. We use a furniture polish but many opt for Novus polish. Also, replace the balls regularly to minimise any playfield damage.
Click to expand...
What would be your opinion of regularly for balls?
Cheers
 
I replace mine atleast yearly but check them monthly. I use graphite dust for lubrication where needed also. But the plunger is not one of those areas. If it feels like it’s not smooth then check for straightness and some games have a coil sleeve that can wear down for the plunger
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: PAX
You could try a teflon spray as an alternative. The solvent flashes off and leaves a thin teflon coating.

I used to recommend it to prevent cold welding of stainless steel fasteners when petroleum based lubricants couldn't be used. (Specifically for the roof of the Millenium Dome[emoji846])

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
 
I’ve had some really sticky plungers and Teflon spray (for bike chains) does a stunning job, works really well with no issues later down the line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Most pinball machines need no lubrication whatsoever.

I occasionally lubricate spinner shafts with Teflon spray and that is about it.

The standard pinball combination of coil, sleeve and plunger is designed to be self lubricating. As the liner slowly wears away, it lubricates the arrangement.

Massive damage is caused when folk wrongly lubricate machines. Oil attracts dirt and you end up with a right mess.

Just cleaning moving parts can make a huge difference. Solvol autosol to remove tarnish. IPA to remove ingrained dirt and oil
 
Have to admit my plunger would stick and grab at times making the skill shot nigh on impossible to play, so i just took it apart and used autosol metal polish on it ...never had a single issue since ;-)
 
Looks like a type of grease which has no place on a shooter rod[emoji846] Despite my earlier suggestion, clean and polish is the first step.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
 
I use 3 n 1 oil on certain parts such as Tron Spinning disc.
It has got rid of the motor noise.
For Stern plunger housings, there is a bronze bushing for the metal rod so a light coating of oil is useful - metal on metal.
I don’t use lube for nylon sleeve / Bally housing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom