CLIP-Sets

Why Original Playfield Plastics Often Break

Nearly every modern and classic pinball machine has numerous decorative plastic parts on the playfield. These so-called “plastics” serve as covers, guides, design elements, or mounts and are often located above lamps, ball guides, or playfield components. Although they appear relatively lightweight, they are subjected to considerable stress during every game.

The impact of the steel ball, vibrations from the coils, and the constant movement of the playfield create material stresses over the years. The areas around screws and spacers are particularly critical. Fine hairline cracks often form there, which can grow larger with each subsequent game until the plastic eventually breaks completely.

Many original plastics are sold exclusively as complete sets by their respective manufacturers. If only a single plastic is damaged, the entire set often still has to be replaced. This results in unnecessarily high costs, even though often only a small area is affected.

This is exactly where our Plastic Reinforcement Sets come in. The additional plastic plates are mounted beneath the existing original plastics and distribute the forces acting on them over a larger area. This significantly reduces the stress on the delicate original parts and substantially lowers the risk of future breaks.

🔧 Workshop Tip:

Be sure to regularly check the screw holes in your playing field plastics for fine stress cracks. If reinforcements are installed early on, many future breaks can be completely prevented.

Greater stability combined with a striking color effect

Our reinforcement plastics serve two purposes. First, they significantly increase the stability of the original plastic parts. Second, thanks to the fluorescent acrylic material used, they visibly enhance the appearance of the playing field.

The transparently colored reinforcement plates are installed beneath the original plastic parts and remain virtually invisible from above. At the same time, the fluorescent edges create an intense color effect that stands out particularly well under the pinball machine’s lighting. This results in a modern look without altering the original artwork or the manufacturer’s design.

Since the reinforcement plates are precisely tailored to the contours of the respective original plastics, the original appearance is fully preserved. Rather than replacing the design, it is subtly enhanced while being permanently stabilized.

This combination of mechanical protection and visual enhancement makes our Reinforcement Sets a popular solution for collectors, home players, and operators alike.

🔧 Workshop Tip:

Fluorescent colors appear particularly vivid when combined with modern LED lights or UV lighting, effectively highlighting the edges of the reinforcement plates.

Precisely Fitted Reinforcement Plastics for Numerous Pinball Machines

Every pinball machine has a uniquely designed playfield with differently shaped plastic parts. The positions of screws, spacers, cutouts, and lamps vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and pinball model. That’s why our Plastic Reinforcement Sets for Pinball Machines are not manufactured as universal reinforcement plates, but are precisely tailored to the respective original plastics.

Each reinforcement plate follows the contours of the original plastic part and accounts for all mounting points and cutouts. This allows the reinforcement part to be easily installed beneath the existing plastic without requiring any modifications to the playfield or the original part. The reinforcement works virtually invisibly in the background and absorbs a large portion of the stresses encountered.

Thanks to the precise fit, the original artwork remains fully visible. At the same time, the fluorescent edges create a high-quality depth effect that visually enhances the entire playfield. The result doesn’t look like a foreign object, but rather like a factory-installed upgrade to the pinball machine.

Our reinforcement sets are developed for numerous pinball models and are continuously being expanded. Before purchasing, however, you should always verify that the manufacturer, pinball title, and—if applicable—the model variant (e.g., Pro, Premium, or Limited Edition) match the reinforcement set being offered.

🔧 Workshop Tip:

Always compare the product images with the plastics on your pinball machine before ordering. Even small differences between model variants can affect the fit.

Easy installation without modifying the original

A major advantage of our Plastic Reinforcement Sets is that they are installed underneath the original playfield plastics. The original plastic part remains completely intact and is simply stabilized by the additional reinforcement plate. No drilling is required, nor do original components need to be modified.

To install, first carefully remove the corresponding plastic piece. Then position the fluorescent reinforcement plate exactly underneath it and screw it back in place together with the original part. This sandwich construction creates a significantly sturdier unit that distributes the forces much more effectively.

Since the reinforcement plate distributes the load over a larger area, it relieves stress particularly on the sensitive areas around the screw holes. This is precisely where the first stress cracks appear in many original plastic parts. At the same time, the original design remains fully visible and is merely visually accentuated by the fluorescent edges.

After installation, it is recommended to tighten all screws only to the required torque. Over-tightened screws can create unnecessary stress even in reinforced plastic parts and lead to material damage over time.

🔧 Workshop Tip:

Never overtighten plastic parts. The screws should hold the plastic securely but must not cause stress in the material.

A cost-effective alternative to the complete original plastic set

Many manufacturers offer playing field plastics exclusively as complete sets. If only a single plastic is damaged or particularly at risk, the entire set often still has to be replaced. This results in unnecessarily high costs, even though the majority of the existing plastics are still in perfect condition.

Our Reinforcement Sets take a different approach. Instead of completely replacing the original plastic, it is specifically reinforced. This preserves the original part, allowing it to continue to be used. At the same time, the risk of future damage is significantly reduced.

This is a decisive advantage, especially for rare or limited-edition pinball machines. Many original plastics are difficult to obtain or become completely unavailable after a few years. Reinforcing them early on helps preserve the existing original parts in the long term and avoid expensive replacements whenever possible.

In addition to the financial benefit, owners also enjoy a visible aesthetic upgrade. The fluorescent reinforcement plates give the playfield more depth, richer colors, and a modern look without altering the pinball machine’s characteristic design.

🔧 Workshop Tip:

Reinforce original plastic parts that are subject to particularly heavy wear as early as possible. Preventive protection is significantly more cost-effective than having to search for rare or no-longer-available replacement parts later on.

Greater Stability, Brighter Colors, and Long-Term Value Retention

With a Plastic Reinforcement Set for Pinball Machines, you’re not only investing in the protection of individual plastic parts but also in the long-term value retention of your entire pinball machine. Reinforced original plastic parts remain intact longer, while the fluorescent colors simultaneously enhance the playfield’s appearance and create a modern, high-quality overall impression.

Collectors and owners of high-quality machines, in particular, place great importance on preserving as many original parts as possible. Thanks to the additional reinforcement, delicate plastic parts can be protected for many years without sacrificing the original appearance. At the same time, home players and operators benefit from greater operational reliability and reduced maintenance requirements.

At PU-parts, you’ll find precisely fitting Pinball Plastic Reinforcement Sets for numerous pinball machines. Our high-quality fluorescent reinforcement plates combine reliable protection, easy installation, and a striking visual upgrade—the ideal solution for permanently protecting delicate original plastics while giving your pinball machine a unique look.

Frequently Asked Questions About CLiP-Sets for Pinball Machines