Thinking of buying a used pinball machine for sale? Or maybe you already own one and want to bring it back to life?
Before you dive in, there’s something every pinball owner should know: how to properly “shop” a machine.
At House of Pinball, we don’t just sell games—we service, restore, and teach our customers how to maintain their machines for long-term fun and performance. This guide (with step-by-step videos) will walk you through a full pinball machine shop job: what it means, why it matters, and how to do it.
🎥 What Is a “Shop Job” in Pinball?
A shop job is the process of deep-cleaning, restoring, and replacing worn parts on a pinball machine. It’s more than just wiping down the playfield—it’s a full teardown and rebuild that keeps your game looking and playing like new.
🔧 Why It Matters—Even Before You Buy
If you’re browsing pinball machines for sale, knowing how to perform (or spot) a quality shop job helps you:
- Avoid machines that look good but play poorly
- Identify real value in refurbished models
- Understand what goes into long-term care and maintenance
- Save money by doing the basics yourself
🧰 Tools & Supplies You’ll Need
Before you begin, grab the essentials:
- Soft microfiber cloths
- Novus 1 & 2 cleaners (for plastics and playfield)
- Isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher)
- Nut drivers and screwdrivers
- Flipper rebuild kits (if needed)
- New rubbers, bulbs, or LEDs
- Magic Eraser (for stubborn grime—use carefully!)
- A smartphone or tripod—for following our video steps!
🎯 Step-by-Step Shop Job (with Video Guide)
Each of these steps is demonstrated in our video series. Watch alongside your machine or use this as your checklist.
✅ Step 1: Power Down & Remove the Glass
Always unplug the machine first. Carefully remove the lockdown bar, then lift and slide the playfield glass into a safe space.
Pro Tip: Never rest glass on concrete—it can shatter from temperature shock.
✅ Step 2: Remove the Balls, Rubbers & Plastics
Take out pinballs first to prevent damage. Then remove all worn rubber rings, slingshot rubbers, and plastics using a nut driver.
Inspect parts as you remove them—this helps you decide what to replace.
✅ Step 3: Clean the Playfield
Start with Novus 1 for light grime. For deeper buildup, use Novus 2 and finish with a coat of Carnuba wax if your machine has a wood playfield.
Avoid alcohol or Magic Eraser on newer clear-coated fields unless you’re experienced.
✅ Step 4: Replace Bulbs or Convert to LEDs
Replace any dead or weak bulbs. Or go further—upgrade to LEDs for:
- Brighter lighting
- Lower heat
- Better energy efficiency
🎯 We sell LED conversion kits for popular machines—browse here.
✅ Step 5: Re-Rubber the Machine
Use a rubber kit matched to your specific machine model. New rubbers dramatically improve gameplay feel and responsiveness.
🎯 Tip: Clear rubbers are softer and faster; black ones are durable and slightly slower.
✅ Step 6: Inspect & Clean Mechs
- Check flippers, pop bumpers, and slingshot assemblies
- Clean coil sleeves and test movement
- If flippers feel weak, consider a rebuild kit (easy to install with our guide)
✅ Step 7: Clean Cabinet & Backglass
Use a dry cloth or lightly damp one for cabinets. For backglass, avoid strong chemicals—especially with older silk-screened art.
🎯 Bonus Step: Use a vacuum or blower to remove dust inside the cabinet and coin door.
✅ Step 8: Reassemble & Test Gameplay
Once everything is cleaned and replaced:
- Return plastics and screws
- Replace balls
- Run a full test game
Check for any issues, including sound, lights, flipper power, and mode progression.
🛒 Ready to Buy? Know What a Shopped Machine Should Look Like
If a seller says a machine has been “shopped,” here’s what you should expect:
| Shopped Feature | What You Should See |
|---|---|
| Clean playfield | No dirt, haze, or ball trails |
| New rubbers | Bouncy, uniform tension |
| Fresh balls | No rust or pitting |
| Working lights | No flickering or dark spots |
| Responsive flippers | Strong and snappy |
| Clean cabinet | Dust-free inside and out |
At House of Pinball, every used pinball machine for sale is professionally shopped or fully restored before it hits the showroom.
🏆 Why Trust House of Pinball?
We combine technical expertise with a genuine love for the game. Whether you’re buying or maintaining, we offer:
✔️ Transparent Listings
- Condition reports
- Shopped vs. fully restored notes
- Real gameplay videos
✔️ Free Maintenance Guides
- Like this one
- Plus bonus videos, checklists, and tech support after purchase
✔️ Expert Recommendations
Need help choosing the right model for your space or skill level? We’ve got you covered.