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Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?

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Offline crazy8

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Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
« on: July 18, 2011, 03:33:10 PM »
Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
It has lifted up along the back walls - re-heating and clamping the surface did not permanently work.  Since the top of the surface is good, I'm considering removing the surface, cleaning and reinstalling it.  However - I've never done this.

Do anyone have any first-hand experiences they'd like to share?   

Thanks - Paul

Re: Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2011, 01:32:20 AM »
Is this for a coin-op table, or a home model?

Removing the surface is very difficult on a coin-op...not only is it screwed down and bolted in place, but the laminate surface is also glued down.  I've never seen the laminate on the playing surface not chip when removing and replacing with a new playing surface.  Once chipped I would think it would be difficult to glue back down into place.

You might be able to heat up the edges of the table to loosen the glue and then s-l-o-w-l-y try to push the playing surface away from the top half of the table...never done it before, but I guess that could work (no guarantees though).

Offline crazy8

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Re: Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2011, 09:04:40 AM »
Yeah - know what you mean.  Right now, at least I can still practice.  Once I tear it apart, I either need to successfully complete the job or buy a new table.  That's why I've been asking around for advice.  I still don't know what I'll do - it's not the best time to get a replacement table, and it would be such a shame to put this one to pasture.  Maybe I'll get a replacement surface - it must come already attached to the fiberboard.  Looking at the bottom of my Cyclone II it seems the surface is resting on something like 1x1 boards - plus the strips on top.  Doesn't look too difficult.

Paul

Re: Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2011, 10:59:34 AM »
Yes the laminate play surface is glued to the MDF.

I've never replaced the Cyclone II play surface, but I bet once you take off the 1x1 boards, which are probably screwed, stapled and glued down...then the hard part is dealing with the play surface which is probably caulked/glued to the bottom of the MDF table.  You might be able to put the table on it's side and then have someone heat the top of the table surface and then gently push the table surface away from the table...there will probably need to be another person on the other side of the table to "catch" the table surface should it come loose...more than likely though you'll get "chipping" of the laminate in the corners of the play surface though...and if the laminate is already coming up, then I'm sure it will crack/chip there...not trying to talk you out of this "fun" project, just wanted you to be aware of what you were up against.

Let us know what you decided and how the project comes out, so that others may learn from your experience.

Offline crazy8

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Re: Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2011, 11:47:08 AM »
Will do.  Jim and I have been trading emails about doing a complete playing surface replacement.  Apparently that's not so common, either.  He says they've sold very few of these.

Paul

Offline bbtuna

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Re: Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2011, 04:40:28 PM »
as expensive as a new surface is, why not put that money toward a new used table...never said what kind of table it is?  coin op?

Re: Any advice of re-installing Tornado playing surface?
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2011, 07:38:46 AM »
I have a similar issue.  My Cyclone II has been in storage for the past year and a half (non-air conditioned).  I recently got it set back up, but noticed that the playing surface is bowing up in front of both goals.  Pressing it down and holding it seemed to fix one side (at least for now).  The other side will stay down for a few seconds but then come back up.

I haven't tried heating it first before pressing it down.  What do you suggest heating it with?  Don't want to damage the playing surface by using something too hot.

If that doesn't work, can I try adding more glue underneath those areas?  What kind of glue is used for this?