When you want to kill boredom or share the fun as a family, a game of air hockey is one indoor sport to consider.
However, only an air hockey table with a smooth surface and unclogged holes delivers premium entertainment.
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Your carefulness when handling the table and the traffic it encounters determines how fast its quality deteriorates. The main question that lingers in the mind of many people is; can you resurface an air hockey table?
Hence, Can you Resurface An Air Hockey Table?
Although it seems possible to resurface an air hockey table, there are technicalities and factors to consider. For instance, pulling off and replacing the laminate is a demanding task.
Also, you might damage the board and eventually replace the entire tabletop. Besides, think of how tiring it can be to bore holes in the entire table surface in a particular pattern.
On the other hand, addressing a few dents or subsections of the table is easier than the entire surface.
So, What Makes it Impractical to Resurface An Entire Air Hockey Tabletop?
Cost Factor
The resurface cost depends on the vastness of the tabletop. Repairing a part of the surface may cost just a few dollars.
However, you’ll spend a substantial amount of money when there are several defects spread out on a considerable area of the laminate. In such a case investing in a new air hockey tabletop seems a wiser decision.
Time and Expertise in Drilling the Holes
Let’s say you have acquired a laminate board that fits your air hockey table. For example, the regulation size has a dimension of 84 inches long and 48 inches wide.
Think of how much time it requires to drill tiny holes spaced an inch square apart on the 84 by 48 inches surface. Further, take into account that you have to space out the holes evenly.
Very few people possess the degree of patience and keenness that the task demands. Moreover, the work requires specially designed tools and equipment to deliver an excellent result.
Tips For Renovating Air Hockey Table
If you have a smaller air hockey table or need to resurface only a subsection of the table, it’s worth the time.
You can register the best results by implementing the following tips;
Dents
Address dents on the equipment as soon as they appear, lest they enlarge. Using a clear epoxy, level up the depressions and cavities.
Then give it time to settle, bond with the surroundings, and dry up. After drying, use fine sandpaper to smoothen it.
Do not apply excessive pressure. Check for the holes clogged with the epoxy and redrill or poke them using a toothpick. Though it’s time-consuming, unclogging the holes is vital.
Cracks on a Plastic Surface
Some air hockey surfaces use laminated plastic sheets to deliver a slick surface that’s puck friendly. Tiny cracks on plastic laminates are easy to repair by melting the edges to liquefy and seal the crack.
If the gap is of significant width (some millimeters wide), consider inserting a piece of plastic in the crack. Then using a soldering gun, apply heat to melt the plastic and fill up the space.
Alternatively, you can use plastic glue or super glue to fill and level tiny cracks. Then give it time to form a strong bond.
But regardless of the method you use, smoothen the surface once it dries.
Food and Drinks Spillage
Some people like to keep soft drinks close by during air hockey games. Therefore, it’s possible to suffer food or drink spillage on the air hockey table.
When that happens, one of the immediate tempting responses is cutting off power from the table. But it isn’t a wise move.
Instead, let the motor continue to run and thus force out air through the perforations. At the same time, take an absorbent cloth and carefully wipe off the liquid from the surface.
Continue doing so till it’s clear. You can use rubbing alcohol to finalize the cleaning. The air rushing out through the holes prevents the liquid from causing clogging.
Warped Wooden Top
Some manufacturers make air hockey tops from wood. However, wooden air hockey tops tend to warp due to moisture exposure or poor wood seasoning.
Whatever the reason, it isn’t wise to resurface warped surfaces. Instead, discard such a warped board and purchase a new air hockey table top.
FAQs
How Do You Make an Air Hockey Table Smooth?
Ensure the table surface is clean, the holes unclogged, and the fan running smoothly. Also, clean the paddle and puck too. If necessary, apply air hockey table wax but don’t clog the holes.
How Long Do Air Hockey Tables Last?
The durability of an air hockey table depends on the frequency of use, the sturdiness of the material, and how well you care for it. But generally, it can last about 5 to 8 years.
Can You Sand An Air Hockey Table Surface?
During regular air hockey maintenance, don’t sand the air hockey surface. However, when repairing cracks and dents you may need to use fine sandpaper. Further, it’s normal to sand mallets and pucks too.
Conclusion
Theoretically, it’s possible to resurface an air hockey table. But in reality, resurfacing a complete air hockey top isn’t possible. The cost implication, time spent, energy required, and expertise of drilling the holes are demanding.
However, you can resurface part of the air hockey table. Repairing cracks, dents, and spillage on the top surface is worth the effort. Lastly, subscribe to regular maintenance practices for your air hockey table.
