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Have you been thinking about buying an air hockey table, but you are not sure how long they last? Maybe you want to know if they last long enough to make the purchase of one worth it. Well, in this article we will answer all of your questions and let you know exactly how long air hockey tables last.
So how long do air hockey tables last?
Depending upon how expensive of a table you purchase as well as how often the table is used and maintained will depend upon how long your table will last. On average an air hockey table will last 5-8 years.
If you want to know more about how long an air hockey table will last, you will want to keep reading this article. You can also watch this video to learn how exactly these high end air hockey tables are made.
If you have an air hockey table (or are planning on getting one) then you have to get this accessory set as well. It comes with extra pucks, paddles, and everything that you need to take your play to the next level. You can find it by clicking here.
If you have a game room (or want one) you have to check out this classic arcade game console that attaches directly to your TV.
This machine has classic arcade controls but hooks directly up to your big-screen TV so you can easily move it (even if you don’t have a dedicated game room).
Oh, and did I mention that it has 5,000 games built in that you can play anytime you like?!?!
Can An Air Hockey Table Last Longer Than The Average?
Although we know how long the average air hockey table today lasts, as owners, we can prolong the lifespan of any air hockey table, regardless of this type or make. We can extend the life of the table by up to four years simply by how we take care of it. Thankfully, there are many ways to do this and this article will delve into the different steps you can take to maintain and prolong your air hockey table’s lifespan.
How To Extend The Lifespan of Your Air Hockey Table
There are many steps that you can implement into the maintenance of your air hockey table to ensure that you get the best use out of it. Merely cleaning your table at least once a week is able to prolong its durability drastically. Here are a few other tips that you should know.
- Keep all playing surfaces clean.
This is a natural step that you should do once every week. Other air hockey table manufacturers also recommend that you clean the surfaces once before or after a game, but never both. Cleaning it regularly or on a schedule ensures that you do not overclean or insufficiently clean the tables. Both will quickly lead to more damage to your air hockey table.
When choosing the best cleaning solution to use, we advise that you avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia and these can erase the markings on your air hockey table and mar its surface. Instead, we recommend that you use a cleaner that was manufactured specifically for this particular use. If you don’t have these, then you can opt to use alcohol or non-ammonia cleaners. Gently wipe the surfaces and the sides of your table with soft cotton or microfiber cloth.
- Clean the fans and its filter.
Cleaning the fans or air blowers, in addition to its filters, should not be a forgotten step. As you guess, the air blower blows the air through the holes in the surface of the table and creates a pocket of the air for which the puck glides on. It is essential for the playing of the game and, as such, should be cleaned regularly. You can remove the debris and dirt build-up with the fans and filters using compressed air. Then gently clean them using the soft cotton or microfiber cloths. Using these will ensure that lint does not enter the fans, causing it to be clogged up again.
- Do not forget to clean the air holes.
Similar to the fans and its filters, the air holes, located on the surface of the table, are essential for the playing of the game and can be easily clogged. This is why you will want to make sure that you clean the air holes routinely. This should be a part of your maintenance process. To do this, first, you have to turn on the air blowers or fans. Then, will a toothpick or 1/32″ drill, you clean out the gunk and debris out of the air holes. After you do this, you can either vacuum the surface or wipe off the surface with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth.
- Repair all dents on the surface of the table
This step may be a little tricky, but it can be done. With the use of epoxy resin, you should laminate all the dents within the surface of the air hockey table. As we all know, dents can make it harder for the puck and the striker to glide over the surface hence making gameplay frustrating. After you have applied the epoxy resin and it has dried, you will then use sandpaper to buff down the surface for a smooth finish. If any of the air holes are covered with the resin, simply re-drill the holes to unplug them.
- No drinks or food around the table
This rule is usually not adhered to since when we are having fun, it is forgotten. Bringing food and drinks out around the table is a sticky and messy disaster waiting to happen. This is why it is recommended that you do not bring food or drinks around the air hockey table, especially when it is in use.
- Maintain the lifespan of your puck
Unfortunately, not many air hockey table owners are well-informed or think about the maintenance of the pucks. The pucks play a crucial role and it supports the competitiveness of the game. Here are a few issues and their solutions:
- If your puck is not floating well or not at all, there is only one solution that you can use, replace it.
- If your puck is bent or malformed, then similar to the previously mentioned problem, you have to replace it.
- If your puck has dents and nicks, due to the constant force of hitting it with the striker and on the walls, you can use this simple solution. You can sand it down with sandpaper (150 grit), which smoothes out the puck’s surfaces.
- Maintain the lifespan of your strikers
The strikers do not have such an essential role as the puck, so when they are bent a little, you can continue playing with it. On the other hand, if it is entirely bent, then you have to replace it. For dents and nicks, like the pucks, you can simply sand it down with the 150 grit sandpaper until it is completely smooth.
- Maintain the surface of the air hockey table.
For this area, a right eye is needed to detect or pick up any problems. We have already explored cleaning the entire system, especially the surfaces. However, it is important to note that you should never use too much wax or silicone cleaners on the surface as it will make playing the game unbearable.
Conclusion
To make sure we get the best use out of our air hockey table, we have to make sure that we maintain its lifespan. As we now know, the air hockey table can last us from 1 to 7 years or even longer. This can vary due to a range of aspects.
What we owners can control is its maintenance, and as such, it should be our top priority. Whether it be the pucks, playing surfaces, or strikers, there are many tips and tricks that you can implement to preserve our equipment’s lifespan. Cleaning it routinely using the best cleaning agents, unclogging the air holes, air blowers and filters are just the tips of the iceberg. Additionally, you can remove the dents from the surfaces, pucks, and strikers using resin and sandpaper. Making sure that we take proper care of the air hockey table will ensure that it lasts for many generations to come.