Full Width Backboard Galaxy Plastic Install Instructions
Here are the installation instructions for the Full Width Backboard Galaxy Plastic.
Installation Addendum Oct 2025
Please note: The latest version of the backboard plastic (Oct 2025 and newer) is much thicker than prior versions. LE/CE models will require drilling of the holes for the capacitors most likely. We can not test this as ours is already drilled. But the plastic does not bend as much as the original version. A template is provided below in the drilling instructions. SE versions do not have this issue and maybe it is only a problem if you are also installing the lighting in LE/CE games. An addendum video is provided below for help on this new version.
Installation Instructions
There are a few variations on this install. Read them and decide what works best for your situation. The front of the plastic is coated with a clear matte protective layer that is meant to disperse light to keep them from reflecting glare.
1. For all games simply unscrew the four screws in the front of the Starmap plastic. There may be plastic spacers (I think all games have them) so be careful or they will fall when you take the screws out. Especially if you have an actual starmap (LE/CE) there are two spacers per screw (front and back of starmap PCB) so make sure you grab those so they don't fall. They typically stick to the PCB by they aren't held on by anything.
2. Do whatever you want with that old plastic and those spacers. Wall art?
3. LE/CE Models Only (SE models skip this step) - Securing the Starmap PCB
Now you have a starmap PCB hanging there. In essence it is going to just stay in that same place, we just need it mounted closer to the backboard. The PCB will not sit flat without further modification (see next paragraph). The two little capacitors on the left side will keep it spaced out from the backboard.
You will need to drill some holes in the backboard where the capacitors are. To this end we have a template you can print out to use to mark the holes with drill bit sizes. In essence you are just making holes for the capacitors to sit in. You can drill from the front or back, depending on your drill size and if you want to remove the chest. Use a vacuum to catch the wood chips while you're drilling (get a helper!). This will not be noticable at all, even if you go back to the regular starmap, so don't worry too much. Use a black paint pen to color the holes for a real finished look. See below for the template and video.
4. Installing the plastic (everyone)
It's just time to install the new plastic. Watch the video below to see the best way to angle it in. Basically you want to slip it behind the target ship (left ship) and then slide it down behind the Black Pearl. There is a slot that has to go around the BP actuating shaft. The plastic needs to be bent slightly to deform around the shaft. Bow it out a bit towards the front of the machine so it has enough gap. Make sure the "tabs" of the plastic (where the slots are cut out) go in front of the backboard and behind the BP.
The plastic is held in place with friction. It sits behind a few pieces of the game which hold it in place, most notably the Black Pearl VUK (the large metal piece in the far back right corner of the game). No other attachment is needed.
Installing The Optional Lighting
Drilling Instructions
You need to drill two small holes. Watch the video and download the template.
**Note you can use as small as a 9/32" drill bit which has been updated on the new template.