# The X Files Pinball Project: Finale **Source:** Cary Hardy **Type:** video **Published:** 2018-08-16 **Duration:** 4m 45s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2aEKykm7Z4 --- ## Analysis Cary Hardy showcases the final restoration and modification of an X-Files pinball machine for a local business client. The project focuses on selective upgrades within budget constraints, primarily LED enhancements including a green illuminated X playfield feature, color-changing flippers with purple glow, glow-in-the-dark rubber rings, and accent LED strips behind playfield toys. The video emphasizes visual before-and-after comparisons of the lighting improvements. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] Glow-in-the-dark rubber rings for pinball machines are only available through Titan Pinball — _Cary Hardy states 'These blow-in-the-dark rubber rings are only available through Titan Pinball' and recommends mentioning his name for ordering._ - [HIGH] The LED X playfield feature was originally designed as multi-colored but was changed to solid green for aesthetic reasons — _Hardy explains: 'the person that runs this kit wanted it to be a multi-colored changing X on the playfield and once I saw that I was like no we're not doing that it's it's got to be green'_ - [HIGH] LED flippers with UV strips provide significantly improved illumination compared to standard flipper lighting — _Hardy demonstrates visual difference multiple times, stating 'there's the UV strips that gives those flippers the ability to glow as much as they are'_ ### Notable Quotes > "it's got to be green and that in my opinion it's got to be green if I see like a multi-colored X on there It's just not going to look as good" > — **Cary Hardy**, early in video > _Design decision rationale for LED X feature; demonstrates Hardy's aesthetic judgment on color choices for mods_ > "These blow-in-the-dark rubber rings are only available through Titan Pinball. If you go to their website and order them, let them know that I sent you and I guarantee you will pay the exact same price" > — **Cary Hardy**, mid-video > _Product endorsement and sourcing information for glow-in-the-dark rubber components; affiliate relationship with Titan Pinball_ > "I really really thoroughly enjoy the glow-in-the-dark rubber rings any kind of machine that I get that I feel that would benefit from those and definitely getting that little special touch" > — **Cary Hardy**, late in video > _Personal aesthetic philosophy on mod selection and quality enhancement_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Cary Hardy | person | Pinball restoration technician and YouTube content creator specializing in machine restoration and LED modification projects | | Titan Pinball | company | Pinball parts supplier specializing in glow-in-the-dark rubber rings and other aftermarket components | | X-Files Pinball | game | Pinball machine being restored; subject of multi-episode restoration series by Cary Hardy | ### Topics - **Primary:** LED lighting upgrades and modifications, Glow-in-the-dark rubber ring components, Playfield restoration and visual enhancement - **Secondary:** Budget-constrained restoration work, UV lighting effects for flipper illumination ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Cary Hardy is enthusiastic about the modifications, particularly the glow-in-the-dark components and LED enhancements. The video emphasizes satisfaction with visual improvements and client service. Tone is upbeat and encouraging throughout. ### Signals - **[product_strategy]** LED X playfield feature upgraded from original incandescent lighting; color choice (green) selected for aesthetic consistency with theme (confidence: high) — Visual demonstration of illuminated X feature; Hardy's explanation of design decision to use solid green instead of multi-colored variant - **[product_concern]** Standard incandescent X playfield feature insufficient for desired visual impact; LED upgrade necessary to achieve desired illumination effect (confidence: medium) — Hardy states 'you can see the major difference on how much more illuminated it is compared to what it had with the incandescent bulbs' - **[technology_signal]** Shift from incandescent lighting to LED components (purple glow flippers, green playfield X, accent strips) as standard restoration upgrade approach (confidence: high) — Multiple LED upgrades applied across machine; Hardy's repeated emphasis on LED improvements as major visual enhancement factor --- ## Transcript What's up guys, here is my final episode for the X-Files pinball machine. This machine was not for my personal collection, this was for a local business and he wanted to add it to his collection that is beginning to grow. So this machine became available for purchase, he was interested, I got it, but he wanted it to be cleaned up and to make it his own. So therefore I made some suggestions on what we could do and according to his budget we were able to make certain things happen other things not so this was not a complete and utter like tear down get everything down get everything looking the best that possibly can obviously this was a quick shop and polish basically he did want a little bit of flair here and there and you will see that within the video and I'll try to point that out to you in case you don't see it but it's gonna be pretty obvious at the end the before and after of what we got so enough of this talking let's get on to the show so I'm gonna pan around this machine multiple times and each time I pan around I'm adding more and more to the playfield Something I want you to notice here is the X in the center of the playfield right here you can see the major difference on how much more illuminated it is compared to what it had with the incandescent bulbs now the thing is with this kit that I got for the LEDs the person that runs this kit wanted it to be a multi-colored changing X on the playfield and once I saw that I was like no we're not doing that it's it's got to be green and that in my opinion it's got to be green if I see like a multi-colored X on there It's just not going to look as good. So I added the color glowing flippers, basically just pulsating purple. I figure that goes best with it. And here we are, the finished product, guys. This is all LED, including the glow-in-the-dark rubber rings for the flippers and actually for the entire machine. But you're really going to notice the big difference in the flippers here, guys. So take notice of this. I've also got a green LED strip behind the alien chamber right here right behind the aliens you can't even see the LED strip unless you get it perfectly right there to where you can see it other than that it glows and underneath the swamp monster I also got another LED strip so it glows underneath the swamp monster as well Look at these rings on this one Look at this It amazing guys These blow-in-the-dark rubber rings are only available through Titan Pinball. If you go to their website and order them, let them know that I sent you and I guarantee you will pay the exact same price as if not telling them that I sent you. so that as you want this is with the glass on but look look at the flippers there's the UV strips that gives those flippers the ability to glow as much as they are I really really thoroughly enjoy the glow-in-the-dark rubber rings any kind of machine that I get that I feel that would benefit from those and definitely getting that little special touch and here the before and after difference guys thanks for watching I mean look at the rubber rings on the flippers I can't get over this look at that and how they just burst with color I mean like they're there there they are there's no mistaking it then they much more illuminated than you would normally see. Mega light show. And whenever the GI drops down, those rings are still glowing. all right guys that wraps up the x-files pinball series thanks for watching if you happen to watch all of these thank you very much by all means guys check me out on youtube just search for you should be able to find me and subscribe you never know i might post something that might find interesting some do's and some don'ts thanks for watching guys peace out _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 8857a42b-8146-4fda-81df-2faed52962df*