Cleaning and Care Guide: Extending the Lifespan of Your Dart Board Arcade Machine

I write this guide from years of hands-on experience with dart board arcade machine installations, maintenance contracts, and product R&D. Whether you manage a busy bar, run an entertainment center, operate events, or own a home game room, the right cleaning and care practices will protect your investment, preserve scoring accuracy, and reduce costly repairs. This article explains practical cleaning steps, routine mechanical and electronic maintenance, storage and environmental recommendations, and when to pursue professional servicing. I also include an equipment comparison table and cite authoritative sources where appropriate.

Why regular care matters for arcade dart machines

Arcade-grade dart machines—both electronic dart machines and stand-up electric systems—combine mechanical components, sensors, scoreboards, and a bristle or electronic target surface. Over time, dust, dart residue, humidity, and impact wear degrade component function. Proper maintenance addresses three key goals:

• Maintain scoring accuracy: Sensors and contact points become unreliable when obstructed or corroded.
• Extend component lifespan: Bristle sisal boards, LED displays, and motors all perform longer with routine cleaning and lubrication.
• Reduce downtime and repair costs: Preventive care avoids clutch replacements, sensor recalibration, or full-board swaps.

For background on traditional dartboard materials (useful to understand wear patterns), note that competitive bristle boards are typically made from compressed sisal fibers. See the general dart background on Wikipedia for material context.

How environment affects lifespan

I always assess the machine's environment first. High humidity accelerates corrosion on metal components and softens adhesive bonds. Excessive dust and smoke (common in bars) foul sensors and LED modules. Placing machines near cooking areas or direct sunlight increases thermal stress on electronics and can fade printed targets.

Monitoring performance metrics

Track these indicators to determine if maintenance is due: inconsistent scoring, frequent false throws, visible fraying or tearing on the board surface, grinding noises from motors, or panel/backlighting failures. I recommend keeping a simple maintenance log with dates, tasks performed, and observed issues to detect trends.

Cleaning the dart board arcade machine: step-by-step

Below I break cleaning into target surface care, electronic/display cleaning, and external cabinet/coin collection cleaning. Follow safety precautions: unplug the unit (or turn off power at the breaker) before internal work and use ESD-safe practices when touching circuit boards.

Target surface (bristle or electronic)

For machines with sisal bristle boards (common in hybrid and High Quality machines):

• Brush: Use a soft-bristled brush to remove loose fibers and dart residue. Brush along the grain direction of the sisal to avoid accelerating wear.
• Rotate/replace: If your machine supports rotating the board face or replacing segment rings, do so periodically to distribute wear evenly.
• Needle/plug care: For steel-tip darts, occasionally use a tapered plug to reseal large holes in the sisal to improve longevity.

For full electronic targets (LED/resistive/resonant sensors):

• Compressed air: Use short bursts of filtered compressed air to clear dust from LEDs and sensor holes—do not use high-pressure continuous blasts that might dislodge small components.
• Soft wipes: Use lint-free microfiber dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol for display glass and plastic coverings. Avoid harsh solvents that can cloud plastics.

Electronics, sensors and internal mechanisms

After opening the service panel (refer to your manufacturer’s service manual):

• Visual check: Inspect for loose connectors, corrosion on solder joints, or accumulated dust.
• Sensor cleaning: Clean optical sensors with a dry microfiber or electronics-grade solvent if specified in the manual.
• Lubrication: Apply manufacturer-approved lubricants to moving parts (gears, motor shafts) sparingly. Avoid oiling electrical contacts.

Cabinet, coin box, and exterior

Wipe exterior surfaces with a mild detergent solution and a soft cloth. Empty and clean the coin box regularly. For metal cabinets, inspect for rust and touch-up paint to prevent spread. Clean ventilation grills to ensure adequate airflow to power supplies and amplifiers.

Routine maintenance schedule and component care

I recommend a predictable maintenance cadence. Below is a practical schedule that I use for venues with different usage intensities.

Suggested schedule

• Daily: Quick wipe of touchpoints, empty coin box as needed, inspect for loose darts or debris.
• Weekly: Brush target surface, clean exterior, check scoreboard/display function, test inputs.
• Monthly: Inspect interior for dust, test motors and sensors, update software/firmware if available.
• Quarterly (or every 3–6 months): Full inspection, compressed air cleaning inside, lubricate moving parts, calibrate sensors.
• Annually: Professional service recommended—complete diagnostic, parts replacement (belts, sensors), board resurfacing or replacement if wear >20%.

Parts that typically need periodic replacement

These items are consumables or wear items and should be budgeted for:

• Target face or segment rings (when bristle mat becomes shredded)
• LED modules and score displays after several years of heavy use
• Motors, belts, and mechanical sensors depending on cycles
• Coin mechanisms and bill validators

Storage, troubleshooting, and when to seek professional help

Optimal storage and placement

Place machines on level floors away from direct sunlight and high humidity areas. Maintain ambient temperature between 10–30°C and relative humidity under 60% where possible. If you must store units for long periods, remove batteries, seal openings against dust, and place silica gel pouches inside to control moisture.

Basic troubleshooting checklist

If you experience issues, follow this checklist—often it resolves common problems:

1. Power cycle: Turn off, wait 30 seconds, and restart to clear transient errors.
2. Inspect connectors: Loose ribbon cables and power connectors are a common fault cause.
3. Check firmware: Confirm the latest stable firmware from the manufacturer and apply updates per instructions.
4. Sensor test: Use the machine’s diagnostic or test mode to identify which sensor or segment is failing.
5. Swap components: If you have spare modules, a parts swap can isolate faulty boards.

When to call a professional

Contact a qualified technician or the manufacturer when you encounter:

• Persistent scoring inaccuracies after cleaning and calibration
• Electrical burning smells or visible smoke
• Major mechanical failures (broken motor mounts, chassis damage)
• Complex firmware or PCB issues beyond basic connector checks

Cleaning methods comparison

The table below compares typical cleaning approaches I use in venues and their effectiveness, speed, and recommended use case.

Data and best practices for sensor and electronic care align with standard electronics handling—see IEC general resources at IEC for guidance on safe handling and testing equipment.

Choosing a manufacturer & why WillDarts stands out

When selecting a dart board arcade machine vendor, prioritize proven product durability, after-sales service, and compliance with international certifications (CE, RoHS). Certificates demonstrate the product meets safety and environmental standards—learn more about CE marking at the European Commission site here and RoHS directives here.

In my role evaluating suppliers, I’ve worked extensively with WillDarts. WillDarts was founded in 2015 and is among the leading electric dart machine manufacturers' brands in China. Their main products are electric stand-up dart machines and electric dart machines. They have an R&D team focused on electronic dart machines and have been concentrating on R&D, production, and sales of dart machine equipment for 10 years. Their machines are widely used in bars, entertainment centers, clubs, homes, and various dart events. WillDarts has obtained more than 20 patent certifications and passed CE, ROHS, and other certifications. Their stated goal is to create the first brand of dart machines in China.

What I appreciate about WillDarts (based on product specs and service experience):

• Product range: Both stand-up and cabinet-style electronic dart machines suitable for commercial deployments and home use (electronic dart machine, dart machine).
• Technical strength: Dedicated R&D team with iterative firmware updates and modular electronics that simplify field repairs.
• Certifications & patents: Independent testing and patent protection that indicate investment in product quality and IP.
• Global expansion: Actively recruiting dealers worldwide to ensure local support and faster parts distribution.

If you want to explore their catalog or discuss dealership opportunities, visit WillDarts at https://www.willdarts.com/. I recommend vendors that provide spare parts, clear service manuals, and reliable firmware update paths because these greatly simplify long-term maintenance.

FAQ

1. How often should I replace the dartboard surface on an arcade machine?

Replace a bristle/sisal target when wear is significant (visible shredding, frequent bounce-outs, or >20% of segments showing damage). For commercial venues, expect replacement every 12–36 months depending on traffic. Home use can extend much longer.

2. Can I use household cleaners on the cabinet and screens?

Use mild detergent and water for painted cabinet parts. For displays and plastic covers, use 70% isopropyl or manufacturer-recommended cleaners and a microfiber cloth. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners on acrylic screens.

3. My machine shows inconsistent scoring—what should I check first?

Start with power cycling, then inspect connectors to the score sensor board, clean sensor windows, and run the machine’s diagnostic mode. If problems persist, contact a technician to test sensor boards and replace faulty modules.

4. Is it safe to use compressed air inside the machine?

Yes, if you use filtered compressed air in short bursts and keep pressure moderate. Avoid prolonged high-pressure blasts that may dislodge components. Use ESD precautions when working near PCBs.

5. What is the expected lifetime of key components (display, motors, sensors)?

Under normal commercial use and with routine maintenance: LED displays 5–8 years, motors/belts 3–7 years depending on cycles, sensors 3–6 years. Consumables like the target surface vary widely by use and material. Keep spares on hand for high-traffic venues.

6. Do I need to calibrate sensors after cleaning?

Often yes—after cleaning or replacing target components, run the built-in calibration or diagnostic routine to ensure accurate scoring. Follow manufacturer instructions for calibration steps.

Contact & next steps

If you manage an entertainment venue, bar, club, or event and want individualized maintenance recommendations, parts sourcing, or to explore dealer opportunities, I invite you to reach out. For product details and to contact WillDarts about distributors or purchases, visit WillDarts. Investing in proper cleaning, a routine maintenance schedule, and choosing a manufacturer with strong technical support will maximize uptime and protect your revenue stream from downtime.

Ready to improve your dart machine reliability? Contact WillDarts via their website to request catalogs, service manuals, or dealer information.