Storage
How to Store an Arcade Cabinet or Pinball Machine Without Damaging It
Life happens. You move, renovate, or need the game room back for a while. Arcade cabinets and pinball machines can survive storage well, but they're vulnerable to moisture, temperature swings, pests and pressure. A few hours of preparation can save you a restoration project when you take them out again.
Choosing where to store it
| Location | Pros | Risks | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor room in your home | Stable temperature and humidity, easy to check on | Takes up living space | Best option if you have the room |
| Climate-controlled storage unit | Controlled environment, secure | Ongoing cost; check what "climate-controlled" means at that facility | Good choice for longer storage |
| Dry, finished basement | Usually stable temperature | Humidity, flooding risk, pests | OK with a dehumidifier and machines raised off the floor |
| Garage | Convenient | Temperature extremes, condensation, dust, pests | Short-term only, with careful prep |
| Non-climate-controlled unit, shed or attic | Cheap | Heat, cold, humidity, pests | Avoid for anything valuable |
Wood-based cabinets, especially MDF and particleboard, swell when they absorb moisture. Electronics, connectors and metal parts corrode in damp conditions. Heat can damage artwork, plastics and adhesives. Big swings between hot and cold can cause condensation. Our cold garage guide explains condensation in more detail.
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See humidity monitors on Amazon
A simple humidity monitor in the storage space tells you whether conditions are stable. That's worth knowing before you leave a machine there for months.
Preparing an arcade cabinet for storage
- Power down and unplug. Let it cool fully.
- Clean it. Dust the inside (vents, fans, boards) gently, clean the control panel, and wipe the cabinet.
- Empty it. Remove coins, tokens, keys and loose items. Store the keys somewhere you'll remember, and tape a note inside the coin door saying where they are.
- Document it. Photograph the inside, including any wiring, labels and settings, in case you need to reconnect something later.
- Check batteries. Some older game boards use batteries that can leak and damage circuitry. If yours does, ask a qualified tech about it or follow established guidance for your specific board.
- Secure doors. Lock the coin and back doors, or tape them shut with low-residue tape.
- Protect the control panel and marquee with padding.
Preparing a pinball machine for storage
- Power down, unplug and cool.
- Remove the balls from the trough and playfield. Store them in a labelled bag inside the cabinet or with the keys.
- Clean the playfield and glass using products made for pinball. Don't trap dirt under the glass for months.
- Check boards for batteries on older machines, as above.
- Fold the head and remove the legs only if the design allows and you plan to move it. Otherwise leave it set up on its legs in a stable spot.
- Keep the glass in place so the playfield is protected from dust and contact.
- Bag the leg bolts and hardware and tape the bag inside the cabinet.
Arcade monitors, especially CRTs, and some pinball components can hold electrical charge after unplugging. Don't open monitor chassis or power supplies unless you're trained. Cleaning should stay away from high-voltage areas.
Positioning and covering
- Keep machines upright as they're designed to stand
- Raise them off bare concrete on pallets, furniture risers or mats, to avoid moisture wicking into the wood
- Leave a gap from walls so air can circulate
- Use breathable covers such as cotton sheets or purpose-made covers. Avoid sealing machines in plastic, which can trap moisture
- Never stack anything on top of a cabinet or pinball glass
- Keep screens and artwork out of direct sunlight
- Don't store machines where they can be knocked over
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Short-term vs long-term storage
How much prep you do should match how long the machine will be away:
| Duration | Typical situation | Minimum prep |
|---|---|---|
| A few days to a few weeks | Renovation, flooring work, temporary room swap | Unplug, cover, keep it upright and out of the work zone, and protect it from construction dust |
| A few months | Between homes, seasonal space needs | Full clean, empty, document, breathable cover, raised off the floor, humidity checked |
| Long term | Extended moves, deployments, downsizing | Everything above plus a climate-controlled space, a board battery review on older machines, periodic check-ins, and insurance confirmed |
Renovations deserve a special mention. Drywall and sanding dust gets into vents, fans, boards and pinball mechanisms. If work is happening in the room, move machines out entirely, or cover them fully and seal the openings with low-residue tape until the dust settles.
Pests
Rodents and insects love warm, quiet cabinets and will chew wiring and nest inside. To reduce the risk:
- Choose a clean storage space with no signs of pests.
- Don't store food or food packaging nearby.
- Close all cabinet openings you safely can.
- Check on stored machines periodically if possible.
- Ask the storage facility about its pest control policy.
Storage units: questions to ask
- What does "climate-controlled" mean here, and is humidity controlled as well as temperature?
- Is the unit at ground level, and is there a risk of flooding?
- What pest control is in place?
- Is there easy access with a dolly, and loading equipment?
- What insurance options are available, and what do they cover? Check your own policy too
Checking in during storage
If you can, visit every month or two:
- Look for moisture, condensation or musty smells.
- Check for signs of pests.
- Make sure covers are still in place and nothing has been stacked on the machines.
- Check your humidity monitor's readings.
Some owners like to power machines on occasionally during long storage. If the space isn't climate-controlled, follow the restart steps below every time, especially letting the machine acclimatise first.
Bringing a machine out of storage
- Move it carefully into its new home. Our freight and stair access guide helps with the move.
- Let it acclimatise. If it's been somewhere cold, leave it at room temperature for long enough that any condensation has a chance to evaporate before you power on. Many owners wait a day to be safe.
- Inspect it. Look for moisture damage, pests, corrosion, swollen wood and anything loose.
- Clean it. Dust off, clean glass and screens.
- Power on and watch and listen. If you hear crackling, smell burning or see smoke, turn it off immediately and get qualified help.
- Test everything: controls, sound, lighting, and for pinball, every switch and coil.
- Level it in its new spot. See our pinball leveling guide and casters and levelers guide.
Common storage mistakes
- Wrapping in plastic sheeting. It traps moisture against the cabinet.
- Storing on bare concrete. Moisture wicks into the bottom of the cabinet.
- Leaving balls in a pinball machine. They can roll and damage the playfield during moves.
- Powering on straight from the cold. Condensation and electronics don't mix.
- Stacking boxes on top. Glass cracks and cabinets dent.
FAQ
Can I store an arcade cabinet in a garage?
For short periods with good preparation, often yes. But garages bring temperature swings, condensation, dust and pests. For longer storage, a climate-controlled space is much safer.
Should I store an arcade cabinet lying down?
No. Store it upright, the way it's designed to stand. Lay it on its back only during transport if necessary, and pad it well.
Should I cover my arcade machine with plastic?
Use breathable covers like cotton sheets or purpose-made covers instead. Plastic can trap moisture against the cabinet and electronics.
How long should I wait before turning on a machine from cold storage?
Long enough for it to reach room temperature and for any condensation to evaporate. Many owners wait a day to be safe.
Do I need to remove batteries from old arcade boards before storage?
Some older boards use batteries that can leak over time. Get advice specific to your board from a qualified tech or established community resources before removing anything.
The bottom line
Arcade cabinets and pinball machines store well if they're clean, dry, upright, off the floor and covered with something breathable, in a space without big temperature or humidity swings. Prepare them carefully, check on them if you can, and let them acclimatise before powering on again. Your machines will come back ready to play.