Pinball rubbers

Rubber rings have been used in pinball machines since around 1939. Prior to that, pinball games featured metal springs around the edges of the playfield, and most targets struck by the steel ball were also made of metal. In 1939, some machines introduced passive bumpers with white rubber rings, which significantly improved ball bounce. On early machines like Chief, rubber rings were used sparingly, only on a few bumpers.

Bally Bumper from 1936 had no rubber rings, only metal springs.

By the end of 1939, several manufacturers transitioned to playfields where rubber rings replaced metal springs. A notable example is Roller Derby. Metal springs continued to be used for years but were gradually phased out in favor of rubber rings.

This Belle Hop machine from 1941 used rubber rings in the center components and metal springs along the edges.

As pinball machines evolved, white rubber rings became a standard and essential part of gameplay. They contributed to the unpredictability and excitement of the ball’s movement. Designer Harry Williams famously said, 'The ball is wild', a quote closely tied to the influence of rubber rings. These rings can dramatically alter the ball’s trajectory, causing a spinning ball to suddenly stop and roll away after impact.

For decades, white rubber rings were the default. Machines with 2.5-inch flippers used white flipper rubbers. In the 1970s, when 3-inch flippers were introduced, manufacturers began experimenting with different types and colors of flipper rubbers. Each variation had its own size and bounce characteristics. By the 1980s, red rubber rings became the standard. Red offered the ideal balance of softness and bounce.

All rubber rings were originally made from natural rubber, which is white. Colored rings are created by adding pigments, which also affect the durometer (hardness). Generally, darker colors contain more additives and result in harder rubber. Yellow flipper rubbers are highly bouncy, red offers moderate bounce, and black flipper rubbers are the least bouncy, sometimes causing the ball to fall almost dead.

Flipper rubbers in different colors.

In the 1990s, manufacturers began shipping new machines with black rubber rings by default, largely at the request of operators. Black rubber was more durable, showed less dirt, and required less frequent cleaning. However, it offered less bounce, which made gameplay less dynamic. While beneficial for operators, black rubber was not ideal for players. Today, some collectors install black rings to restore originality, but this may not reflect the designer’s intent.

Despite changes in layout: faster gameplay, fewer rubber rings, and more metal guides, designers often still tuned their games using white rubber. If you want to preserve the original gameplay feel, especially on early WPC machines, white rubber is the better choice. The difference is noticeable. For example, in Attack From Mars and Medieval Madness, where one of the goals is to hit the pop bumpers a specific amount, this goal is easier to collect on a machine with white rubber, as the ball stays longer in the bumper area.

Pinball machine designers could request exceptions. No Good Gofers shipped with white rubber and even a real backglass instead of a translight, at Pat Lawlor’s request. As layouts evolved, some designers tailored games specifically for black rubber or a particular durometer. Fast-paced games, like those by Steve Ritchie, didn’t require extra bounce.

By the mid-2000s, black rubber had changed. Stern Pinball began using a softer black rubber that played similarly to white. Some black rings even came in different durometers, despite looking identical. The old rule: black is hard, white is soft, no longer applied. This complicates decisions for collectors. Did a game originally ship with soft or hard black rubber? Or should it use white instead? It often comes down to personal preference and experimentation. On machines with a fast layout, less bouncy rubber may play better.

Also in the 2000s, colored rubbers became widely available. Rings, flippers, and post sleeves came in a variety of colors, allowing collectors to match the theme and artwork of their machines. With the rise of colored LEDs, visual customization became more important than ever.

The latest evolution came a few years later: rubber rings made from silicone and other materials. These are available in many colors, including glow-in-the-dark material. Silicone rings feel and play differently. They’re more durable and resist UV damage, unlike natural rubber which dries and hardens over time. White rubber yellows, becomes hard and even crumbles over time. Silicone rings stay soft longer. Some players prefer silicone for its bounce and grip, though it requires adjusting your play style, especially when catching the ball on a flipper bat.

While major manufacturers still use rubber rings, smaller companies like Spooky Pinball ship their machines with silicone rings by default, Alice Cooper being one example. Most pinball shops now offer a wide selection of rubber and silicone flipper rubbers. You can find a large variety at Pinballshop.nl (affiliate link).

Alice Cooper playfield with glow-in-the-dark flipper rubbers and silicone rings on the slingshots.

If you're looking for pinball parts, then check out Pinballshop.nl (affiliate link).