Best way to polish acrylic watercooling parts?

Goose · 2 Aug 2020 at 11:19

I took my loop apart a while ago after things went a bit wrong (you may have seen my other thread in this forum). To remove some gunk build up in my acrylic EK reservoir and bykski gpu block I had to use a washing up sponge which has left a lot shallow scratches.

I'd like to polish them out but i'm not sure what product(s) to use because I dont want to remove more material than necessary. Amazon has stuff like this and this. I can borrow my dads dremel tool if anyone knows of an attachment that would be safe to use on it (the product description says it can be used on plastic).

Thanks

Toothy1911 · 2 Aug 2020 at 12:55

I've seen the Novus stuff used before, but think you have to get multiple bottles of different compounds and work through them in stages.
Careful using anything like a dremel, you can just burn/melt the plastic. The cutting compound can generate a lot of heat locally.
Perhaps have a search for car headlight polishing kits. They tend to be PC rather than Acrylic, but should work the same.

Too Tall · 2 Aug 2020 at 13:01

For the cost of the products you're going to use would it be cheaper to buy a replacement plexi part for your res?

Goose · 2 Aug 2020 at 14:04

Too Tall said:
For the cost of the products you're going to use would it be cheaper to buy a replacement plexi part for your res?

My EK pump/res has been discontinued and it seems spare parts are no longer available either.

I’ll probably just leave it to be honest if I’m gonna have to spend £20 or more on polishing compounds.

Too Tall · 2 Aug 2020 at 14:11

Which res do you have?

Goose · 2 Aug 2020 at 14:34

Too Tall said:
Which res do you have?

https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-xres-140-revo-d5-pwm-plexi-incl-sleeved-pump

Too Tall · 2 Aug 2020 at 14:48

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-water-blocks-ek-res-x3-tube-150-104mm-wc-9an-ek.html

Slightly longer than yours. Others available.

Goose · 2 Aug 2020 at 14:52

Too Tall said:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ek-water-blocks-ek-res-x3-tube-150-104mm-wc-9an-ek.html

Slightly longer than yours. Others available.

That looks to be just the tube which i dont need. Its the two parts that screw in to each end of the tube that im trying clean.

RedMogg · 15 Aug 2020 at 19:14

I'd try a little toothpaste, first. Just regular stuff - if no effect, then try something grittier like Arm & Hammer.
Apply like Brasso and gently polish off, then buff with a Cape Cod cloth. I've had excellent results getting minor scratches out of gloss black plastic on games consoles/AV equipment and laquered speakers.

Goose · 15 Aug 2020 at 19:54

RedMogg said:
I'd try a little toothpaste, first. Just regular stuff - if no effect, then try something grittier like Arm & Hammer.
Apply like Brasso and gently polish off, then buff with a Cape Cod cloth. I've had excellent results getting minor scratches out of gloss black plastic on games consoles/AV equipment and laquered speakers.

Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately i gave up and reassembled my loop, next time i change the coolant i'll have another go.

Joxeon · 15 Aug 2020 at 20:38

T-cut and a cloth works well for removing scratches from acrylic.