Polishing clear plastic. Any help?

Tobes · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:40

Evening.

I have a couple of Technics turntable covers that are spider scratched up and while dust covers will get scratched I would like to restore them to show the lovely decks underneath better.

I just wanted to know if anyone has any experience in polishing plastic and what you would recommend. I hear Novus plastic polish is good but I wanted to know if it's a good idea to get some really fine sandpaper and use that first. If there's any interest I will take a photo tomorrow as sandpaper might be too much.

But yeah any help would be appreciated.

2bit · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:44

I've heard that either of the metal polishers are good - Brasso etc.
Very efficient for clearing transparent plastic.

Schizo · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yp-kumgpoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fAJ6SrK3X8 1;45 in

2bit · 14 Jun 2013 at 00:01

That was actually a good video, and I learned something.

Thanks!

Schizo · 14 Jun 2013 at 00:02

The 2nd one only has a little part on polishing but uses the same stuff.

2bit · 14 Jun 2013 at 00:11

Excellent video - thanks for sharing that.

FiremanSam · 14 Jun 2013 at 07:21

Do you have any t-cut? That works very well on light surface scratches, we use it on plastics all the time at work.

One More Solo · 14 Jun 2013 at 07:40

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Novus-plastic-polish-small-59-2ml/dp/B005FVNBFU

Work from 3 to 1, brilliant stuff.

Tobes · 17 Jul 2013 at 20:54

So i have sanded it all down and I got myself some PlastX. I just need to a polishing tool thing for a drill. I'm after one that is flexible and is also really fluffy so something like wool. I can't seem to find one though. Anyone care to help me out here?

mattyfez · 17 Jul 2013 at 21:03

Maybe a micro fibre cloth (available from your local motor save) and a very gentle cutting compound, and or maybe some 0000 wire wool?

ajf · 17 Jul 2013 at 22:05

Meguiars also do a polish for clear plastics.
I've used it on headlights without issue. Very gentle, almost too gentle as it takes some work to remove scratches.

Tobes · 17 Jul 2013 at 22:07

Thanks for your input guys but I already have the polish and I'm just after a polishing head now.

d_brennen · 17 Jul 2013 at 22:09

ajf said:
Meguiars also do a polish for clear plastics.
I've used it on headlights without issue. Very gentle, almost too gentle as it takes some work to remove scratches.

OT but Meguiars metal polish smells amazing. Could almost eat the stuff

fornowagain · 17 Jul 2013 at 22:31

Greygate Plastic Polish, great stuff.

Aod · 18 Jul 2013 at 00:13

Tobes said:
Thanks for your input guys but I already have the polish and I'm just after a polishing head now.

Do it by hand. Machine-polishing plastic is extremely difficult and often causes more problems than it solves.

Philtor · 18 Jul 2013 at 00:16

Aod said:
Do it by hand.

That only works for so long, then you get bored.