8080DB Plastic Mar Polish?

milo63

milo63

Everett, WA
Subscriber
8080DB came in in PROTECTION, replacing the fusible resistors on the amp board fixed that (lots of open or very high resistance).
It's got a scratch on the plastic faceplate that I can't feel but it doesn't clean off.

PXL_20220202_035922937.jpg

Is there a way to polish it out without ruining it? I'm good at ruining things so I thought I'd come here first.
 
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Novus #2 plastic polish and a microfiber cloth usually works for me. I'm not sure the exact type of plastic this is, but it's probably acrylic of some variety, which can be polished pretty readily. I've polished quite a few Sansui face plates that came out nicely. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, usually doesn't polish out so well.

If you have no Novus, sometimes a little mild toothpaste on a soft cloth will remove scuffs like the one pictured, as most have a very fine abrasive in them.
 
I also recommend Novis, although for that deep a scratch you should start out with Novis 3, then go to Novis 2. For really deep scratches there is also a process called "Micro-mesh". It is a series of six abrasive sheets going from 600 grit to 8000 grit, with a sponge like backer block. You remove the scratch with the 600, then polish the plastic back to clear with the series of six grit steps to 8000 grit. After that the Novis polish makes it as good as new. I have used both on dust covers and dial faces, as well as my sailplane's canopy.
 
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Besides Novus Polishes, you might get away with something like a Meguiars, or 3M Headlight repair kit polish sold in auto parts stores. One name might be Plastic-X I think. Most places carry such today.

If you find a need to go to a sanding paper, you'll want to find the finest grit possible, 2000, 3000, and even 5000. Start with the finest paper first carefully. Places to find such would likely be an auto paint supply shop in your area. Tell the person there what you intend to use such for, he may be of help and get you the right stuff.

A good hand glaze such as 3M can also help bring up the highest gloss, and hide-fill minor damage.
 
The headlight polish kits are designed for Polycarbonate headlight shells. The acrylic plastic used for face plate lenses is much softer material so the headlight kits might be too aggressive for the acrylic. The polishing process starts with post #7 on the first page of the FAQ thread.

- Pete
 
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