Dust cover polishing
- Thread starter 2martinis
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I don't recall where I found it, but back in the 80s I got the Novus plastic polish kit--#1 was like a spray cleaner, and #2 was like a rubbing compound. #2 works wonders! While it doesnt get out really deep scratches, it takes away all those hazy fine scratches that make a dustcover look old. I still have the polish. I've used it on the acrylic over the speedometers on all of my cars after a few years and made them look like new again. I have maybe a third of the bottle left, and it's still in liquid form.
I also wonder if a plastic headlight restorer would work.
I also wonder if a plastic headlight restorer would work.
antv20
Active Member
Headlight restored should work. I detail cars for shits and giggles. I used a Porter Cable 7424 DA with some of my paint correcting polishes. Worked great on my used Pioneer dust cover.
Wuss
Well-Known Member
I did my rega planar 3 cover with 1500 and 2000 wet and dry then this - XERAPOL PLASTIC SCRATCH REMOVAL POLISH (got it on Amazon). I used the wet and dry because my wife put a bottle of nail polish remover down on it and left a large mark on the top. After the wet and dry I thought I'd ruined it but once I used the polish it came up like new 
Another possible answer:
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/flitz--eisenglass-plastic-restoration-kit--10079069
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/flitz--eisenglass-plastic-restoration-kit--10079069
DustyOldPile
Vinyl Goddess
I use Meguiars Plastic Cleaner 17 followed up by Plastic Polish 11. They look like new.
Panotaker
Well-Known Member
I recently bought a SL-1200GLD. The TT was in mint condition, but the plastic cover was all scratched up and looked like crap. Those brown tinted covers are no longer available from Technics. So today I took a huge chance and decided to polish it up by sanding it with the 3000 grit sand paper, and polishing it up with Plastix that comes in The Meguiars head light polishing kit. It actually worked and now the cover looks brand new!
antv20
Active Member
I'd be terrified to use my car buffers on a dust cover.
I wouldn't use a rotary on it. A porter cable is a dual action polisher. I use it on headlights on my vehicles as well as paint correction. It's pretty much idiot proof and nearly impossible to due damage with it.
Davron94
Well-Known Member
I just picked up a mint Sl-1700 a couple weeks ago but the cover was trashed. I had a 3M headlight restoration kit laying around. I broke it out, only had to use step 3 and 4 to sand and polish. I finished it off with some Plexus that I use for my motorcycle. The thing looks brand freakin new now!
Novus has a number 3 heavy scratch remover as well as the 2 and 1. That's what I'm using right now. I found the Novus stuff in a local marine store. I've also used the Meguiars stuff (but I haven't seen it in the local car parts store for a while).
I have a 6-inch no-name orbital buffer (under $20). And I wet sand if required (up to 2000 grit).
The final touch ... polish the dust cover with a 50/50 mixture of Windex and Lemon Pledge. Be careful though cause the dust cover will slip right out of your fingers after you are done.
I have a 6-inch no-name orbital buffer (under $20). And I wet sand if required (up to 2000 grit).
The final touch ... polish the dust cover with a 50/50 mixture of Windex and Lemon Pledge. Be careful though cause the dust cover will slip right out of your fingers after you are done.
Stanton681EEES
Addicted Member
So did you use the sandpaper wet and then once you got it smoothed out (the bad spot) you used the Xerapol?I did my rega planar 3 cover with 1500 and 2000 wet and dry then this - XERAPOL PLASTIC SCRATCH REMOVAL POLISH (got it on Amazon). I used the wet and dry because my wife put a bottle of nail polish remover down on it and left a large mark on the top. After the wet and dry I thought I'd ruined it but once I used the polish it came up like new
orsen
Jukebox Hero
i've done a whole bunch of dust covers with the headlight polishing kits
they work wonders
1 use a slow drill speed
2 never stop moving or the dustcover will melt and is very hard to sand out
3 if your doing this often its cheaper to go to an auto refinisher to buy the sanding discs
they work wonders
1 use a slow drill speed
2 never stop moving or the dustcover will melt and is very hard to sand out
3 if your doing this often its cheaper to go to an auto refinisher to buy the sanding discs
I use Novus 3 and 2, and it does look good, but there are still faint, somewhat hazy swirl marks compared to something that's brand new.
Djcoolray
Addicted Member
Yes..
Using fine grit wet sandpaper starting with 1200 grit and working your way up to 3000 grit should get all the scratches out. If not, drop down into something courser and use finer and finer grits until all the scratches are gone !
Automotive polishing compound in liquid form would be the best since modern paint is acrylic ! Depending what you want to look at...clear or clear and shinny like a corvette lacquer shine !
Using fine grit wet sandpaper starting with 1200 grit and working your way up to 3000 grit should get all the scratches out. If not, drop down into something courser and use finer and finer grits until all the scratches are gone !
Automotive polishing compound in liquid form would be the best since modern paint is acrylic ! Depending what you want to look at...clear or clear and shinny like a corvette lacquer shine !
