• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Plastic polish for dial windows

sx-70

sx-70

Well-Known Member
I've been researching this for quite some time today and I've read nearly all the threads on dial window and dust cover scratch removal. Please forgive me for starting a new thread but I couldn't find any info on using the Plexus product on the plastic dial windows.

I have some very light scratches on the face plate dial window of my 2285b due to prior cleaning. I would be very grateful for some advice on choosing among these options to address the scratches:

1. Polishing:
Novus 1 and 2 are on order. I'm concerned though that my efforts at polishing the dial with an abrasive product may make things worse. As I see it, the whole dial needs to be polished (not just the scratches) for uniformity and I'm not sure how to get the edges effectively without removing the plastic from mounting bracket. There is also a small area of screen printing to work around.

2. Plexus:
Plexus doesn't really remove the scratches as I understand it. Rather, it leaves behind a thin wax that fills them in so they are less visible. Has anyone tried this on the dial windows? It's definitely a faster process and I don't have to worry about uniformity as much.

3. Polish then Plexus:
A third option is to use the Novus products and finish off the dial with some Plexus.
 
Register to hide this ad
I recently used a product called Astro Shield on the cover for my Thorens TD-160. Also used it on car head lamps housings with really good success.
Below is the after of the Thorens cover. It had a lot of fine scratches and rubbing from being in its box for many years and they buffed right out and produced a brilliant shine.

1007161604a.jpg
1007161604.jpg
 
Fairlane said:
I recently used a product called Astro Shield on the cover for my Thorens TD-160. Also used it on car head lamps housings with really good success.
Below is the after of the Thorens cover. It had a lot of fine scratches and rubbing from being in its box for many years and they buffed right out and produced a brilliant shine.

View attachment 802675
View attachment 802677
Click to expand...
Wow, fantastic results there. I need to do my dust cover too, and my car's headlights as well:thumbsup:.
 
DO resist the urge to do more than a water wash (lightly) on the inside of the glass. The lettering on a lot of these old timers is VERY fragile.
 
I've used Plexus on my Technics and AR dust covers. You are right - it does not polish out scratches, but it does make the covers look a lot better. I am definitely curious about the "AstroShield" product Fairlane mentioned - it's a bit pricey, but could be worth it.
 
Hey I got it from a family friend who said they used it on their work trucks and tractors to keep them looking good.
Use it on my car too, really good stuff.
 
I have posted these pics before, but they show what you can do to a VERY scratched plastic surface with Novus 3 followed by Novus 2 (Novus 1 is a cleaner - no polish). No polish will remove deep scratches. I used 1000 grit wet sandpaper followed by 2000 grit, followed by Novus 3 and Novus 2. This is not easy - lots of elbow grease, but the results can be great. On dial faces, if they have light scratches or scratchy haze, I don't hesitate to use just Novus 2 with a microfiber towel. It will never have the glass finish of a new one, but if the whole thing has an even shine without surface haze, the eye sees glassy smooth.

Before
IMG_1064_zps3gieji84.jpg


After
IMG_1069_zpsj5kw15un.jpg
 
Steven Tate said:
I have posted these pics before, but they show what you can do to a VERY scratched plastic surface with Novus 3 followed by Novus 2 (Novus 1 is a cleaner - no polish). No polish will remove deep scratches. I used 1000 grit wet sandpaper followed by 2000 grit, followed by Novus 3 and Novus 2. This is not easy - lots of elbow grease, but the results can be great. On dial faces, if they have light scratches or scratchy haze, I don't hesitate to use just Novus 2 with a microfiber towel. It will never have the glass finish of a new one, but if the whole thing has an even shine without surface haze, the eye sees glassy smooth.

Before
IMG_1064_zps3gieji84.jpg


After
IMG_1069_zpsj5kw15un.jpg
Click to expand...
Holy crap!! It looks brand new!! Was the dustcover in the first pic after you took the wetsand to it ? Or before that?
 
Think I'll go with the Novus system. Thanks all.

I'm not doing the dial (just the window on the face plate) but I will definitely be careful not to polish off the all important "Dual Power Supply" which I think is screen printed on the front.

I was going to use the Novus "polish mate" included with the kit. Interesting that Novus recommends cotton over polyester (most microfiber towels are polyester right?).

From Novus:
If NOVUS Polish Mates are not available, use a soft cotton cloth (such as a diaper), avoid using polyester or rayon wipes which can scratch unprotected plastic.
 
That was before sanding. I really considered it a throw-away because of the scratches and a small broken piece off of the right side. But I had wanted to try the wet sanding to see if I could eliminate fairly deep scratches, so I used this as an expendable guinea pig. It now sits on my Dual 1229 right next to a Marantz 2270 and looks just great. But I probably spent 1-1/2 hours to get that finish. I just don't believe there are any really effective shortcuts.
 
Last edited:
sx-70 said:
Think I'll go with the Novus system. Thanks all.

I'm not doing the dial (just the window on the face plate) but I will definitely be careful not to polish off the all important "Dual Power Supply" which I think is screen printed on the front.

I was going to use the Novus "polish mate" included with the kit. Interesting that Novus recommends cotton over polyester (most microfiber towels are polyester right?).

From Novus:
If NOVUS Polish Mates are not available, use a soft cotton cloth (such as a diaper), avoid using polyester or rayon wipes which can scratch unprotected plastic.
Click to expand...
On a dial face, I would try to stay with just the Novus 2 (followed by 1 for cleaning if you desire). If you start with Novus 3, it will leave a haze that's will require a lot of work with Novus 2 to get rid of.
 
NU-Finish car polish....

Works wonders on dustcovers and plastic. Use a damp cloth to apply..

Requires little work, apply, buff off.

Great for deep cleaning metal faceplates too.

Good luck,
John
 
I used the Novus 2 today and it left very faint swirl marks. I didn't go too crazy, probably polished for about 10 minutes. This amount of time isn't enough to really get a uniform surface but I was already noticing that I was unable to polish the periphery of the face plate window effectively. So I halted the process and luckily the Novus 1 took care of those swirl marks. I'm wondering if it has a little wax in it like the Plexus product to fill in very fine scratches. End result is pretty darn good.

So....

My suggestion for very faint scratches/swirl marks on the face plate window is to try the Novus 1 or Plexus product first. If that doesn't take care of it then progress to polishing with Novus 2 or a similar plastic polish (followed by Novus 1 or Plexus).
 
The type of rag/towel material that you apply it with and do the final polishing with is equally important as to not having any swirl marks.

Bob
 
I have been using a random orbital car polisher with super results. Been using a couple different grades of rubbing compound finishing with Meguiar's PlastX. I may want to try the Novus products when i find them, but I learned how to buff back when i detailed cars in High School in the late 60s. Once you develop the "feel" it's amazing what you can fix.

EDIT: I realize this thread is more toward the dial glass/plastic small area, method of a random orbital polisher would probably ruin a faceplate lens, so stay with the rec'd hand polishing! The ROS works well on turntable dustcovers!!
 
Last edited:
Thanks Bob, I'm sure I needed to give the Novus 2 more time along with elbow grease.

I applied the novus 2 with my fingers (per a recommendation by Tom on some earlier post). Edit: Please note that the Novus instructions warn specifically about skin irritation. It is probably better to apply with a microfiber or cotton cloth.

I buffed with a clean 100% cotton material per the recommendation by Novus. I didn't like the "polish mates" supplied by Novus - produced too much lint.

After buffing I washed the dial window with soap and water applied by hand (no rag) to get the lint off that was left by the "polish mates". I then rinsed it off completely. Rather than towel dry I dried it with a hair dryer (low heat setting). That minimized any contact with dial that would cause further scratching. I then applied the Novus 1 polish.

The dial window turned out really nice with no noticeable swirl marks after applying the Novus 1.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom