Plastic scratches

[LoneWanderer]

Hey guys and gals, quick question again. Does anyone know of a good method to remove scratches in plastic from xacto knives and the like? I've looking into maybe using a scratch remover used for cars but would that damage the plastic?
Any ideas are welcome and thanks!

 

[Rogviler]

If it's a small area I use fingernail polishing blocks, the kind that have 4-6 different grits on them that you work up through. But plastic tends to chew them up and it takes a long time so if it's a large area I'd move on to fine sandpapers and polishing compound.

-Rog

 

[Abelugo]

You would basically have to polish it out. I forget the name but we have a plastic polish we use on some plastics parts at work.however if an exacto is cut is deep, even polishing will not take it out because basically you are sanding away material to get it to the same level of the gouge or scratch.

Most autotive I've paints are now a form of plastic.

we usually are polishing clear lens type parts and removing hazing.

It it is similar to the way you would fix or polish paint in cars. If the chip or scratch is too deep, no amount of polishing will fix it.

Also on the other hand,! Sometimes leaving the surface as is and just cleaning around it makes it less noticeable that the is an error. I'm saying you may be able to leave it as is and nobody will notice.

By trying to to polish it out you will make it more obvious something is funky.

Maybe try the stuff made for headlight lenses.

the stuff we use at work is called novus. It's like three different liquids you use in steps.

 

[division 6]

When I worked for a place that made acrylic aquariums we used a wet sanding kit and automotive polish (Meguiars IIRC)

 

[nicom1234]

Depending on the plastic, as I believe it only works with Acrylic, I have in the past removed scratches with a flame. If you google 'flame polishing, you can see how this would work.

 

[TazMan2000]

First of all, what type of plastic is it?

TazMan2000

 

[AJK001]

You might want to check out Novus. I've used it to remove light surface scratches and yellowing from my MR Display Cases.

 

[Gixxerfool]

You might want to check out Novus. I've used it to remove light surface scratches and yellowing from my MR Display Cases.

I have their three stage kit and it's fantastic.

 

[Elementary]

I've used Brasso metal polish before.

 

[LoneWanderer]

Hey everyone thanks for the replies, first off the scratches are all pretty shallow caused by my unsteady hand slipping while cutting on the plastic. I will look into the products listed above especially the McGuire's since I was thinking of that too. The Novus will also be an option to check out but I think I'll start with the McGuire's since it sounds simpler to me. I'll update you guys soon! Thanks again for all the replies and feel free to keep them coming.

 

[penabled]

Polishing compound is just a really fine abrasive. You might also try wet sanding with 1500 to 2000 grit sandpaper. My experience with polishing compounds is that they work great for smoothing out the surface after you have removed most of the material you need removed, not so well for actually removing anything. I suggest using the sandpaper first, then the polishing compound. Be very patient with the sandpaper.

 

[LoneWanderer]

Polishing compound is just a really fine abrasive. You might also try wet sanding with 1500 to 2000 grit sandpaper. My experience with polishing compounds is that they work great for smoothing out the surface after you have removed most of the material you need removed, not so well for actually removing anything. I suggest using the sandpaper first, then the polishing compound. Be very patient with the sandpaper.

This is good advice man thanks I'll begin with easy fine wet sanding.