Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

[Theodore K.]

I am restoring an older radio from a 6 volt chevy truck. The dial face is a clear plastic with lettering, etc. The surface is not too bad but needs a little polishing to remove some blemishes. I think this may have been plexiglass but I am not sure. Does anyone know some good ways to polish the surface of this piece and restore the surface. This is not a corvette piece but I suspect the material is similar to that used for instrument front covers.
Any help is appreciated.

[Henry F.]

Re: Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

You might try tooth paste or tooth power!
Just guessing.

[Michael H.]

Re: Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

Meguiars makes two different polishing compounds for doing plexi-glass.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

You might try tooth paste or tooth power!
Just guessing.

I would be careful about using tooth paste or powder. Both are probably pretty abrasive for polishing plastic...I doubt you'll get a good final result without resorting to finer polishes.

Theodore, you polish plastic just like you polish paint: Start with a machine type rubbing compound (hand application, buffer not necessary). Once the big scratches are gone, progress to a polishing glaze for the finishing touch. For extremely hard plastics, like polycarbonate (Lexan), I've even used Simichrome polish with limited success, but that was a last resort.

One caution: If the plastic is clear and flat (like a radio dial), be careful you polish it uniformly...polishing too long in one spot to remove deep scratches may cause a visible distortion

[Patrick N.]

Re: Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

We use this stuff all the time-http://www.novuspolish.com/

Like others have stated, if you have any scratches you will need to remove them first with 600 grit wet sanding, then 800 grit wet sand to a dull haze. then hit it with Novus 1, 2, 3 system. You will have a perfect surface when finished.

Be careful, corners and edges can quickly round over, use a block if it is a flat surface.

Good luck
Pat

[Mike G.]

Re: Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

I am restoring an older radio from a 6 volt chevy truck. The dial face is a clear plastic with lettering, etc. The surface is not too bad but needs a little polishing to remove some blemishes. I think this may have been plexiglass but I am not sure. Does anyone know some good ways to polish the surface of this piece and restore the surface. This is not a corvette piece but I suspect the material is similar to that used for instrument front covers.
Any help is appreciated.

anything you do will probably remove the lettering unless it on the back side.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

I have had good luck with the Mequires product.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Polishing Plastic (Plexiglass)

Meguires has a 3 step system which I have had good results.
There is a cleaner (#17 ?) a polish (#10 ?) and a glaze.
With a little elbow grease you can get excellent results.