Just wondering if there is anyway to re finish the surface of a plastic emblem to remove scratches. I have 2 of the door panel emblems for my '82 TA, and the plastic top looks scratched. Is there any way you could buff these out? I know the actual finish underneath is fine, it's just the top that is scratched up.

Anyone have any ideas? I'd appreciate any and all input!

 

There are a number of Plastic Polishes on the market. My preference is 3M Plastic Cleaner and Polish. It coming in 2 separate bottles and I've used it for a few years with great results. What I've learned is that you would use the cleaner as a "buffing compound" by hand buff it it with a terry cloth towel until it's all gone, buff of residue with a clean towel then use the polish in the same way and buff clean. Then I prefer to use some wax, my preference is Meguiar's Gold Glass. I have used this system on old lenses with excellent results and even saw some inpressive results on lenses that were new.

I know Murrays auto parts carries the 3M. Not sure who else does but there are other polishes for plastics out there.

Hope that helps.
Mark
RPM

 

thanks, I got the 3M plastic polish, didn't get the cleaner though. It worked pretty good, and is not as hazy, however some of the scratches are still visible...do I just keep buffing it to try and reduce them more? I'll post pics later.

 

I would definitely get the cleaner, it will be the one to clean off the scratches!!!!!!!!! Then use the polish.
Just like buffing compound then wax on paint!

 

so I take it the cleaner is a little bit more abrasive then huh? They didn't have the cleaner so I just picked up the polish. The emblems look a lot clearer, just still scratched. I'll try and find the cleaner...

 

You got it sir, the cleaner will actually remove the scratches and the polish fills in the imperfections! Wax makes it shine.

 

Well, I still couldn't find the 3M cleaner, so I got some Meguires plastic cleaner. They look a little better, but still have some noticeable scratches. Considering what they looked like before I even tried to remove the scratches, it's like night and day. I guess I'm a little too picky but since they don't make these, and these are the gold ones which are even harder to fine, I'll have to make do with them.

 

1982TA,
Since your a stickler, here is what you do...

Edit - I am assuming that these parts are a hard plastic, softer plastics are more difficult to work with. I am assuming the pieces are made of a plastic similar to plexiglas for harness, If they are soft then disregard my post - end edit.

1) get yourself some quality 3M wet-dry sand paper, I would recommend getting some 1500, 1000, and 800.

2) START with the 1500, and sand it down by hand using your fingers, a little spit does not hurt, or a bowl of water works too. Sand vigerously, make sure it does not get hot, you can actually bubble the surface if your not careful. if your a real stickler then take a small piece of wood like a paint stur stick and break it into a small 1" to 1.5" square, and use that to sand with...

3) Polish the surface again, Start with the coarser and end with the finer compounds. I would recommend using a 100% cotton cloth (old white T-shirt, old (clean) diaper etc). With the finer compound you can use the 100% cotton cloth again, or better yet get yourself a microfiber cloth at an auto parts store, they feel like terrycloth, then polish your part with that using the fine polish. (note usually you don't need to use a block for polishing at this point.)

3) wipe clean. If you still have scratches you can use a coarser sand paper like the 1000 grit and start over, then the 1500, and then the polish system..

I did my "Fuel Injection" Door handle decals like that and they are beautiful. Of course I used a power buffing wheel, you have to be very careful when using power though not to melt the surface.

Good luck and take your time... I woudl think it would take you about an hour from start to finish if you really take your time, but the results will be worth it.

JOhn

John

 

John's right. If there are still scratches that you want to get out, a little wet sanding will do the trick. I will be doing a little of that myself in a few weeks on my taillights just to brighten them up a bit.

 

thanks for the tips guys...I tried the wetsanding and it turned out great! I'd like to try it on my taillights also, but I have the '82-'84 style, so it would probably be a lot more time consuming and difficult since there are so many flat surfaces to go over.

 

THe wet sanding on the 82-85 tailights would be the easy part, it would be the polishing that would really take some time. I would suspect that most of the scratches would be on the surface anyways so getting into the grooves might not be as necessary, but I have seen some pitted lenses...

John

 

my lenses are pretty descent...not any scratches, just somewhat hazy looking.

 

Polishing will help, but because they are ribbed it will be like pushing a rope up hill..

Good luck

John

 

Now that's freakin funny!