lexan or plexiglass scratch removal(How to?)

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Author Topic:   lexan or plexiglass scratch removal(How to?)

scottfarm posted 02-14-2001 09:05 AM ET (US)
Is there a way to polish out scratches on plexiglass or lexan. Also I saw a post on tools you should carry on boat but can't find it anywhere. Dennis
Tom W Clark posted 02-14-2001 10:07 AM ET (US)
You can buy a kit that is made for aircraft windshields. It is, or was, (it's been some time since I used one) called Micro Mesh. It was originally developed by the military. Basically it involves "sanding" with progressively finer grits of abrasive cloth. You take care to sand in one direction only with a particular grit, and follow that with the next grit going perpendicular. This allows you to see when you've completely sanded out the scratches from the previous grit. The grits provided in the kit become EXTREMELY fine, and it does take some time. You can probably pick up a Micro Mesh kit from an FBO at your local general aviation airport.
Tom W Clark posted 02-14-2001 10:14 AM ET (US)
here's one (of many) sources I found on the www: http://www.beuco.com/70-07.htm
jimmer posted 02-14-2001 03:24 PM ET (US)
That sounds like a fantastic way to remove deep scratches but may be more work than you need to do if the scratches are minor. If they are, a trip to your local auto parts store should be able to provide you with plastic polish that is marketed for convertible top windows. I have used this successfully on all sorts of plastics with excellent results.
DIVE 1 posted 02-14-2001 08:50 PM ET (US)
For minor scratches, we use a propane torch. Hold the torch about 8-12" from the plexiglass and rapidly wave it back and forth across the panel. Do not stop anywhere on the plexiglass. If the process needs to be repeated, touch the plexiglass with your hand and make sure it is at ambient temperature before proceeding. Be careful not to get the plexiglass too hot.

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Author	Topic: lexan or plexiglass scratch removal(How to?)
scottfarm	posted 02-14-2001 09:05 AM ET (US) Is there a way to polish out scratches on plexiglass or lexan. Also I saw a post on tools you should carry on boat but can't find it anywhere. Dennis
Tom W Clark	posted 02-14-2001 10:07 AM ET (US) You can buy a kit that is made for aircraft windshields. It is, or was, (it's been some time since I used one) called Micro Mesh. It was originally developed by the military. Basically it involves "sanding" with progressively finer grits of abrasive cloth. You take care to sand in one direction only with a particular grit, and follow that with the next grit going perpendicular. This allows you to see when you've completely sanded out the scratches from the previous grit. The grits provided in the kit become EXTREMELY fine, and it does take some time. You can probably pick up a Micro Mesh kit from an FBO at your local general aviation airport.
Tom W Clark	posted 02-14-2001 10:14 AM ET (US) here's one (of many) sources I found on the www: http://www.beuco.com/70-07.htm
jimmer	posted 02-14-2001 03:24 PM ET (US) That sounds like a fantastic way to remove deep scratches but may be more work than you need to do if the scratches are minor. If they are, a trip to your local auto parts store should be able to provide you with plastic polish that is marketed for convertible top windows. I have used this successfully on all sorts of plastics with excellent results.
DIVE 1	posted 02-14-2001 08:50 PM ET (US) For minor scratches, we use a propane torch. Hold the torch about 8-12" from the plexiglass and rapidly wave it back and forth across the panel. Do not stop anywhere on the plexiglass. If the process needs to be repeated, touch the plexiglass with your hand and make sure it is at ambient temperature before proceeding. Be careful not to get the plexiglass too hot.