scuff marks on plastic

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Old Dec 12, 2003 | 03:25 PM
  #1  
porkchop's Avatar
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From: Under a car
Car Info: some silver thing
scuff marks on plastic

So this guy in front of me kicked up some debris on the freeway, piece of plastic nicked up my bumper, grill and head lights pretty good...


Bumper and grill can be repainted, but the headlights have a good scuff on it... I been looking at Mothers and Meguire's plastic polish, but no idea which one would work.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Tommy
www.mpjperformance.com
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 03:27 PM
  #2  
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meguires is pretty good.
gluck and see you tomorrow
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 03:37 PM
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what about the rubbing compound masters uses to polish the scoops?

sD
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 03:44 PM
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Just make sure you don't use any rubbing compounds that are abrasive.
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 03:58 PM
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Here is what will work unless it is GOUGED....and even then it may work. I've used it to "restore" a set of junkyard taillights before (they are currently on my Impala SS) : they looked like junk when I started (major scratches on lenses), looked better than new once done.
  1. Remove the light from the car
  2. Wet sand out the scratches using 1000 grit
  3. Wet sand again using 2000 grit. At this point you'll have fine scratches in the lense but that's about it.
  4. Get the plastic polishing compound from Eastwood (www.eastwoodco.com ).

    Link to Plastic Polishing Compound on Eastwood Co Site

    Using a cloth buffing wheel (i.e. NOT abrasive) on a bench polisher/grinder, apply the compound to the wheel.
  5. Hold the lense against the buffing wheel with LIGHT pressure, let the wheel with compound do the work of buffing out the scratches from the 2000 grit.
  6. Finish off with the Mother's plastic polish
  7. Once it is polished out (note that once you "fix" this one, the other on the car may look like crap in comparison!) you'll want to apply the 3M film over the headlight capsule so this doesn't happen again. I've had good luck with the films from www.xpel.com
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 04:58 PM
  #6  
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Geez for using the buffing wheel... I've screwed up so many plastic lenses on various electronics from over doing the buffing. Its SUCH delicate work. Start with the slowest speed possible. Its like that "measure twice, cut once" addage. Once you fock it up, its focked. DONT use a dremel tool. If you have to, use a drill. It might take a long time but the slower the process the better it usually turns out (kinda like compressing DivX )

jason
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 05:03 PM
  #7  
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The trick on the buffing wheel is the right compound. Don't try and "substitute" on that one.....there's a reason I recommended that specific compound

If you try and use any kind of metal or glass polishing compound with a buffing wheel, dremel, etc, you WILL burn thru the plastic.
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 05:06 PM
  #8  
porkchop's Avatar
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From: Under a car
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maybe I should just bring my light to you Ed, I'm gonna try some mothers/meguire plastic polish ...maybe I can get some out...

lets hope it doesn't get any worse....Jason's luck might be rubbing off on me..

Thanks for all the input..

Tommy
www.mpjperformance.com
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 05:10 PM
  #9  
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You aren't the only one who go OWN3D this week by road hazards:

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/showth...ht=tree+branch

Trees have much suck!

Kurlee Daddee
(THE ORIGINAL)
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 06:12 PM
  #10  
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send it to me I will fix it for you!! BUFFING IS NOT HARD!!! I do it all the time.

-freddie
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 07:18 PM
  #11  
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Originally posted by porkchop
maybe I should just bring my light to you Ed, I'm gonna try some mothers/meguire plastic polish ...maybe I can get some out...

lets hope it doesn't get any worse....Jason's luck might be rubbing off on me..

Thanks for all the input..

Tommy
www.mpjperformance.com
hey, let me know if it works.. cuz i got some scratches on my lights too
Old Dec 12, 2003 | 08:09 PM
  #12  
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I'll hook you up with some Xpel headlight covers when i come out to check that Greddy FMIC your getting in, these things cover every little pit and scuff and make your headlights look brand new
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