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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
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polishing plastic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter blue71
  • Start date Start date Apr 24, 2004
B

blue71

New Member
May 30, 2003
36
0
0
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Apr 24, 2004
#1
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #1
anyone know how to polish plastic such as side marker lenses, tailights, or clear plastic in the gauge pod? Or has anyone done it?
 
F

Fostang

Founding Member
May 8, 2002
1,400
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36
Stockton, Ca
Apr 24, 2004
#2
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #2
First wet sand with 1500 girt sand paper.

Then a buffing wheel and red rouge or tripoli careful how long you let it touch the wheel because it gets hot.

Followed by some nu finish to finish it off.

I prefer the above method but I'm sure there are more.

Even jumping from the sand paper to the nu finish makes a big difference but if you sand it enough using the buffing wheel will become necessary.
 

1970 slantroof

Founding Member
May 14, 2001
189
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0
Far S.E. Arizona
Apr 24, 2004
#3
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #3
Go to the Eastwood website and look. They have special polishing wheels and compounds for plastic. Makes it look like new if it is not trashed to start with. If the plastic is in decent shape, I have used Simichrome or similar polish on an old cotton towel with success.
Howard
 
F

Fostang

Founding Member
May 8, 2002
1,400
0
36
Stockton, Ca
Apr 24, 2004
#4
  • Apr 24, 2004
  • #4
I just talked to the editor of fordmuscle.com Jeff and he said that mothers mag wheel aluminum wheel polish works rear well.
 

zookeeper

Founding Member
Aug 25, 2001
3,415
63
109
Rogue River, Oregon
Apr 25, 2004
#5
  • Apr 25, 2004
  • #5
When I installed the Cougar taillights on my Shelby clone, they had faint marks where the Cougar grilles were. I spent a bit of time with the Mother's wheel polish and they came right out. I wouldn't want to use it on clear plastic, like race car windows, but it did the trick for my red lenses.
 
R

Ronstang

New Member
Apr 4, 2004
1,294
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0
Houston Texas
Apr 25, 2004
#6
  • Apr 25, 2004
  • #6
Meguiars makes a plastic cleaner/polish system the does wonders on clear plastic. I used to use it on my motorcycle windshields with fantastic results. I sand most things with 1000-1500 grit and then use a buffing wheel with rouge on it. I then use the Meguiars as a finishing touch for that really shiny gloss look. I have even resurrected sets of yellowed headlight lenses this way.
 
J

jscar1968

New Member
Feb 11, 2004
28
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0
Santa Ynez, California
Apr 26, 2004
#7
  • Apr 26, 2004
  • #7
One word. toothpaste. It is a mild abrasive and it'll polish out plastic windshields and even glass.
 
C

cobraii351

Founding Member
Jan 10, 2000
1,104
4
39
Altoona, PA
Apr 26, 2004
#8
  • Apr 26, 2004
  • #8
jscar1968 said:
One word. toothpaste. It is a mild abrasive and it'll polish out plastic windshields and even glass.
Click to expand...


Yup. Here is what toothpaste and a little bit to elbow grease can do. Both lights were in the same condition. Just toothpaste on a wet rag and start rubbing.

Tim
 

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