Trick to PlastX

[05BlkAltima]

I finally found a bottle of this stuff and I had I hopes for it. When I got home I tried it the plastic piece that covers the display of my factory stereo. Its full of fine scratches. When I applied PlastX with a sponge applicator I rubbed it in till it was virtually gone and then wiped down with a MF. Not the slightest improvement even after multi coats. Also I tried this on my wife's plastic windows are her vinyl rag-top. Full of scratches. Took a little of the dullness out but none of the scratches. Is there something I'm doing wrong because this is disappointed.

On the plus side I finally found the Gold Class water magnet

[Lt1Corvette]

For the rear window, start off with a terry towel for the first few applications and finish with a sponge applicator. It is not uncommon to have to do several passes and reapplications of the product. When I used it on my fog light covers, I think I went over each one 4 or 5 times. It is a very mild product. Don't give up, keep at it. The results are only going to get better.

[Fidel]

I agree with the above post. you do have to make multiple applications. this also depends on the type of plastic.

some times, for exterior plastic (such as lens, door visors...) I even take out my Rotary together with my spare polishing pad. this does the trick.

[roushstage2]

I use the Mothers Powerball on an electric drill

[dnoraker]

I have used PlastX in the past with great results, though noticable scratches are hard to get out because you have to remove plastic to get to the level of the scratch. I've recently been using the #10/#17 combo of plastic cleaner and polish and gotten even better clarity, but I can't tell if it's doing any more with the scratches.

How does #10/#17 compare with PlastX in function?

[dnoraker]

Sorry - should have read clear plastic forums more..... I see now that the #10/#17 combo isn't as aggressive as PlastX. I did, however, get increased clarity after using it.

[TKDDAD]

Originally posted by roushstage2
I use the Mothers Powerball on an electric drill

Where would one find a Powerball ?...never heard of it....thanks..

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,


Though Meguiar's does not recommend it, I use PlastX with the PC (speed 4) and a W-9006 Finishing pad for cleaning headlights. After a couple of applications, you wil be amazed at how much better the lights will look!

Tim

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by dnoraker
How does #10/#17 compare with PlastX in function?

They compare differently because they are different products.

Meguiar's Clear Plastic Products
Here is the complete collection of products Meguiar's offers for working with clear plastics both by hand and machine.


Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish



The finishing touch for maximum clarity and brilliance. Meguiar’s Plastic Polish provides the second step in our two-step restoration process for clear plastics. One easy application protects surfaces previously cleaned with our M-1708 Plastic Cleaner. You will reveal the materials natural brilliance, while leaving behind an anti-static coating that helps repel damaging dust and dirt.




Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner



Safely removes hairline scratches, dirt and grime. Clear plastic that has lost its clarity due to significant contamination and fine scratches should be treated using our two-step process. Meguiar’s non-abrasive, alcohol-free Plastic Cleaner aggressively cleans and removes scratches without harming the surface. Follow up with our M-1008 Plastic Polish for a perfect finish.




Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Detailer



A single-step solution that keeps clear plastic surfaces pristine. Regain the original crystalline clarity of plastic in need of restoration, using this convenient all-in-one product specially formulated by Meguiar’s. Simply spray it on and wipe it dry. You will safely remove surface contamination and achieve dramatic results on everything from window panels and instrument lenses to eyeglasses, CD's and picture frames.




PlastX



This easy to use, rich gel formula quickly restores optical clarity to both rigid and flexible plastics. Cutting-edge advancements in Meguiar's exclusive Microscopic Diminishing Abrasive Technology, (MDAT), removes light oxidation, chemical degradation, surface contamination, stains and light surface scratches with ease. In addition, because our microscopic diminishing abrasives breakdown as you use them, PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish is safe on plastic rear windows on convertible tops, aircraft windows, motorcycle fairings, face shields, headlights and taillights, instrument panels, all clear plastic boat surfaces and aquariums. Meguiar's PlastX also contains highly water-resistant polymers. These specialized hi-tech polymers provide long lasting durable protection to keep your clear plastics clear and beautiful longer. PlastX is non-toxic and does not contain any harsh solvents.



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Meguiar's teaches the philosophy of using the least aggressive product to get the job done. We also teach that surfaces, in this case clear plastic, need to be maintained. Maintaining a surface is an ongoing process, not a one time procedure. Thus in order of aggressiveness...

M10 Plastic Polish - Completely non-aggressive. This is a pure polish that is formulated to restore optical clarity and maintain clear plastic surfaces. M10 Plastic Polish should be used on plastic surfaces in excellent shape to maintain them, and/or after a neglected plastic surface has been pre-cleaned using a dedicated plastic cleaner such as M17 Plastic Cleaner, or PlastX. M10 Plastic polish leaves behind an anti-static surface.


M17 Plastic Cleaner - M17 is a light cleaning polish for clear plastics, it is non-abrasive and and perfect for removing stains, light oxidation and other contaminants off the surface. It can remove very light scratches out of soft plastics when worked thoroughly but gently against the surface. After cleaning with PlastX, for maximum optical clarity and to leave an anti-static finish, apply M10 Plastic Polish.


PlastX - PlastX is a unique plastic cleaner in that it contains a special microscopic diminishing abrasive that enables it to actually remove below surface scratches by removing small particles of plastic surrounding the scratches. After cleaning with PlastX, for maximum optical clarity and to leave an anti-static finish, apply M10 Plastic Polish.

Besides your choice of product, your choice of applicator material can also effect the aggressiveness or gentleness of a product. Meguiar's Hi-Tech Foam Wax applicators are a good choice for gentle cleaning and polishing. For more aggressive cleaning and polishing, try using a material with a nap such as 100% cotton toweling, or our Even Coat Applicators made out of microfiber.

Because clear plastic surfaces tend to be scratch-sensitive, remember that not only is your choice of product and applicator material important, but just as important is the quality and type of removal material, in other words, your wipe-off clothes or towels. For clear plastic surfaces, always use a premium quality microfiber polishing cloth, or a clean, soft 100% cotton terry cloth towel. Inspect your wiping-cloth before using to insure it is clean and free from contaminants and anything that cold instill a scratch into the plastic surface.

When working on plastic surfaces for the first time, and whenever you use a product for the first time, it's always a good idea to test the product, your applicator material and your application process, (In this case your hand and your skill level), in an inconspicuous area. If you cannot make a small area look good with your product, applicator and process, you will not be able to make the entire surface look good, so test first to be an the safe side.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Trick to PlastX

Originally posted by 05BlkAltima
I finally found a bottle of this stuff and I had I hopes for it. When I got home I tried it the plastic piece that covers the display of my factory stereo. Its full of fine scratches. When I applied PlastX with a sponge applicator I rubbed it in till it was virtually gone and then wiped down with a MF. Not the slightest improvement even after multi coats. Also I tried this on my wife's plastic windows are her vinyl rag-top. Full of scratches.

Two things,

Some plastics are very hard, (Like Lexan), and while they are very hard on the surface they still tend to scratch very easy, this is referred to as scratch-senstive, I'm not sure what your stereo display is made out of, but the fact that you state that it is full of fine scratches shows that it is scratch-sensitive.

When surfaces are very hard, the opposite is they are not very workable, that is it is difficult to remove small particles in an effort to smooth-out and level the surface to original appearance. This is not Meguiar's fault, it is the nature of the best.

Also, some plastics are covered with some type of film or laminate, or coating. In this situation, you are not working on the component itself, (a plastic display), but are in fact working on a coating covering a plastic display. Now you may be up against a very hard coating, and..., you are now working on something that is also more than likely very thin.

Here is an article I wrote that discusses the practical aspect of removing a scratch out of just about any surface material because regardless of the material, the process and the goal is the same.

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In order to remove a scratch out of anything, metal, plastic glass, paint, etc. You must remove material around the scratch until the surface is level or equal to the lowest depths of the scratch or scratches.

The below diagram if for paint, the the same thing applies to just about an surface material or coating.



In essences, you don't really remove a scratch, you remove material around a scratch.

Then the big question is, is the material or coating workable, as in can you abrade small particles of it and leave behind an original looking surface. For example, some things you can abrade, (remove the scratch), but you can never completely remove all of your abrading marks, thus you can't really fix the problem, all you can do is exchange one set of scratches of a different set of scratches.

The next questions is, how thick is the surface material you're working on or the coating. You are limited to what you can do by the thickness of these to things, (surface coating or surface material), and whether or not this surface is workable.

Sometimes you don't know what you can so until you try. It's always a good idea to test your choice of products, applicator materials and application process, (By hand or by machine), to an inconspicuous area. If you cannot make a small area look good with your product, applicator and process, you will not be able to make the entire surface look good. It's always a good idea to test first and error on the side of caution, versus make a mistake you cannot undo.