#83 vs. Wet Sanding for plastic lens

[C32 AMG]

Any tried using #83 for removing minor scratches on plastic headlight lens? I got some scratches on one of my len and I have no experience using wet sanding method on clear plastic.

Please help!

[97t-bird]

If the scratches arent really that bad your could always go with plastx or the professional cleaner and plastic polish not sure of the numbers but i have had good results with plastx and the g-100. Hope that helps. Greg.

[C32 AMG]

I can feel the scratches barely by my finger nails. Do you think Plastx will able to remove them?

Also, do you use G-100 to remove the scratches? If so, what will be the speed and which foam applicator should I use?

Thanks.

[black240sx]

I've used #83 to polish polycarbonate plastic. I used it with a 4" cutting pad, and it took many applications. I recommend you go the wet sanding route.

[Jeff Smith]

Have you tried this product from the Pro Line?

I have not tried it as yet but it is on my list of things to buy.

#10 Clear Plastic Polish

Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Yours is a common question. And I must give you the same warning I have given others.

Wet Sanding or even aggressive polishing of headlights can be risky if the headlight has a special coating on the lens as many now do. As you polish/sand, you will notice a white powder as a blotchy appearance starts to occur. This is the coating coming off of the plastic. Ask me how I know? Oops!

What is this coating is is anyone's guess. It could be for UV protection or something else. This could cause the lenses to yellow quicker over time.

My suggestion is to use Meguiar's PlastX. I have done this with a G100 and a polishing pad W-8006 on many many lights without an issue. The #10 Clear Plastic Polish that Jeff offered is more of straight polish and not a cleaner. In fact, it is what I use as a final coating on the plastic after the PlastX. It adds a little more sheen to the plastic but the real cleaning is done with the PlastX.

Tim

[Jeff Smith]

Good to know Tim, thanks. I would have assumed it was a Pro version of Scratch-X.

[C32 AMG]

One major question that I would like to ask:

Does Plastx contain any cutting / sanding compound? or Does it contain "Filling" compound?

One of the guy from the other discussion forum (he may be reading this thread ) suggested using #83 with 8006 pad to polish the scratches out of the lens.

I don't want to take risk because my headlights are expensive and I don't want to purchase a new one.

I believe my lens should have those UV protection coated.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by C32 AMG
One major question that I would like to ask:

Does Plastx contain any cutting / sanding compound? or Does it contain "Filling" compound?

One of the guy from the other discussion forum (he may be reading this thread ) suggested using #83 with 8006 pad to polish the scratches out of the lens.

I don't want to take risk because my headlights are expensive and I don't want to purchase a new one.

I believe my lens should have those UV protection coated.

Who, moi?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Yes, PlastX does contain a specialized diminshing abrasive. However, PlastX is formulated for plastic where #83 was designed for Clear Coat paint. Regardless of product, great care must be taken when buffing out the lenses.

As I said, I have polished many many lights with PlastX and just love the stuff. Top it with #10 and you should be pleased!

Tim

[C32 AMG]

Ha, the guy is here!

Maybe, I would try both products and see the result!

However, it may a little difficult for me to find the Polish Cleaner in here because msot of the retailers do not carry this product. The last one that I saw was 1/2 year ago in NAPA and filled with dust on the bottle.

By the way, if I use Plastx for testing, will they diminish the UV or what-so-ever on the len too?

Should I need to polish by hand or by G-100? What is the speed of the PC and which pad should I use? Should I expect to generate heat while doing this remedial?

Thanks.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by C32 AMG
Ha, the guy is here!

Maybe, I would try both products and see the result!

However, it may a little difficult for me to find the Polish Cleaner in here because msot of the retailers do not carry this product. The last one that I saw was 1/2 year ago in NAPA and filled with dust on the bottle.

By the way, if I use Plastx for testing, will they diminish the UV or what-so-ever on the len too?

Should I need to polish by hand or by G-100? What is the speed of the PC and which pad should I use? Should I expect to generate heat while doing this remedial?

Thanks.

The alternative to #10 is the 3M plastic polish, if you can find it....

Any product you use will diminish the UV coating, the key is to not remove too much of it to cut through completely.

I'd say you can start doing the polishing by hand, but if you find you need more umph, jump up to the G-100 with a W8006 pad. I'd start around speed 3-4, but you can jump up as high as speed 6 and still be safe. You'll just have to judge that based on what progress you're seeing as you work at it.

Keep in mind that with any polishing, you are going to generate some heat. However, I have never seen the G100 create enough heat to burn or melt anything, so as long as you aren't using a rotary I don't think it should be a major concern.

Good luck!

[C32 AMG]

Thanks.

I will start doing this by this weekend and hope it works!

[Richard E]

I have #17 Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner, and really like it. How does it compare to PlastX? Which has more cutting action?

I answered my own question. See:


http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6045

It appears that PlastX is a stronger scratch remover. #17 appears to be safer for delicate situations.