Swirls-marring on plastic windows

[74 thing]

I have been using the tried and tru #10/ #17 on my covertible plastic windows for years but recently I got a xenon light and noticed swirls in the plastic-they also show up at night when other cars headlights hit the windows. Anyway I know in order to remove swirls from paint you have to remove some of the paint so I imagine that the same goes for plastic. I got a stonger produce-plast-x and tried it last night by hand. Put on using a 100% cotton cloth and then removed with a microfiber. It seems that the plast-x put more scratches in the windows. I was not happy with the results (wish I stuck with #10 and #17) but will wash all the towels and microfibers I used and re-try another application again this weekend. Can you apply plast-x using the DA? I noticed that on the back of #10 or #17 it says you can but it did not state this on plast-x. Thanks-any tips/hints would be appreciated.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Swirls-marring on plastic windows

Originally posted by 74 thing
I got a stronger produce-PlastX-x and tried it last night by hand. Put on using a 100% cotton cloth and then removed with a microfiber. It seems that the PlastX-x put more scratches in the windows. I was not happy with the results (wish I stuck with #10 and #17) but will wash all the towels and microfibers I used and re-try another application again this weekend.

Just to note, I've used PlastX many time on both rigid and flexible plastic windows and have only had great results, so this could be a technique or application material related issue.

In fact I demonstrate using PlastX by hand to remove #1500 grit sanding marks out of Plexiglas at our Saturday classes always with great success.

Because PlastX contains a microscopic diminishing abrasive it is important that this product be worked against the surface but no so hard that your fingers instill scratches from too much pressure.

Flexible plastic windows are very soft and take a gentle touch to polish correctly.

Can you apply PlastX-x using the DA? I noticed that on the back of #10 or #17 it says you can but it did not state this on PlastX-x.

Thanks-any tips/hints would be appreciated.

I'm checking on our official statement on using PlastX by machine and should have that answer for you within an hour or so. I do know that some people have been applying PlastX by machine with excellent results and no problems.

I myself have used it on both rigid clear plastics and flexible clear plastics without any problems also. It could be a case like ScratchX where the product can become more difficult to remove if it becomes warmed or heated in the process but we're checking on that right now and after lunch is over we should have an answer.

One thing for sure, just like the G100 Dual Action Polisher takes a lot of the work out of polishing paint, it also takes a lot of the work out of polishing plastics and from what I've seen produces better results.

[74 thing]

Thanks for checking Mike. I think it may have been my application method-maybe not enough product or perhaps a final wipe down with a dirty cloth-thats why I want to give it another shot this weekend. If using a DA what pad-9006? also if applying by hand would you recommend one of the foam applicatiors or terry cloth or microfiber applicator?

[Mike Phillips]

For machine polishing I've had very good luck using our W-8006 foam polishing pad, (the yellow one).


For hand application on clear plastics, you want to choose your application material based upon what you're trying to do.

For heavier cleaning, you want to use something with a nap, such as our Even Coat Applicator or a piece of clean, soft terry cloth toweling.

For light cleaning, or final polishing you want to use a clean, soft piece of foam like our High-Tech Applicator Pad




Just as important is to make sure the cloth you use to remove any excess is also very soft as well as clean so that you don't put scratches back into the plastic after removing them.

A light coating of M10 Plastic Polish is a good option after using either M17 or PlastX to create maximum optical clarity while turning the surface anti-static.

[Paulvr4]

what speed on the G-100 for the clear plastic polish? not plastX.

I'm glad this forum exists.

Thanks!

[SiriusRIMZ]

I used #17 with a wool pad on plexiglass headlights with a rotary and was sucessful in removing 1200, and 1500 scratches.

I'm going to try using Plastx with a rotary foam pad later this week, going to compare the results.