How to clean / polish instruments cluster lens?

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kursplat

kursplat

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i'd like to polish out the minor scratches in my clusters lenses. any suggestions what to use or methods? or talk me out of it. they're in great shape, but while it's apart, why not?

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I use gel-gloss. Best product i have found so far. Not so much for removing scratches.but they Sure clean up nice.
 
kursplat said:
i'd like to polish out the minor scratches in my clusters lenses. any suggestions what to use or methods? or talk me out of it. they're in great shape, but while it's apart, why not?

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I use Meguires polish and a soft cloth by hand and it works good.
Replaced my speedo lens with lexan next time I had it out.
 
Typically you would punctuate the end of a sentence with a question mark if it is in fact a question.

"How to clean / polish instruments cluster lens'"
 
69FBCuda said:
Typically you would punctuate the end of a sentence with a question mark if it is in fact a question.

"How to clean / polish instruments cluster lens'"
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i could be asking a question, or i could just be advising everyone i'm looking to be ordered around on how to do this, or this could be the venus flytraps of threads where i've lured others into thinking i know a good way to do it, and then don't. either way, sorry for the confusion.

thanks TB & TJ
 
I got it from the start, I knew what he ask, most mechanics are what we are, not professors, so if that offends you then f-off.
 
4spdragtop said:
I used the 3M headlight resto kit. Be gentle take your time(dont burn lens) works awesome.
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Interesting. Never thought of that. Gel-gloss is near effortless so i will stick with it. Works wonders on chrome too.
 
kursplat said:
i could be asking a question, or i could just be advising everyone i'm looking to be ordered around on how to do this, or this could be the venus flytraps of threads where i've lured others into thinking i know a good way to do it, and then don't. either way, sorry for the confusion.

thanks TB & TJ
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My apologies, long night/day at the hospital with mother. Guess I got my "stubborn" from her!
Cheers,
Art
 
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Meguiar's #3 machine glaze works very well for me. Polishes Lexan and other clear plastics to look clear as glass for me.
 
I have had good luck with the Novus plastic polishes, been using them since the late 70's. It will remove fine scratches and swirls. Comes in a kit with a coarser compound, a fine compound and a final polish. I use it on everything from motorcycle windshields to helmet face shields, aircraft windows, tail light lenses, gauges, sunglasses, basically anything made of acrylic or polycarbonate plastic. Can be applied by hand or by machine.
 
Believe it or not, i've used toothpaste and a soft cloth before with excellent results.
Toothpaste has a mild abrasive in it that does the trick.
Just use regular Crest or similar, and clean after with some windex.
Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!
 
thanks everyone. think i'll start with Gel Gloss as it seems to be the mildest, and if need be, work up from there
 
If you can get to both sides I have just used white rouge and a loose buffing wheel,
mine is a 3/4 HP Baldor with 3, 1/2x10" wheels together on one side. You have to be careful not to burn them but I have cleaned head lights that someone used bug spray on them to polish, DON'T do that it melts the lexan and makes them a mess. They came out like new with very little work. It works on tail lights, I have only done motorcycle ones but have done a bunch of old Triumph's that were in very bad shape and they came out great.
 
Careful with a buffing wheel you can easily burn plastic.

I have had luck with a wash cloth and Brasso.
 
brian6pac said:
If you can get to both sides I have just used white rouge and a loose buffing wheel,...
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trapster said:
Careful with a buffing wheel you can easily burn plastic.

I have had luck with a wash cloth and Brasso.
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ya, for someone that has practiced, i'm sure they come out great. i'm not going to start my apprenticeship on this though :eek:
 
As I mentioned I used the 3m kits. Works great and used them on tail light lenses. Works great for those as well.
 
Dartnut said:
Believe it or not, i've used toothpaste and a soft cloth before with excellent results.
Toothpaste has a mild abrasive in it that does the trick.
Just use regular Crest or similar, and clean after with some windex.
Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!
Click to expand...
Beware of windex. I cleaned an old 65 taillight lens with that and it crazed before my eyes! I dont know what was in that bottle but it was like watching something ice up in fast motion. very strange......could have been crazed before but invisible and this stuff got in the cracks and made them visible?
 
I've had negative results with alky type cleaners as well - some tend to 'dry' the plastic and leave/produce a white residue. Post no.13 mentioned using a clear urethane. I've successfully used clears from Krylon or Duplicolor to coat well-used taillight or parking lenses - with excellent results. Totally clean parts with no waxes, silicones or lint is a must. Extra prep produces excellent results but spray should be warm - as per instructions. Cluster lenses are more 'fragile' - as being thinner and totally clear so best to use some of the previously suggested (polishing) products.
 
pishta said:
Beware of windex. I cleaned an old 65 taillight lens with that and it crazed before my eyes! I dont know what was in that bottle but it was like watching something ice up in fast motion. very strange......could have been crazed before but invisible and this stuff got in the cracks and made them visible?
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Hmmm.
Food for thought, thanks!
I have never had it happen to me, the crazing I mean of course.........
 
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