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Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:20 pm
by smeghead
Hi good people of Maxi-muppets. I wondered if anyone has any practical experience of a suitable scratch remover for plastics screens? It's for the caravan windows, both myself and a work colleague have 'vans and both have fine scratches on the windows, nothing deep you understand but fine and irritating when the sun shines on them.

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:44 pm
by JohnR93
I have used Xerapol. It does work but it's hard work...
[BBvideo 560,340]http://tinyurl.com/n6o8e7x[/BBvideo]

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:50 pm
by bornagainbiker
Yes and It can be got on eBay here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111227110422? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:55 pm
by JohnR93
Thanks BaB, I'd completely forgotten about a link to purchase it... Doh!

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:11 pm
by michaelphillips
has anyone used this on a car headlight :?: not sure if this would do the job but one of my headlight clusters is looking misty and slight green tinge to the outside, thanks in advance, not sure if there is owt else i could use :D

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 5:11 pm
by mottza
JohnR93 wrote:I have used Xerapol. It does work but it's hard work...
[BBvideo 560,340]http://tinyurl.com/n6o8e7x[/BBvideo]
+1

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 5:29 pm
by irev
Toothpaste can also work. Try small area first.

And leaves a minty fresh window...

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:33 pm
by Bluebottle
It depends on the material

Xerapol is for cleaning acrylic/Perspex. It has a small amount of solvent as well as abrasives so it can redistribute some of the material and fill the valleys as well as smooth the high points.
It is going to work better than toothpaste.

Xerapol isn't recomended for Polycorbanate which is much tougher but doesn't play nicely with some solvents (alcohol is OK, ammonia isn't )

Novus #1 or Novus No.1 is used on Polycorbonate

Polycarbonate is going to take more elbow grease to polish.

Most toothpastes contain abrasives, some contain mica crystals which will make a reasonable cutting paste for Polycarbonate. So it depends which toothpaste you choose.

The best source I've found for plastic care/polishing is boat chandlers. Boats have more care lavished on them so the staff tend to know more about the products they stock and have more materials technology knowledge. Sadly most of the motor trade know sod all about plastics and think they are all the same. Boat chandlers are your kiddy for plastic.

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:09 pm
by Dave Weller
Brasso can also be used to polish out scratches in plastics:

It is used to polish CDs, DVDs, screens, and pools in order to repair scratches. It is a mild solvent and an extremely fine abrasive, so when applied to the reflective surface of the disc and rubbed radially (in straight lines between the edge and center), it can smooth scratches and reduce their effect.[5][6][7]
you get good results with Brasso
Brasso has also been used by watch enthusiasts to polish scratches out of acrylic crystals on watches.[9]
Brasso can be used to clean Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges to remove dirt buildup that may have accumulated on the metal contacts over the years. This helps to create a better connection between the game cartridge and the 72-Pin connector inside the console, reducing the chances of glitching or freezing caused by a poor connection.
Brasso can be successfully used to take minor (white) heat marks out of French polished wooden surfaces. The fine abrasive cuts through the surface and allows the solvent into the wax and lacquer layer. The surface should be properly cleaned and waxed after this treatment.

Re: Screen scratch removers

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:27 pm
by Bluebottle
Go sparingly with polishing polycorbonate

It yellows and gets damaged by UV light so it usually has a silane coating to protect it.

Polishing will remove this layer making the item liable to light damage (yellowing and surface erosion/pitting)

Don't try to flame polish polycarbonate either