pologuy

Anyone know of anything to use that would take out swirls and small scratches in the clear plastic instrament panel cover?

<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

mideastmafia

rubbing compound. dont rub too hard.

SHAUN

pologuy

Rubbing compound??

Are you sure?

Seems like that would make more swirls and scratches in the clear plastic over the instrament cluster??

<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

jim968

I _think_ that there is a plastic polish for aircraft windows & plastic cnvertible rear windows. ISTR that Meguiar's makes a variety of it. Dunno where you'd get it, but maybe a little net research with Google will turn up a source. There are also specific plastic cleaning materials to avoid this problem.

The swirls are likely the result of someone dry-wiping the panel when it was dusty... dust is a _great_ abrasive! (This is why I've always doubted the "California Duster" and waterless car wash products.)

Jim, not gonna do product experimentation on my paint...

Perry 951

Some very fine rubbing compound will work, but make sure it is safe for plastics. Some compounds have mineral spirits in them.. no good for plastic unless you want it to look like a dirty milk jug.

I second Jim's suggestion. Meguiar's makes a great plastic cleaner and compound. They are in white bottles with blue lettering. Used it on a faded 911 rear window with great results many years back.

Deepice

this came off of Meguir's site

CLEAR PLASTIC & WINDOW TINTING
Maintaining clear plastics and window tinting is a delicate matter. These materials can easily scratch and lose their original clarity. We highly recommend the use of Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner Polish to safely remove surface contaminants and gently restore optic clarity. Use it on window tinting, convertible rear windows, instrument panel lenses, helmet face shields, sun glasses and hundreds of other clear plastic surfaces.

scular

3M also makes a product specifically for removing swirls out of clear acrylic and other plastics.

pologuy

Thanks guys,

i just ordered them off of their website. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

PSUice944

The cheap way is to use juuuuust a litle baby oil, it works for at least a little while...

You ever notice how a fingerprint is clearer than the swirls? Same concept.

HTH

Irish

I have used the Meguiars plastic polish for many years. It can be found at many motorcycle or aircraft supply stores and comes in a blue bottle with whiter letters. Keep in mind that I have been using the same bottle since 1977 so the label could have changed.

I used some to polish my guages on the 944S just a few weeks ago and it worked fine. It is made for plexiglas applications.

smokey

Lemon Pledge.

Steve in New Hampshire

I've used Meguiars plastic polish and the Griots Garage plastic polish...both do a fine job of clearing up the plastic. I'd hesitate using anything not specifically made for plastic...for fear of creating an expensive mess!!

MadMax

The Meguiar's Plastic Polish is available at most PepBoys parts stores. At least the one in my town carries it. Good luck. I wouldn't use the rubbing compound. Stick with the plastic polish unless you are talking about really deep scratches. If that is the case you may need to try rubbing compound or some type of metal polish. READ THE LABLE before you use it. Start with the lowest, least abrassive polish you can get...most likely the plastic polish and then move up from there in abrassiveness until your swirl marks are gone. Then work your way back down to minimal abrassiveness to really polish up the surface.

Good luck, Max

Sean

You might try Sprayway glass cleaner. It's not ammonia based, and is supposedly safe on plastic. You can get it for $5 a can at Restoration Hardware (supposedly some Wal-Marts carry it for cheaper).

A lot of Boxster owners tout Plexus for cleaning the plastic rear window. I assume it would work well on the instruments too (I have not tried this though).