Thread: Need some help on cleaning acrylic, plastic clear scales

I need some help with clear acrylic, plastic scales that turned yellowish.
Don't have pictures yet, so...you'll have to do without
But then again, you all now clear acrylic that turned yellow right

How do I clean them properly to get them nice and clear again??

Thanks in advance!

The discolouration may be due to a number of causes, some if which may have effected the entire scale. In this case you might be best to lightly sans an polish to get the surface to a good condition and consider the yellow colour added character.

It might be easy to tell with se pics.

Stu

Thanks for the reply
got some pictures here.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/7/8...08320685_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/7/8...08320699_o.jpg

I personnaly think I could get them clear again.
Just don't know how...

There are several mild abrasives you could use like Cap Cod Polishing Cloths. They sell a preparation call Polywatch which is specifically designed for acrylic watch crystals. It will remove minor scratches and polish up the surface and remove yellowing due to aging and minor stains.

Personally I would be tempted to try one of the automotive headlight restoring kits. I don't know if they are available in your area or not, but they are pretty common here and inexpensive.


-Xander

I've seen plenty of those. Dismantled the scales. wet sandpaper inside and outside of scales, 220 to 2500 and final polish on the buffer. They won't turn completely white again but they can turn our pretty close.

Originally Posted by Dimitry

Thanks for the reply
got some pictures here.

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/7/8...08320685_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/7/8...08320699_o.jpg

I personnaly think I could get them clear again.
Just don't know how...

Looking at the pictures I am concerned that the scales are
decomposing based on the corrosion pattern. A light
wax or even mineral oil is in order -- ASAP.

Light oil or wax will fill in surface cracks and
give you some indication if surface polishing
will get you an improvement. In this case
I believe that the scales are decomposing and
can have rather deep issues. If the internal
volume of the scales is not clear then a polish
will not help. Research Renaissance Wax.

Someone mentioned headlight polish. I would add
kitchen glass top stove polish and a good toothpaste.
If you have headlights with the newer plastic cover that are
anything but clear go for the headlight cleaner. Days are
getting short and hazy headlights will blind oncoming traffic!
For us in north of the equator this is timely.

Sneak up on any polishing process and no power tools.

EDIT:
Compare and contrast Acrylic and Celluloid.

I would seriously consider not doing anything with them immediately. I may be wrong, but it looks like they are the victims of cel rot. Judging from the tarnish pattern on that blade and having had the same exact situation with a Dubl Duck Satinedge in the past, I would have second thoughts about ever using those scales again. I hope I'm wrong and just erring on the side of caution . . . . but . . . .

Regards - Walt

I use plastix headlight lens polish on acrylics and it helps clean them up but you won't ever really get them crystal clear again.

Originally Posted by UPD

I use plastix headlight lens polish on acrylics and it helps clean them up but you won't ever really get them crystal clear again.

I use the same thing and it works great!