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04-01-2007, 06:02 PM
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#1
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New Member
2005 19' International CCD
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
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Buffing "Smoked" Acrylite?
We are the proud owners of a "new" 2005 19' Bambi International CCD. One of the cosmetic "fixes" that we want to make is to repair an area on the front "smoked" window cover (rock guard?). It looks as though someone tried to clean the material or remove residue in a roughly 4" x 4" area.
After searching and reading many of the posts on this site (I feel like I know many of you now), I have found some information that comes close to answering my question, but what I'm wondering is if that material (Acrylite?) can be buffed/polished, and would that remove some or all of that "scratching". Is this the material that AS claims can be rubbed with steel wool? If so, that is what looks like was tried for fun and failed. Would Walburnize be an effective remedy?
Thanks for all of your great insight.
Doug Phillips
Eugene, OR
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04-01-2007, 07:06 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,705
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Buffing "Smoked" Acrylite?
Greetings Doug!
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Airstream ownership!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thumper
We are the proud owners of a "new" 2005 19' Bambi International CCD. One of the cosmetic "fixes" that we want to make is to repair an area on the front "smoked" window cover (rock guard?). It looks as though someone tried to clean the material or remove residue in a roughly 4" x 4" area.
After searching and reading many of the posts on this site (I feel like I know many of you now), I have found some information that comes close to answering my question, but what I'm wondering is if that material (Acrylite?) can be buffed/polished, and would that remove some or all of that "scratching". Is this the material that AS claims can be rubbed with steel wool? If so, that is what looks like was tried for fun and failed. Would Walburnize be an effective remedy?
Thanks for all of your great insight.
Doug Phillips
Eugene, OR
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All of the side windows on my Minuet are Acrylic, and I have found products offered by Aircraft Spruce Company to be among the best care products available. The links below are to some of the products that I have used and found produce good results in cleaning/polishing:
At best, none of these will remove deep scratches, but the last is particularly good with removing surface scratches from too aggressive cleaning. It is important to first try each of these products in an inconspicuous place as they react differently with different plastic forumlations.
Good luck with your project!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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04-01-2007, 07:44 PM
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#3
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New Member
2005 19' International CCD
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
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Thanks Kevin. Appreciate the VERY quick reply. One thing I forgot to ask is about application. Would you use an orbital buffer (or similar) to apply the Flight Jacket Plexi-Coat or the Scratch Off Windshield Repair material?
That Aircraft Space resource is dandy. Thanks for the links.
Doug
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04-01-2007, 07:53 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,705
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Buffing "Smoked" Acrylite?
Greetings Doug!
I have always done all of my acrylic window cleaning/polishing by hand as I wanted to avoid any possibility of overheating the surface of the plastic -- it probably takes more time, but thus far it has worked well for my needs on the Minuet.
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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04-01-2007, 08:29 PM
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#5
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_
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, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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hi doug...
i cleaned a section of one panel with an abrasive squeegie...
a real dumb move.
i've had good results with the plastic care products from meguiars...
Car Care Products: Car Waxes to Leather Cleaners, Meguiar's the Leader in Car and Surface Care since 1901
specifically these 3 items...
meguiars.com: E-Store /Professional (Mirror Glaze Brand)>Clear Plastic Care
they also make an 'all in one' product called plastix...
these products are very very mildly abrasive...
so it is hard to make the problem worse (that's a good thing)
and they have light fillers that improve the look,
but require repeat application every few months...
not unlike car wax.
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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04-02-2007, 05:30 AM
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#6
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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you might try regular toothpaste and a soft cloth on a small test area.
i have used it on motorcycle wind screens with some success.
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
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04-02-2007, 08:05 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1963 16' Bambi
1955 22' Flying Cloud
Yreka
, California
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,313
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Use the tooth paste. It is the finest rubbing compound you can get. I use to have an airplane that has all plastic windows. The best thing I found to keep them clean is Pledge. If you use it on a regular basis, it makes a protective coating that makes removing the bugs much earier. On the plane I cleaned the windows before each flight and after each flight. Also you should rinse with water before each cleaning. Never use Windex type cleaners on plastic. When you rinse with water use a very soft cloth and touch the window ever so lightly. This is to remove any loose dust. The dust works like fine sand paper if you don't remove it first. This seems like a lot of work. I was able to keep the windows on my plane good for the 18 years I owned it. Also when cleaning plastic always use light pressure. It takes time, but remember time is money.
Don
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04-02-2007, 09:10 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thumper
We are the proud owners of a "new" 2005 19' Bambi International CCD. One of the cosmetic "fixes" that we want to make is to repair an area on the front "smoked" window cover (rock guard?). It looks as though someone tried to clean the material or remove residue in a roughly 4" x 4" area.
After searching and reading many of the posts on this site (I feel like I know many of you now), I have found some information that comes close to answering my question, but what I'm wondering is if that material (Acrylite?) can be buffed/polished, and would that remove some or all of that "scratching". Is this the material that AS claims can be rubbed with steel wool? If so, that is what looks like was tried for fun and failed. Would Walburnize be an effective remedy?
Thanks for all of your great insight.
Doug Phillips
Eugene, OR
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Good posts above.
It's my understanding that Lexan is the material you were refering to that you can use steel wool on. I would assume that would be a fine steel wool.
Dave
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04-02-2007, 02:57 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,060
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I worked on subway cars and we went through alot of lexan from graffiti and the car wash schedule the fleet maintained - meaning I fished more than a few pieces out of the dumpster. Once you get the polycarbonate with pits and swirls it gets hard to see through when there is any glare from light sources. Rainex cures it admirably, fills the pores and such. Remember its for ugly plexiglass only - the stuff is persistent and I'd never recommend it for new plastics, but for a final glaze on that 4"x4" segment it may help it become invisible...
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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04-02-2007, 06:26 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Novus Plastic Polish......
......comes in 3 grades and does a really nice job on most acrylics. There is also a product developed for the aircraft industry called MicroMesh that includes a couple of polishing agents and about 8 grades of abrasive papers going as fine as 4000grit. It's so smooth it feels like regular paper, but it does a great job when you follow the complete instructions.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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