Scratch Removal from Plastic

[thr3squared]

I am trying to remove scratches from plastic (I believe acrylic), and was wondering if anyone has a recommended product (and technique) to use?

So far I tried this product from NOVUS (please don’t laugh if it’s junk), only because it’s been floating around my car cleaning supplies for years…think it was a gift? Anywho, it worked somewhat, but if possible I want the rest of the scratches gone.

Just as reference this is a windshield fairing for a Yakima roof rack. I didn’t realize when I installed it that is was symmetrical and had I just flipped it over I didn’t need to have the “Yakima” logo showing. After having used it a while the brackets left scratches on the un-branded side which I would now like facing forward.

Before:




After:

 

[thr3squared]

Woops - this is the product I tried.

 

[23ford]

We use WD40 spray on wait a minute then wipe off with soft cloth

 

[tncatadjuster]

Novus is the best product for plastic I have used, by a far margin.

 

[rlitman]

Novus is the best product for plastic I have used, by a far margin.

Agreed. Particularly the #2 fine polish and #3 deep scratch remover. The #1 is just a really decent plastic cleaner.
Anyway, Novus is what the pros all use on polished acrylic.

 

[Kuma601]

Novus works well. I've used the lime green buffing compound but have to go lightly as it does cut moderately. I'll sand acrylic to 600 to 1000 grit and a light touch on the buffer does it.

 

[thr3squared]

Agreed. Particularly the #2 fine polish and #3 deep scratch remover. The #1 is just a really decent plastic cleaner.
Anyway, Novus is what the pros all use on polished acrylic.

Ok this is great to know! Honestly, I had figured some of the bigger names in detailing supplies would have been the go-to’s

As far as the application do you use rag, buffer/orbital with a pad, etc?

I should have mentioned the after picture is having used the #3, with the cloth (more like thick paper towel) that came in the kit. The #2 didn’t do much

 

[thr3squared]

Novus works well. I've used the lime green buffing compound but have to go lightly as it does cut moderately. I'll sand acrylic to 600 to 1000 grit and a light touch on the buffer does it.

Hand sanding or with an orbital?

 

[P0234]

Get a headlight polishing kit with one of the drill attachments. Doing it by hand is a huge waste of time.

 

[Kuma601]

Hand sanding or with an orbital?

Hand. I've done some with the grinders but these are not spec pieces so the random look was part of the character. These are part of a batch of acrylic ice cubes made up for a food/beverage photographer some years back. Some were machine polished while others flame or heat gun polished.