|
Cabinet and Chassis Restoration and Refinishing For help with cabinet or chassis restoration (non-electrical), please leave a message here. |
|
Thread Tools |
6th Dec 2006, 8:45 pm | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Crawley Down, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 151
|
Restoring scratched perspex dials
I have just removed some quite deep scratches from the dial of a R500 Roberts radio. I had tried T-cut with little success. But try some Autosol metal polish!
Its come up like new. Keep it away from sign writing though
__________________
My Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/simonspiers |
6th Dec 2006, 9:20 pm | #2 |
Pentode
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 154
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
That's the stuff Si. I use a can of perspex polish I stole (Ooops, borrowed), from a company I worked for 37 years ago! It's just liked runny Solvol Autosol. I also use the same stuff in moderation on the mop of my buffing wheel, but in that situation you must use very little pressure 'cos of the heat generated which will melt perspex. And wear old clothes as you get showered in the debris!
__________________
The older I get, the faster I was! |
6th Dec 2006, 10:00 pm | #3 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,967
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
Quote:
Paul |
|
7th Dec 2006, 12:43 am | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2006
Location: St Albans, Herts, UK.
Posts: 2,193
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
Hello Paul.
I'd echo (or should it be Ekco ) your comments about the use of T-cut. It certainly brought up a very grubby National Panasonic "Commando 505" TV set that I was recently given. The only additional comment that I would make is not to let the stuff drip neat onto the plastic as it leaves a sort of white bloom. It also managed to completely clear all the scratches on the perspex detachable screen cover. I was well pleased and after freeing a jammed Line Hold core in its former, it works a treat and has pride of place next to my PC. All the best, Tas |
7th Dec 2006, 9:20 am | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 4,609
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
I have a tin of "Gramos" rubbing compound, used for car bodywork. This is the "medium" grade, so a bit coarser than T-Cut.
I use it on the worst scales/knobs/other plastic bits, then T-Cut, then Solvol Autosol or Brasso. Finally some Bake-O-Bryte from Chas Miller, and the bits come up like new.
__________________
Mike. |
7th Dec 2006, 10:11 am | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,593
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
Hello,
Yup, Autosol is a very abrasive cleaner, designed for chrome which is a very hard metal. I don't usually use it on perspex, SafeCut, TCut or Brasso is usually sufficient to remove scratches but I'm going to give this a try now on a dial from a Roberts set I have here which someone has scribbled all over. Howard |
8th Dec 2006, 11:42 am | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ayr, Ayrshire, UK.
Posts: 631
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
...or you could use the plastic polish made by Greygate
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSea...SAPLASTICCLEAN It's specially made for cleaning Perspex (not for cellulose acetate though) Regards, Andy
__________________
G-QRP #12697 |
10th Jan 2007, 3:36 am | #8 |
Pentode
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Scarborough , North Riding of Yorkshire
Posts: 202
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
Hi,
I find Brasso Is the best solution for cleaning perspex as it is LESS abrasive than Solvol Autosol ,T-Cut or rubbing compound , I would advise NOT to use a polishing wheel or powered mop as this can lead to the perspex to either over-heat or distort, I find using a soft cloth thike the yellow cotton dusters or an old cotton t-shirt works fine, I have recently done a turntable dust cover with brasso and a duster and it has come up like new, Just be patient and take your time. |
10th Jan 2007, 10:27 am | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK.
Posts: 1,698
|
Re: restoring scratched perspex dials
Tripoli compound works well on a soft cloth buffing wheel, with far less spatter than Brasso or other liquids, though as always with any thermoplastic, gentle pressure and cooling breaks are essential. Tripoli is a hard wax-based stick under various names - I know that Axminster have it, probably Screwfix and other similar suppliers. It is best reserved for the high speed wheel, though as it is relatively ineffective when used by hand.
-Tony |