Clear plastic

[Old Nasty]

This has probably been covered before but I can't find it.  I'm currently working on a vintage ('93) kit I found on Ebay that was pretty much in tact.  The window glass was tightly wrapped in some sort of cellophane.  Upon unwrapping it there remained some sort of impression in the plastic that won't wash off.  I've tried washing it off with mild soap but it's still cloudy with whatever residue came from the wrapping.  My question is can this be polished or buffed out?  What should I use to get nice clear plastic without this cloudiness?  Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Bainford]

The glass can be polished just the same as polishing paint. If the damage is very light, use Tamiya polishes (or your favourite brand) Course, Fine, & Finish, and follow up with Tamiya wax. If the damage is more significant, use a fine sandpaper such as 1500 or 2000 grit and wet sand the glass until the damage is gone. Then start polishing using your favourite paint polishing method. I use Micromesh pads wet, up to at least 8000 or 12000, then Tamiya polish in Fine and Finish. I finish off Tamiya wax, but if any decals are to be applied to the glass, don't use wax until they are applied. Be careful as the clear plastic is quite brittle and the slippery glass is hard to hold and easy to break during the polishing stage.

[SfanGoch]

You can use toothpaste to polish the clear plastic in a pinch if you don't have other polishing products on hand. It might take a bit longer; but, it works.

Edited February 15, 2022 by SfanGoch

[Ace-Garageguy]

45 minutes ago, SfanGoch said:

You can use toothpaste to polish the clear plastic in a pinch if you don't have other polishing products on hand. It might take a bit longer; but, it works.

And it leaves your model smelling minty-fresh too.  

[peteski]

There is a possibility that the clear wrapping material (something like the soft-stretchy-clingy Saran Wrap) has leached its plasticizer into the clear plastic (sort of like the "tire melt" problem).  So the plastic itself might be slightly deformed and softened.  In that case it will be difficult to fix it.

[Mike C.]

I also go with the treat it like polishing paint theory. I have used this product in the past. It's made specifically for clear plastic like motorcycle face shields and the like. I must have had this bottle for like 15 to 20 years.

[SfanGoch]

Novus products would work, too.

[Old Nasty]

7 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

You can use toothpaste to polish the clear plastic in a pinch if you don't have other polishing products on hand. It might take a bit longer; but, it works.

I thought of that but wasn't sure.

[Old Nasty]

I tried good old fashioned fluoride tooth paste.  Although not perfect, it's much better than it was.  Thanx to all for your suggestions.  I always prefer the simplest solutions.

[peteski]

Fluoride is not going to make a difference.  Pretty much all toothpastes contain fluoride (to strengthen tooth enamel). The important point is to use white colored toothpaste, not the translucent gel type.  The white toothpaste contains mildly abrasive polishing agent, while the gel type does not.

[Rick L]

9 hours ago, peteski said:

Fluoride is not going to make a difference.  Pretty much all toothpastes contain fluoride (to strengthen tooth enamel). The important point is to use white colored toothpaste, not the translucent gel type.  The white toothpaste contains mildly abrasive polishing agent, while the gel type does not.

And don’t forget to floss.

[gary jackson]

so i suck at winshields   what would be an alternative product that i could cut about twenty of them so i might get one in clean lol

[Straightliner59]

If you have or get some clear sheet, you can mount the kit's windshield to some sort of base, and heat-form the sheet over it. I use this method for virtually every windshield I do. It's much clearer, and thinner. It looks much better!

[gary jackson]

I HAVE A 30S COUPE SO IT JUST NEEDS TO BE FLAT   WOULD THE EVERGREEN PLASTIC BE GOOD    WHAT THICKNESS FOR FLAT WINDSHIELD

 

[Straightliner59]

Just now, gary jackson said:

I HAVE A 30S COUPE SO IT JUST NEEDS TO BE FLAT   WOULD THE EVERGREEN PLASTIC BE GOOD    WHAT THICKNESS FOR FLAT WINDSHIELD

 

I think they make it in .005" and .010". The .010" works well. It thins slightly as it's stretched.

[Straightliner59]

3 minutes ago, gary jackson said:

I HAVE A 30S COUPE SO IT JUST NEEDS TO BE FLAT   WOULD THE EVERGREEN PLASTIC BE GOOD    WHAT THICKNESS FOR FLAT WINDSHIELD

 

If I was home, I could share some photos of the results. I won't be off work until later, tonight.