Hi, hoping someone can help. I am a total novice, signed up on the forum specifically to ask this question, because I've been looking at this topic for weeks and trying to get all the materials needed for scratch removal...thought i had everything, and now im stuck and confused.
I was using the instructions at the top of this old thread
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...-plexiglass-acrylic-polycarbonate-lexan.8113/
I know probably a bit unusual task for this forum (sorry!) but I am trying to remove scratches from a clear plastic bakery display case (perspex? polycarbonate? whatever, im not sure, just some kind of thick quarter or half inch plastic. I dont remember exactly what the material it is made of is, we bought it in a big sheet a few years ago and cut/build what I needed. ) This case is used outside daily to sell cookies. It has gotten so scratched over the last 2 summers that you cant even see into it anymore well, its scratched and cloudy. A new sheet is about 300 euro (plus the work in rebuilding a new case), and the stuff scratches when you look at it, practically, so id rather repair the case i have then keep getting new plastic, if possible.
The main part of the case is about 6 foot x 2.5/3 foot. it is scratched on both sides but moreso on the top (peoples purses, in and out of van, etc). the side pieces are scratched too, but the main piece is the primary concern.
I read the instructions in the linked thread and it seemed the materials were hard to get in ireland, so while i was in the states recently, i obtained and brought back with me the 3m compounds (though the second one is discontinued so i have a machine polish instead, which is what both 3m and an automechanic who clears headlights recommended) as well as 5 of each round 6 inch sander disk of 400, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 5000 grit. These were hard to find in the US in any small quantity and I'm told almost impossible to find in Ireland. A friend told me he had a ryobi orbital 6 inch sander here in ireland that I could use, so i sought out disks to fit that.
I thought I had everything I needed, however, as we walked out of the US shop where i got the sanding disks, it was mentioned that I needed to use a dual action sander because
"The sandpaper you have is meant for a d.a. it will work on a grinder but the scratches will be to aggressive and you will not be able to buff them out, it might possibly ruin the plastic and generate too much heat as well"
I dont think the ryobi is a dual action. (I think that means it moves both back and forth and in circles? and its somehow necessary? ) I am at the point where if necessary I will buy a sander/polisher if someone can point me in the right direction of what I would need. Cheaper is better for me at the moment as im unlikely to ever use it for anything else but polishing this case every 6 months or so. Noone where I live has any experience or advice on this.
I dont have access to compressed air so it needs to be an electric one, and the disks are 6 inches so i really need one that those disks will fit on as i dont think i will source them easily here in those fine grits. The pads that I have are velcro.
Much appreciated if anyone can help/refer me. The ONLY one i have found on the internet that seems to be available in ireland, 150mm (which i think my 6 inch disks should fit?) and half affordable is this one, but i dont even know if this is what i need to do the job. would prefer to pay less but will fork out for this one if necessary. https://www.iedepot.ie/car-machine-polisher-buffer-gmc
Thank you!
I was using the instructions at the top of this old thread
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...-plexiglass-acrylic-polycarbonate-lexan.8113/
I know probably a bit unusual task for this forum (sorry!) but I am trying to remove scratches from a clear plastic bakery display case (perspex? polycarbonate? whatever, im not sure, just some kind of thick quarter or half inch plastic. I dont remember exactly what the material it is made of is, we bought it in a big sheet a few years ago and cut/build what I needed. ) This case is used outside daily to sell cookies. It has gotten so scratched over the last 2 summers that you cant even see into it anymore well, its scratched and cloudy. A new sheet is about 300 euro (plus the work in rebuilding a new case), and the stuff scratches when you look at it, practically, so id rather repair the case i have then keep getting new plastic, if possible.
The main part of the case is about 6 foot x 2.5/3 foot. it is scratched on both sides but moreso on the top (peoples purses, in and out of van, etc). the side pieces are scratched too, but the main piece is the primary concern.
I read the instructions in the linked thread and it seemed the materials were hard to get in ireland, so while i was in the states recently, i obtained and brought back with me the 3m compounds (though the second one is discontinued so i have a machine polish instead, which is what both 3m and an automechanic who clears headlights recommended) as well as 5 of each round 6 inch sander disk of 400, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 5000 grit. These were hard to find in the US in any small quantity and I'm told almost impossible to find in Ireland. A friend told me he had a ryobi orbital 6 inch sander here in ireland that I could use, so i sought out disks to fit that.
I thought I had everything I needed, however, as we walked out of the US shop where i got the sanding disks, it was mentioned that I needed to use a dual action sander because
"The sandpaper you have is meant for a d.a. it will work on a grinder but the scratches will be to aggressive and you will not be able to buff them out, it might possibly ruin the plastic and generate too much heat as well"
I dont think the ryobi is a dual action. (I think that means it moves both back and forth and in circles? and its somehow necessary? ) I am at the point where if necessary I will buy a sander/polisher if someone can point me in the right direction of what I would need. Cheaper is better for me at the moment as im unlikely to ever use it for anything else but polishing this case every 6 months or so. Noone where I live has any experience or advice on this.
I dont have access to compressed air so it needs to be an electric one, and the disks are 6 inches so i really need one that those disks will fit on as i dont think i will source them easily here in those fine grits. The pads that I have are velcro.
Much appreciated if anyone can help/refer me. The ONLY one i have found on the internet that seems to be available in ireland, 150mm (which i think my 6 inch disks should fit?) and half affordable is this one, but i dont even know if this is what i need to do the job. would prefer to pay less but will fork out for this one if necessary. https://www.iedepot.ie/car-machine-polisher-buffer-gmc
Thank you!
