Anyone know how to get scratches out of clear plastic

[mbach]

The clear plastic over the selector is scratched; it wasn't me but the vehicle has been towed and repaired so much I don't know who did it.
Anyone have a suggestion for repair?

PS. This was the exact situation I was trying to avoid by paying Ed Martin more than $110K.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Amazon product ASIN B002UCYRZU

 

[ChowChilla]

Amazon product ASIN B002UCYRZU

this stuff works, but ALOT of elbow grease!!!!!!

 

[Whiskerz]

Amazon product ASIN B002UCYRZU

This is your best choice.

 

[4wheelgreg]

PlastX by Meguiars

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Amazon product ASIN B002UCYRZU

Would this stuff work on polishing headlights? I have an '06 Avalon with plastic headlights that look like they've been sandblasted.

EDIT: I just looked throught the Amazon website and it looks like folks are using it on headlights.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Would this stuff work on polishing headlights? I have an '06 Avalon with plastic headlights that look like they've been sandblasted.

Yes. I first ran across Novus when I restored two old pinball machines. It made all the plastic parts look like new. It won't remove yellowing that goes all the way through plastic (some plastic discolors over time) but it will remove scratches and polish the exterior.

 

[bloc]

Would this stuff work on polishing headlights? I have an '06 Avalon with plastic headlights that look like they've been sandblasted.

EDIT: I just looked throught the Amazon website and it looks like folks are using it on headlights.

It will still take a TON of work. You are much better off having a detailing shop do it, or if you have access to a dual action sander and the right grit papers and buffing pads do it yourself.

Then use a good synthetic sealant wax often to keep it from happening again.

 

[grinchy]

Did you look to see how much a new one is?

 

[mbach]

Did you look to see how much a new one is?

I've not. I was going to give the polish a shot first.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

It will still take a TON of work. You are much better off having a detailing shop do it, or if you have access to a dual action sander and the right grit papers and buffing pads do it yourself.

Then use a good synthetic sealant wax often to keep it from happening again.

Ugh. Thanks for the info.
Maybe I can buy a hand-held polisher. I look at the cost of paying someone vs. the cost of the tools and if i they are close and I think I can do the job then I'll buy the tool and try it myself. So I've wound up with a LOT of tools over the years.

I'm a Makita guy...maybe one of these: Makita random orbit polisher PO5000C

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Try the polish before you buy the tool. You might be surprised and you can always buy the tool.

 

[bloc]

Ugh. Thanks for the info.
Maybe I can buy a hand-held polisher. I look at the cost of paying someone vs. the cost of the tools and if i they are close and I think I can do the job then I'll buy the tool and try it myself. So I've wound up with a LOT of tools over the years.

I'm a Makita guy...maybe one of these: Makita random orbit polisher PO5000C

That would work great. Plus with some research and experimentation you can do your own paint correction. I had it in my head as being really difficult & risky but it was actually quite easy, though my rig is white and that is very hard to mess up.
I’m on my phone so it’s hard to look up but I posted a thread on removing the grille and polishing the headlights. Has pictures of the results. They look great.

 

[Markuson]

Meanwhile... grab a can of Mother’s Mag & Aluminum polisher at an auto parts store

Scrub it on there...best with a rotating spong/polisher....wipe it off. It’s like magic. Not kidding.
You might not even feel the need to bother beyond that.
I can do a full headlight in 5-10 minutes.

Sounds crazy, I know. But ItWorks wonders.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Meanwhile... grab a can of Mother’s Mag & Aluminum polisher at an auto parts store

Scrub it on there...best with a rotating spong/polisher....wipe it off. It’s like magic. Not kidding.
You might not even feel the need to bother beyond that.
I can do a full headlight in 5-10 minutes.

Sounds crazy, I know. But ItWorks wonders.

I got a small jar and tried it with my electric cordless drill and a buffing pad. It worked pretty well - to a point. I spent about 30 minutes per lens and I was able to get almost all the haze off the lenses. The lenses look a LOT better but there is some stubborn haze left on the right lens that I can't seem to buff out. The paste didn't touch any of the pitting. This stuff may actually be too fine for what I have left to do. Better to start off with compound that's too fine than too coarse LOL.

I have a small bit of chrome on the Avalon and I'll try some of it on that.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Novus is made specifically for plastic, has been around a long time, does a great job, and comes in 3 different "grits". Just saying.