Fascia scratch removal

[Red]

As part of my resto, I've taken the dashboard out and I'm currently going about cleaning and repairing the instrument cluster, among other bits. So far so good, but I'm having a struggle removing all the scratches from the clear plastic cover.
So far I've tried:

T-Cut: Bit of a disaster that, it's too strong and actually made it worse in areas.
Toothpaste(!): Didn't really make much difference. It did make it smell minty fresh though!
Brasso: Seems to work, the scratches are coming off, but it's taken ages so far just to do a small area.

Now I've run out of stuff around the house, can anyone recommend anything that'll do the job? Or should I stick with the brasso and resign myself to using a lot of elbow grease?

Garry

1976 2.0 (soon to be 3.5!)FHC
http://reds-tr7.blogspot.com/

[Henk]

I should say Brasso, used it for watchlenses also.
But maybe this stuff; Renovo Plastic Window Polish works better.


http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8840&frostProductName=Renovo%20Plastic%20Window%20Polish%20(50ml)&catID=15&frostCat=Car%20Care&frostSubCat=Renovo&subCatID=25

Henk

1980 TR7 US Convertible
1978 Mini Clubman Estate

[FI Spyder]

I always use Novus #2 plastic polish for hard plastics.

http://www.novuspolish.com/



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[Rich in Vancouver]

I agree, Novus is a good product.
You should be able to find Novus or similar products at marine or aircraft supply outlets.

Rich

1975 TR7 ACL764U

[Rblackadar]

I used a cd scratch remover kit for less than 10 bucks....looks great!

[EntonoX]

You can also buy a new clear gauge plate? Don`t know what these cost today...

EDIT: only AEU1810 is new available in holland, costs 21 euro`s but that is no use if you have an early car with cable reset, because you then have a hole in the glass.

TR7, ACG 2700L

[Red]

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at those.

As far as I can make out, the new covers are NLA over here, so polishing it is.

Garry

1976 2.0 (soon to be 3.5!)FHC
http://reds-tr7.blogspot.com/

[paul w]

Robsport warned me that even the new old stock ones have scratches,so
i tried polishing them out.I agree with Henk that Brasso worked best.

See ya. Paul

[Ianftr8]

Hi Chaps,
I used a very cheap Motorcycle visor cleaner spray from Lidl or Aldi and that seems to have worked really well.

worth a go.

Cheers
Ian

Ian Freeman
1979 TR8 DHC California car that never crossed the pond
1962 Triumph Courier

[EntonoX]

Quick update on this:

As i am restoring a TR7 myself, i began yesterday with the instrument/speed panel. As i was looking at the facia i was shocked to see that i almost couldn`t look through it!

What i did to restore the facia was this:

- Clean the facia with water and make sure all dirt was off.
- Take sanding paper P1000 and wet sand the panel in circular motion.
- Take sanding paper P1200 and wet sand the panel in circular motion.
- Take a special polishing pad which is about P3000, this pad is from 3M and most car paintshops have these. Wet sand it with P3000 pad in circular motion.
- You now have a real smooth milk like surface.
- Take some toiletpaper and some Brasso copper polish and polish the facia in circular motion until the brasso is almost dry.
- Then quickly whipe off the brasso residue and polish the facia with some ordinary car wax/polish.

Voila, your brand new facia! please not that the P3000 pad is absolutely necessary, without it you can`t get the ultra clear finish.
-

TR7, ACG 2700L