Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => Other Bikes => Topic started by: Laverda Dave on May 17, 2019, 07:01:06 PM
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Has anybody out there had any experience of re-polishing smoked perspex screens? I bought a genuine Honda nose fairing for the CB250RSA recently. Menno has done a fantastic job repainting the fairing to original colours with decals supplied by Piki. The smoked perspex screen was badly marked and I have tried everything I know to remove the marks without success. I used a headlight restoration kit with 1500, 2000 and 3000 grade wet and dry paper with soap and water followed by fine polishing paste. I have also tried Quixx acylic polish and Meguiar PlastX polishing compound and even Brasso as it was recommended on YouTube! Nothing has made any improvement, the scratches left by the wet and dry still exist although they are very fine, the screen is left dull and opaque. I have spent hours doing this, it's driving me nuts!
Has anyone polished fairing screens before with any success and what did you use? Alternatively, can anyone recommend a company who can polish it or make a new screen?
Any suggestions welcome at this stage!
Thanks All, Dave.
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Have you tried toothpaste? Maybe add a little talc.
Or Autosol.
You can use WD40 to thin it
Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk
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https://silkyleisure.co.uk/
The cream paste from above manufacturer works on acrylic surfaces. I've used it with damp sponge and pressure it to get it to "cut" surface deterioration from polycarbonate headlight lens. It is mild though.
We used Brasso on photographic negatives to clean base scratches when damaged. They could be enlarged afterwards because it is very very fine, maybe useful for close to final finishing but I'd not expect it to take out any significant discrepancies, you'd probably be polishing for a year with it :)
Acrylics in boating may yeald helpful contact for refinishing resin gel coat surfaces.
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I used to use Farecla G3 on my GRP yacht hulls. Removes small scratches a treat and polishes at the sane time.
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Thanks all, some good ideas there.
I'll try the toothpaste, talc and solvol methods first simply because I've got some! I did read smokers toothpaste is good as it's abrasive and specially made for the 60 a day Woodbine crowd! If these don't work I'll try the boat or caravan polish method's, it's all getting a bit expensive!
I'll post how I get on, I'd like to fit the fairing in time for the Critch meet-up if possible. Just waiting for the return of the plating.
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I have used toothpaste before and it worked OK ... and gave my Gpz fairing a fresh minty smell. Wasn't troubled by plaque or decay....
Solvol, T-Cut, Brasso .... tried them all...either didn't effect the surface at all, left a residual dullness, or seemed to do more harm than good. I also learnt the hard way NEVER to try any kind of mechanical polishing tool as it takes very little heat to ruin the surface on a screen.
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Thanks for the additional tips SumpMagnet.
Yes, I found out the hard way about using mechanical polishing methods and how it dulls the surface even when soaking the piece with water. I've tried two headlight polishing kits with any success.
I've been using 1500, 1800 and 2000 grit wet and dry followed by baking soda toothpaste with some added talc and soapy water. This has got rid of the fine scratches although it has left the screen dull. As you say, Solvol and Brasso are both useless. I'm now using some specific acylic polish to try and restore the shine but it's hard work by hand. I think I've spent a good 10 hours on it so far, very slow progress!
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Go as far as 2500 wet and dry and try this, it works well on acrylic windows.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-Fenwicks-Windowize-Caravan-Plastic-Window-and-Acrylic-Scratch-Remover/233228291922?epid=1206265562&hash=item364d7d4f52:g:zDsAAOSwxzBc2rkh
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0gLNCy8wvM
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Well, the screen is finally polished! I refitted it to the fairing painted by Menno, decals by Piki, chrome by Gary.
I mounted the fairing to the bike yesterday and took it for its MOT this morning.
On the way home I stopped off at Ruislip Lido and took the opportunity to park up next to the beach area to take a photo of the bike as a 'homage' to the original Honda sales brochure for the 1980 CB250RSA, my location was not quite so exotic as Honda's!
Thanks to everyone here for their advice for polishing products.
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Hi , I’ve gone through the process with wet/dry grades then Sprayed with clear coat 2pack as we have done with faded plastic car headlights with great results. .... hope this is some help ....