Best Method to Polish ABS Bodies?

[Tommy R]

Hey folks,

I'm doing a bunch of work on an ABS body and certain parts of the original, glossy black body are scuffed or otherwise not as shiny as they once were. What is the best way to polish ABS to get it all nice and shiny again?

Here's the body I'm working on...a New Bright TJ.

[alexchen86]

Hey Tommy, I've read on a few model forums to use Meguiar's polish for mag and aluminum.
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...uminum-polish/

The one I have is Novus #2 for light scratches. Works great for removing haze and scratches off CD's too!
Novus Plastic Polish 7030

Just put it on some microfiber and polish away following the instructions.

[Hobine]

These things are for polishing acrylic pens. I find that they work well to remove scratches too deep for polishing compound alone.

http://www.woodpenpro.com/bushings_s...hing_pads.html

[Tommy R]

Thanks a lot, guys! I'll have to give them a try for sure. In addition, I'm hoping to polish the styrene to a shiny finish to match the ABS. I used styrene to extend the body so hopefully I can get it close!

[STANG KILLA SS]

i take it your trying to leave a natural finish. ie not have to paint the body?

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

i take it your trying to leave a natural finish. ie not have to paint the body?

Yessiree! I'm putting quite a bit of time/effort into the body so I won't have to use any fillers and won't have to paint at all. Not sure if that's feasible or not, but that's what I'm attempting. If it doesn't work out, I guess I'll paint it black, but I'd prefer to use no paint at all.

If my Boring Toyota has taught me anything, it's that I hate the look of a scratched up, painted body.

[STANG KILLA SS]

knowing how picky your are with finishes (lol how many clear coats on that yota?)
to get the seam to disappear will be quite a bit of wet sanding and polishing. but definatly is possible.
i do this on geting scratches out of the boats gel coat. very similiar process, but a scratch is a lot easier than glue joints. they will also sand and polish at different rates because of there difference in density/softness.
just depends on what your expecting as the final product.

[Tommy R]

I don't really need the seam to totally disappear. I just want it to not be such an eyesore. My bigger concern is if the styrene can be polished well enough to match the ABS?