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Old 07-13-2016, 11:40 AM   #1
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Question Best repair for scratched lexan?

Just wanted some opinions and ideas. I got some road rash on my lexan body and wondered how you guys think is the best way to fix it.
I've read about people buffing scratches out, and using heat to polish plastic .... but what do you guys think?
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Old 07-13-2016, 11:57 AM   #2
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

It you have some scrap meteral try light rubbing compound

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Old 07-13-2016, 12:25 PM   #3
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

You can buy polishing kits for lexan and other plastics at most hardware stores. They're typically intended for windows or vehicle headlights. I've thought about trying one of those but ultimately I choose not to bother - Polishing is a lot of work, and it's just gonna get destroyed next good run anyways...

If you need something pretty to look at while she's at home, just buy an extra body and use it as your shelf body..
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Old 07-13-2016, 02:27 PM   #4
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

You pretty much can't get scratches out of lexan. I tried the automotive stuff once. It helped a little but not much.

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Old 07-13-2016, 02:48 PM   #5
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

I sanded them out of my Wraith panels. Started out with 220 and 320 on an orbital and finished with 600, 1000 and 2000 wet by hand. I applied a clear coat at the end to restore the sheen. It was a pain in the ass and far from perfect but they ended up looking pretty good at the end.

Before:
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After sanding and new decals:
Name:  Panel During.jpg
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After clear coat:
Name:  Panel After.jpg
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Size:  173.5 KB
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Old 07-13-2016, 02:50 PM   #6
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

I use strategically placed decals if the road rash gets really noticeable, otherwise I don't worry about it.

Another way to think about it -> The scratches are really a badge of honor showing the rig isn't a shelf queen.
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Old 07-13-2016, 03:47 PM   #7
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

[QUOTE=mikebecher;5533474]I sanded them out of my Wraith panels. Started out with 220 and 320 on an orbital and finished with 600, 1000 and 2000 wet by hand. I applied a clear coat at the end to restore the sheen. It was a pain in the ass and far from perfect but they ended up looking pretty good at the end.

Thanks mike', that looks pretty good. I was thinking along those lines, was kind of curious how the clear would look. I'll probably go that route.

Quote:
Originally Posted by k7zpj View Post
I use strategically placed decals if the road rash gets really noticeable, otherwise I don't worry about it.

Another way to think about it -> The scratches are really a badge of honor showing the rig isn't a shelf queen.
Thanks, but this truck (my F-100 ) won't be getting any stickers. But you're right, they are just trophies from a day at the race-track.

Thanks to everybody for the posts.
I've done a little hand polishing on it before, with some fine compound, and gotten decent results. I have an old body I'm gonna experiment on, try different ways. I have some fuzzy little buffing wheels ordered for my Dremel, I"ll try them too. The clear-coat idea will probably win, more or less like a 1:1 repair.
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Old 07-14-2016, 08:02 PM   #8
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

This is a real thread?

If you're afraid to scratch lexan you're in the wrong friggin' hobby!

You know how you fix scratched lexan? Buy a new body.
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Old 07-15-2016, 11:53 AM   #9
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

I spent about 5 hours painting up a really nice E-Revo shell recently, and on the very first run I wheelied hard at about 25mph. It went straight on its lid and slid for about 75 feet. I totally trashed the roof.

I'm thinking about vinyl wrapping the roof with 3M carbon fiber wrap. lol.
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Old 07-15-2016, 02:33 PM   #10
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

Not afraid to scratch 'em, just don't always like the scratches. My crawler truck is scarred all over, but this is my on-road scale truck and I want it to be pretty.
I decided to go with the sand-and-clear plan. Pretty much a repair to the "clear-coat", just a lexan clear-coat.
Anyway, this was the before condition ....



... the top of the tailgate was about the same. So I masked it off and lightly sanded it with 320, with a little extra effort on the scratches, and it looked like this.



And after the first coat of clear lacquer I sanded it lightly with 800 wet, and shot another coat. Now this is how it looks ....



... and the tailgate top ....



.... which looks even better with the cover back on.




Not perfect (like mike' said ) but definitely better than the scratched up version. And I didn't have to drop another $50 and start all over.
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Old 07-15-2016, 03:15 PM   #11
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

As always, you do good work!
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Old 07-15-2016, 06:47 PM   #12
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

Quote:
Originally Posted by QuesoDelDiablo View Post
As always, you do good work!
Thank You, Sir. I'm usually my own worst critic .... and I'm happy with it.
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Old 07-16-2016, 11:04 AM   #13
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

Your little jewel is shining brightly again. Nice work.
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Old 07-16-2016, 07:21 PM   #14
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rerebuilder View Post
Your little jewel is shining brightly again. Nice work.
Thank y' Sir, yep, those scratches were keeping me awake, something HAD to be done.
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Old 07-17-2016, 11:00 PM   #15
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

I always use furniture polish it works geat to keep a fresh look. Learned that trick from a 1/4 scale racer

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Old 07-17-2016, 11:58 PM   #16
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

Any brand you suggest?

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Old 07-18-2016, 08:21 AM   #17
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

Floor wax works also, sorta fills the scratches and brings a shine back.

That is if anybody still waxes floors ....LOL
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Old 07-18-2016, 03:52 PM   #18
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

Toothpaste works in a pinch.......... get the cheap white stuff. Used to take out mild scratches in CDs and DVDs with it. Can leave a slightly matte finish, so do the whole panel - or the whole vehicle.

Looks good on daily drivers.... maybe not so much on a shelf queen.

Bonus - it washes off easy - and leaves your ride minty fresh!

I've also used it as a temporary "grease" in a poorly finished metal gear transmission - run a pack through it and rinse out, replace with real grease. Smooths it out.

Don't let it get in bearings, though....
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Old 07-18-2016, 04:50 PM   #19
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

You could use clear bra on the areas that got scuffed so it doesn't get damaged again.
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Old 07-18-2016, 05:53 PM   #20
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Default Re: Best repair for scratched lexan?

They make PlastiDip in a clear...also sold as 3M Paint Defender.
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