removing a scratch from rear reflector?

[grahamkissack]

I have a scratch on my rear reflector that I'd like to remove. I have read here that toothpaste might work. I gave up on that idea after about ten minutes since it didn't seem to be doing anything. What products are out there which will buff a plastic piece like this? Do I handpolish it or rent an orbital polisher? Any other smart ideas?

Thanks, Graham

[no substitute]

Meguiars makes some plastic polishing products of varying grits.

[kenikh]

You can remove the deepest scratches by sanding w/ 400 grit until the scratch is gone, then using a polishing wheel with polishing rouge. It'll look like new.

[Wil Ferch]

Even 3M Imperial Hand Glaze...used to remove micro-scratches from paint...will work if the scratches aren't too deep or too bad.

I guess it goes without saying that you attempt to fix such things with as mild a "fix" as you think will work....and go to more aggressive means only if it doesn't work. Don't go too aggressive too soon.

Wil

[jorian]

There's a company called Novus that makes scratch remover for plastic/plexiglas. I used it in my signmaking business to repair customer property and it is a superior product.

[Porschekid962]

meguires makes a 3 step plastic/acrylic/paint polishing/finishing system you can buy at a good paint supply store


is the scratch really that bad? my relatives in Germany love it when the front of their car gets wear and tear, its a sign that the car has been driven and used for what it is supposed to be used for.