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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:02 AM

Just thought I'd put a "how to" Thread together.

Yes Acrylic will scratch, the good news is it can be restored. In fact I'm even thinking about making a restore "kit" that would include smaller sizs of the compounds that I use, as they come in 48oz bottles.

Anyway, I started with a piece of rejected acrylic and made a "Test" pattern to sow you what was possible.

Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:09 AM

I start by wetsanding with 1200 grit.


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:10 AM

Wipe clean and repeat with 2000 and 3000.


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:15 AM

Start by useing a mild cutting compound to reduce some of the fine scratches caused by sanding.

Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:23 AM

Wipe clean and follow up with a machine polishing compound, and following up with a superfine polish.

For a total of 3 steps. You will need to switch to sponge pads for steps 2 and 3.




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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:26 AM

Repaired test section


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:27 AM

Side view


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:28 AM

Decided I'd try to clean up my scratched Saratoga top
Before


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:32 AM

Wetsand with 1200, 2000, 3000


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:35 AM

I polished as I did before, unfortunately when you repair scratches you find more. You will notice that as you sand you can see the scratch until it's sanded out. You need to get these all the way out with 1200, before moving on to the next 2 steps


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Posted by: Mikey914 Aug 24 2011, 01:40 AM

You can really make these look good, I typically spend 2-1/2 hours on a roof prepping before I ship.

The one this to remember is as you polish you will build up a static charge. If you use a Meguires #1 plastic cleaner last, it will discharge the plastic so that every piece of dust that exists to your now clean top.


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Posted by: Drums66 Aug 24 2011, 04:49 PM

.......BFH

Posted by: StratPlayer Aug 24 2011, 04:51 PM

Amazing

Posted by: Drums66 Aug 24 2011, 05:23 PM

......But seriously.......what you've done there is *Amazing*