NCIS

I need some advise on removing hairline scratches on my canopy. Can anybody help me out and post pictures of before and after? Here is the scratch I want to make disappear.

Barry

IL2windhawk

4000 grit sandpaper, followed by tamiya polishing compound on a paper towel.

Usually won't get all of it, but it will make a big difference

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Toothpaste usually works. Dan.

jmohn

Spray them with clear paint. It will fill all the scratches and you won't see them. Try it on some similar material to see for yourself, but it works great.



Jeff

NCIS

Have you done this and will the paint stick and not crack if the canopy happens to get squeezed a little? What clear that won't yellow paint would you recommend?

Luft-Gangster

Boat window cleaner. Its a plastic polish. Found at any marina, Meijer, Wallmart, etc.

jmohn

I used the Model masters clear on mine and it works great. Fills the scratches and you can't see them at all. Not sure about the yellowing, but it will yellow anyway if you leave it in the sun even without the paint on the plastic. You can always take it off with some IPA and reapply if it gets yellow later too.

Take some plastic you get from any electronics packaging and scratch it up, then fill it with some paint to see if you like how it looks before you spray your canopy.


Jeff

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Tooth paste.

Dash7ATP

Usuallly by the time I'm ready to finish a model my canopy has scratches just from handling. If it's bad, or say I have a really bad scratch, I'll sand it with 600 Wet or Dry and go up to a 1500 grit. On the entire canopy!  This ensures the clear will stick. For the clear coat, I use the automotive clear I use on my entire model . Leaes it looking new or better!

Dash

NCIS

Great replies. Gary what toothpaste would you use? Mine is to gritty for my smokers teeth.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Colgate, not the extra whitening kind, but fluoridated of course.

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

Crest Regular works great for me. I don't smoke and they're all still mine. Dan.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

I'll second that. I've used this too.

prop wash

I agree,colgates or crest,just regular.Some times I leave some of the scuffing,looks like the real ones.
Tom

deatonbt

This is something that Ihave never tried. But, isn't there liquid available to take scratches off eye glasses? Could be worth a call to one of the chains. Something else that Ihaven't tried is DVD cleaner.

Now, if only somebody will try these ideas.

ram3500-RCU

My Feedback: (221)

Tried them both. Not aggressive enough.

tunakuts3d

I haven't used this but I think this could work.
http://www.micromark.com/MICRO-MESH-...-KIT,7601.html

Paul

eddieC

My Feedback: (2)

I second the micro-mesh. Comes in numerous grades, goes from coarse to crystal-clear. I also have used Polycoat (Phillips IIRC) and it has worked great. Have you tried rubbing/polishing compound? Have also heard of guys using Future floor wax.

smittyjames

I have used the white turtle polishing compound with a small buffer on a severely scratched canopy and it worked better than expected. I now do all my new canopies this way. I also use this stuff to polish my homemade aluminum headers. Makes them look like chrome.

tony0707

HI
ARMOROL will remove a good number of scratchesand is excellent to protect and shine monocoat and ultacoat buff it after it drys REGARDS TONY

Truckracer

My Feedback: (19)

I second the clear coat process, works great. Any good quality, automotive, 2 part clear will work. You may get a little nervous when you're sanding the canopy though ... but it will look perfect when sprayed with the clear. These clears are also more scratch resistant than the original plastic material. Seems a bit strange though wanting a perfect canopy on a warbird that many people spend hundreds of hours trying to make look weathered and old though.

Airplanes400

My Feedback: (349)

I just use Mother's plastic polishing compound. Works great! Sold at auto stores. It also works great on the plastic lenses that cover the headlights.

Jeff Foley

My Feedback: (45)

I will second the Future floor wax. I have had pretty good results hiding some light abrasive imperfections with Future.

psb667

Rainex

alanc

takes 5 seconds, detect scratch, pick up amoral, spray, wipe off, scratch gone