Polishing Plastic
3 posters
Skid's :: General :: I Need some help.
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Polishing Plastic
With the Stingray III moulded in purple, I'm wondering about the wisdom of polishing the plastic body & then gloss clear over it.
All thoughts & tips welcomed.
Cheers,
Chris
All thoughts & tips welcomed.
Cheers,
Chris
webby- Moderator
- Posts : 2194
Join date : 2013-02-27
Age : 64
Location : Strathpine Australia. Built over WW2 airstrip
Re: Polishing Plastic
I have seen it done a few times on builds at model shows, with mixed results. I say try it. If it doesn't look good then wash the body with rubbing alcohol and primer and paint. All you have to lose is some time and effort.
Guest- Guest
Re: Polishing Plastic
Chris, If you use a polishing paper you will be OK and/or regular rubbing compound but to use a polishing compound then NO on the clear coat cause the polishing compound has an oil/silicone base and the clear coat will separate from the oil. I hope this makes sense to you
john2308- Full Member
- Posts : 1142
Join date : 2013-04-10
Age : 79
Location : Phoenix, AZ
Re: Polishing Plastic
Chris, I've done it a few times in the past when I wasn't set up to spray. It can come out quite nice. Big thing to watch is whether the color in your plastic has enough density. You may be painting the inner fenders, interior roof and sail panels, and underhood. If the color isn't dense enough, you may end up seeing the purple body with dark and light areas.
Revell and Monogram had some great coloring, including metalflake, in their moldings of the 1980's.
Revell and Monogram had some great coloring, including metalflake, in their moldings of the 1980's.
RetiredMike- Advanced Member
- Posts : 3525
Join date : 2013-04-27
Age : 73
Location : Valparaiso, Indiana
Re: Polishing Plastic
Thanks guys. Density should be OK, since its a dark purple colour, so black show through shouldn't be an issue.
I've sanded (1500 grit) a section & then tried car polish, but still can't get a decent gloss to it.
I might try clear. Watch this space.
Cheers,
Chris
I've sanded (1500 grit) a section & then tried car polish, but still can't get a decent gloss to it.
I might try clear. Watch this space.
Cheers,
Chris
webby- Moderator
- Posts : 2194
Join date : 2013-02-27
Age : 64
Location : Strathpine Australia. Built over WW2 airstrip
Re: Polishing Plastic
You'll need to go further than 1500 grit to polish the plastic really well. There are kits available in cloth or pads, graduated from 4000 to 12000 grit. These used after you've removed flash and edges with 400 to 1500 grit paper. Then a very light polish will finish it off.
RetiredMike- Advanced Member
- Posts : 3525
Join date : 2013-04-27
Age : 73
Location : Valparaiso, Indiana
Skid's :: General :: I Need some help.
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