Polishing dash lens? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BLAZERMAN · 11-30-2004, 11:27 PM

I have heard mentioned on here of polishing or buffing a dash lens to restore it, can someone go into a little more detail.

Do you do both sides or just one? and is there a special compound to use?

gr8scott51 · 11-30-2004, 11:35 PM

Meguiar's has a good plastic polish.

ljbear · 11-30-2004, 11:49 PM

Start with the Meguiars Clear Plastic Cleaner #17, then go to the Clear Plastic Polish #10. Takes time, but it will eventually start to clear up. I had some pretty bad scratches I was able to get out with these two, and several hours of work. Only one side needs to be done, the inside has lettering and should be clean. If it's dirty use the polish and cleaner, being careful not to damage the lettering

BLAZERMAN · 11-30-2004, 11:53 PM

Is Meguiars available at auto parts stores? is it best to just use a polishing cloth or a small buff pad in a drill?

**too much stuff** · 11-30-2004, 11:55 PM

I would not buff the back side, as it does not get the abuse like the front. Also, all the fonts are on the back. I have wet sanded with 1500 grit paper and buffed with meguires cleaner polish and had good results. Send me a PM if you want and i can break it down better for you. Eric

ljbear · 12-01-2004, 12:02 AM

I had to order the cleaner, but the polish was available. If you have a larger store or chain they may have it. The store I use is pretty small so they need to order most items anyway.

BLAZERMAN · 12-01-2004, 12:10 AM

I'll hit a few places tomorrow and see if I can find the Meguiars, I have a few lens to practice on before trying on a good one.

Eric, I sent you a pm

Brainchild · 12-01-2004, 01:46 AM

I have used toothpaste on a damp cloth,and buffed out the lens on my 75,which was yellow,and I couldn't even see the gauges.Toothpaste has just enough abrasive,and it's not too radical.Then polish it with plastic polish.
It does take a while,so be prepared.

bobs409 · 12-01-2004, 07:56 AM

I recently polished one with regular paint buffing materials I already had around the garage. I used a 6inch buffer and it took a matter of minutes. I started with Mequires fine cut polish, then went to a swirl remover and it came out great!

Lobo'74 · 12-01-2004, 09:07 PM

I have polished plastic lenses on other things (like watch crystals) using Brasso. I have also read where professional modlers use Brasso to polish clear plastic parts on models.

RShaips · 12-01-2004, 11:55 PM

I just bought a new one Rather than trying to polish mine,for around $30.00. Made a huge difference.

jakeslim · 12-02-2004, 12:12 AM

I'll buy a new one before I polish mine. I tried the polish technique on my 77 k5 and it was better, but still not where I prefered it. SOLUTION? I removed the lens and now there is no glare . Its perfect. Now we can't do that on our earlier trucks , like I said, I'll buy one

EdB · 12-02-2004, 12:48 AM

I have had good luck with a product I pruchased at the local hobby shop. It is
called "Plastic Polish" and it is made by Bare Foil. It works ok on glasses except
for POR. Nothing will remove POR from glasses.

EdB

**Joesjunk** · 12-02-2004, 04:46 AM

Rob, Mothers alum wheel polish works great. I have used it may times. It is in a red and white small round container. You should be able to get it at any auto parts store.

70 shorty · 12-02-2004, 01:54 PM

I've also heard that you can get some polish for motorcycle helmet visors. Can't speak from experience, though, never had a motorcycle.

11-30-2004, 11:35 PM	#2
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	Meguiar's has a good plastic polish. __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

11-30-2004, 11:49 PM	#3
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	Start with the Meguiars Clear Plastic Cleaner #17, then go to the Clear Plastic Polish #10. Takes time, but it will eventually start to clear up. I had some pretty bad scratches I was able to get out with these two, and several hours of work. Only one side needs to be done, the inside has lettering and should be clean. If it's dirty use the polish and cleaner, being careful not to damage the lettering __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability" Last edited by ljbear; 11-30-2004 at 11:52 PM.

11-30-2004, 11:55 PM	#5
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,817	I would not buff the back side, as it does not get the abuse like the front. Also, all the fonts are on the back. I have wet sanded with 1500 grit paper and buffed with meguires cleaner polish and had good results. Send me a PM if you want and i can break it down better for you. Eric __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

12-01-2004, 12:02 AM	#6
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	I had to order the cleaner, but the polish was available. If you have a larger store or chain they may have it. The store I use is pretty small so they need to order most items anyway. __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability"

12-01-2004, 01:46 AM	#8
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	I have used toothpaste on a damp cloth,and buffed out the lens on my 75,which was yellow,and I couldn't even see the gauges.Toothpaste has just enough abrasive,and it's not too radical.Then polish it with plastic polish. It does take a while,so be prepared. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

11-30-2004, 11:27 PM	#1
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,829	Polishing dash lens? I have heard mentioned on here of polishing or buffing a dash lens to restore it, can someone go into a little more detail. Do you do both sides or just one? and is there a special compound to use?

11-30-2004, 11:53 PM	#4
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,829	Is Meguiars available at auto parts stores? is it best to just use a polishing cloth or a small buff pad in a drill?

12-01-2004, 12:10 AM	#7
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,829	I'll hit a few places tomorrow and see if I can find the Meguiars, I have a few lens to practice on before trying on a good one. Eric, I sent you a pm

12-01-2004, 07:56 AM	#9
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I recently polished one with regular paint buffing materials I already had around the garage. I used a 6inch buffer and it took a matter of minutes. I started with Mequires fine cut polish, then went to a swirl remover and it came out great! __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

12-01-2004, 09:07 PM	#10
Lobo'74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 404	I have polished plastic lenses on other things (like watch crystals) using Brasso. I have also read where professional modlers use Brasso to polish clear plastic parts on models. __________________ "Truck" '67 small window '79 350 .030 over, LT1 "clone"

12-01-2004, 11:55 PM	#11
RShaips Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Augusta Missouri Posts: 804	I just bought a new one Rather than trying to polish mine,for around $30.00. Made a huge difference.

12-02-2004, 12:12 AM	#12
jakeslim Premium Level Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 829	I'll buy a new one before I polish mine. I tried the polish technique on my 77 k5 and it was better, but still not where I prefered it. SOLUTION? I removed the lens and now there is no glare . Its perfect. Now we can't do that on our earlier trucks , like I said, I'll buy one __________________ 69 K5 CST stock- 350, 4speed 77 K5 - 383, auto, 6" lift, D60 front, 14b rear, 39" tsl's,

12-02-2004, 12:48 AM	#13
EdB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport Ms Posts: 401	I have had good luck with a product I pruchased at the local hobby shop. It is called "Plastic Polish" and it is made by Bare Foil. It works ok on glasses except for POR. Nothing will remove POR from glasses. EdB

12-02-2004, 04:46 AM	#14
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,715	Rob, Mothers alum wheel polish works great. I have used it may times. It is in a red and white small round container. You should be able to get it at any auto parts store. __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

12-02-2004, 01:54 PM	#15
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	I've also heard that you can get some polish for motorcycle helmet visors. Can't speak from experience, though, never had a motorcycle. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K



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