Depth Sounder Plastic Window hard to read

[HPLou]

I have a 1989 Boat. The Depth Sounder Gauge works perfect but very hard to read.
The Clear Plastic Surface is faided by the sun, I guess, and I hardly can read the information.
Is it possible to Polish, Clean the Plastic Surface ?
What Product to use ?
Thanks

 

[Rentaltux]

Not sure if it would work on that but my wifes headlights on her vehicle were faded and yelo so you could't even see through them and I used Deep Woods Off soaked on a rag and rubbed the heck outta them and the looked like new now. Still good after about 6 months. Saw that online somewhere..

R

 

[HPLou]

Thanks Rentaltux.
I will look on the net for Deep Woods Off.
I have no idea what it is & if available in Canada.

 

[Rentaltux]

It is insect repellant but any should work... and I am from Canada also.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Mothers, 3M make plastic polishes. Probably a bunch of other brands too.....

 

[WIMUSKY]

Meguier's has a plastic polish.....

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Polishes/dm/cart_id.022566527--session_id.580149084--view_id.217280

 

[Jeep Man]

Not sure if it would work on that but my wifes headlights on her vehicle were faded and yelo so you could't even see through them and I used Deep Woods Off soaked on a rag and rubbed the heck outta them and the looked like new now. Still good after about 6 months. Saw that online somewhere..

R

Do a test first. Deep Woods melted a hole in the bill of my buddies cap. Depending on the material, it could do more cleanup than what you plan on. Automotive headlamp cleaner is an alternative.

 

[bassman284]

Try toothpaste on a rag slightly wet. What you're needing is a mild abrasive to remove the oxidized layer. Rub it in a circular motion with a little pressure.

 

[gm280]

There are so many plastic polishes on the market these days for exactly what you are looking for. Go to most any store and look over the selections and choose one and use it to clean and polish your screen. It isn't some magic formula but merely some very fine abrasives in those solutions that polishes the plastic back to clean and clear again. Choose one and happy boating again...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Meguiar's Plast-X..... best thing since sliced bread

 

[Watermann]

All that plastic polish has never worked for me, the bug dope has to contain DEET and it works way better than any of the expensive polish kits. Oh and mosquitoes will stay away too.

 

[gm280]

All that plastic polish has never worked for me, the bug dope has to contain DEET and it works way better than any of the expensive polish kits. Oh and mosquitoes will stay away too.

The reason for DEET working has to do with the chemical that literally dissolves the plastic and thereby you melt it back with a clearer surface (hopefully). But you seriously have to be careful because in some cases those chemicals can dissolve too far and then it is buy or replace the lens... Lacquer thinner can work too, so can Acetone, but in each case you are gambling with how far it melts the plastics... So be very careful using chemicals or recommending such chemicals to others that don't know how it works, or can permanently damage their project. Plastic polishes aren't expensive and can be controlled by the user without such problems... JMHO!

 

[HPLou]

Wow
Thanks guys for these great product sugestions & opinions.
I will start with a Plastic Polish and see the results. I job for the Week End.
I will be back with the result this week end.

 

[Rentaltux]

All that plastic polish has never worked for me, the bug dope has to contain DEET and it works way better than any of the expensive polish kits. Oh and mosquitoes will stay away too.

I agree. I tried a few different products and this worked the best for me. I am not sure of the percentage of DEET I used but I am guessing not as high as some because I did have to work at it for a while but they def. looked way better and it was late last summer I did it. I do agree anything polish should work with a bit of elbow grease, some maybe better than others. Either way there are lots of options..

R

 

[Alumarine]

I can't believe a Canadian, especially one with a boat, has never heard of Deep Woods Off!
I hope CSIS isn't monitoring this forum

 

[Watermann]

The reason for DEET working has to do with the chemical that literally dissolves the plastic and thereby you melt it back with a clearer surface (hopefully). But you seriously have to be careful because in some cases those chemicals can dissolve too far and then it is buy or replace the lens... Lacquer thinner can work too, so can Acetone, but in each case you are gambling with how far it melts the plastics... So be very careful using chemicals or recommending such chemicals to others that don't know how it works, or can permanently damage their project. Plastic polishes aren't expensive and can be controlled by the user without such problems... JMHO!

Deet doesn't melt my skin or the plastic lenses. I doubt acetone or lacquer thinner is recommended for slathering on your face and for sure it won't keep skeeters off you unless of course you smoke... :lol:

 

[H20Rat]

Using deet is a really good way to get a like new display... As in you will be buying a new one. The above posters might have gotten lucky once, but it is rolling the dice. DEET absolutely melts plastic quite readily, it is a fairly strong solvent and will actually melt most synthetic fabric also. The other problem is that once it melts and then evaporates, it is going to leave other chemicals behind, some of which might not actually be clear. (aka, you now have a permanently 'burnt' display)

Huge believer always using the right tools for the job. There are plastic polishes meant for this that work very, very well, if you follow the directions to a T.

 

[HPLou]

Sorry marc c if I dissapointed you.
I didn't make the relation beetween polish and insect repiliant product. I am French and '' Deep Woods Off '' doesn't ring a bell.
If I would have written ''Insectifuge OFF R?gions sauvages '' Would you be able to to make a relation with the Insect product?
With Internet I searched the product and Yes I know the product.
Louis [h=1][/h]