Renovating plastic instrument lenses

[gozierdt]

Has anyone found a good way to improve the clarity on older, plastic instrument lenses. I have a new (to me) 1988 Sea Ray 20' Seville. The outer surfaces of the instrument lenses are covered with a fine network of cracks. A PO may have sprayed some sort of goo on the instrument panel, which is covered in seat material, which may have caused some of the crazing. I was able to improve the tach a little by wiping with Acetone, but just a little too much caused some smearing of what looks like the lens material. I then rubbed it with a medium Meguires polishing material, and it's better, but still not perfect. Several of the other instruments still need some kind of treatment. Before I try more acetone, I thought I'd see if someone has a better restoration method. I'd pull the panel and make new lenses, but it looks to me like some of the Sea Ray emblems are printed on the back side of the lenses, and I'd hate to lose them.

TIA,
Gene

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

How about a headlight restore / polish kit?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

Good call Bob. My thought exactly.
We have real problems with the lenses on our truck's head lights. We have tried, and had some success, with a restoration kit that is the same as the one you can get at an auto parts store. We have also shot head light lenses with clear coat and buffed them out. Both methods work, but they are not perfect.
Either method should work on plastic gauge lenses. I would try the head light restoration kit first. You can get them at just about any parts store.

 

[sasto]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

I would try toothpaste, Colgate, plain.

 

[yorab]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

I used a restoration kit from Advance Auto on my Dodge Stratus lenses. It worked great. Though not perfect, I would say that they are now 95% of their clarity when they were new. Just follow the instructions in the kit.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

Acetone will eat and destroy the plastic... Stay with the polishing compound... it may take some time, but will be worth it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

I would try toothpaste, Colgate, plain.

Why not fresh mint??

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

Novus plastic polish, 3 grades; 1 polish, 3 scratch removal 2 medium.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

Why not fresh mint??

Id be tempted to lick the instrument cluster..

I would wetsand with 600 then 1200 then buff. Again and again untill there gone.

If the Crazing is through and through look for replacements.

Agents ( like toothpaste ) will only " fill " the cracks.. not get rid of them..they will come back only worse.

Could you use some kind of plastic clearcoat ? Possible .. never tried it for the long run.

YD.

 

[sasto]

Re: Renovating plastic instrument lenses

Agents ( like toothpaste ) will only " fill " the cracks.. not get rid of them..they will come back only worse.

.

Good note. guess I will never use toothpaste again!