Fixing scratches in clear plastic

[E-Dub]

Can you do it with Future? I know you can, with a great deal of labor, sand them out an buff the whole thing smooth. I was just wondering about the idea of painting with future and rubbing it smooth that way. Seems like it might go quicker that way,

[DaveVan]

I'd try dipping it in future/Pledge then allow it to hang so excess drips off.

[Kylwell]

All depends on the depth of the scratches and their density. Usually you polish out the worse then dip it. Start with a medium grit paper and wet sand it. Rinse well between grits. Even when working up to 8000 grit a dip in Future will improve it.

[zaphod]

If you have trouble finding Future/Pledge/Floor Shine, I have had good luck dipping in Windsor and Newton clear acrylic varnish. I have the stuff from the Galeria product line and it self levels beautifully.

[Wug]

Thanks zaphod.

[Zubie]

I realize that on a cost per ounce it is a no brainer, but would say clear acrylic (such as Tamiya X-22) also do the trick?

[zaphod]

Zubie good point,

I think the gloss clear probably would work.
Maybe add some Tamiya retarder and some of their acrylic thinner, so that it has a chance to self-level before drying.

[Andrew Gorman]

Surface preparation counts! The better you buff it out, the better the clear coat will work. A model canopy or most clear model parts are not big and doesn't take a lot of time to do right. If you can more or less see through the part it's ready for a clear coat. If there is a scratch, you are still going to see a scratch after a clear coat. Scratches have rough edges that by their very nature are not clear.