[ RadSafe ] Restoration of plastic display covers on meters

Fri Jun 28 10:57:02 CDT 2013

Got this from another list:

I just finished making a dosimetry phantom that started with table saw cuts
and ended up optically pure.  Once I got the phantom wet sanded with 1500
grit paper, I used an $8 buffing kit and a normal household drill to easily
polish to a high luster.  The kit had a mandrel, three cloth wheels, and
some compound sticks.  I used the finest compound and the kit will tell you
which is for polishing plastic. 

You can test by getting the kit at Home Depot and a piece of
acrylic/plexiglass.  Dull the surface with a fine sand paper and then try
the buffing wheel to polish.  Look at the ceiling light reflected in the
surface and have the buffing wheel follow the light across the surface.  The
clarity of the reflection of the light will lead you to success.

-Rob

Robert J. Gunter, MSc, CHP
CHP Consultants/CHP Dosimetry
www.chpconsultants.com
www.chpdosimetry.com
Toll Free: (888) 766-4833
Fax:  (866) 491-9913 
Cel:  (865) 387-0028
rjgunter at chpconsultants.com

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of M K
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 12:21 AM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Restoration of plastic display covers on meters

that will work, although I prefer going to 1000 grit, then use standard
polishing compound(or if don't have it available, toothpaste(note that most
gel toothpastes are not as suitable)-it needs to be mixed with water to thin
it out for best results.
If the plastic is on the thin side, then too much sanding might make it too
thin, if this is a concern, then the clear urethane spray might be better.

On Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 12:09 AM, Kulp, Jeffrey (DOH) <
Jeffrey.Kulp at doh.wa.gov> wrote:

> If you are just trying to make the display readable again, clean/sand 
> the plastic cover using successively fine grits until yo get down to 
> approximately 600 grit. You can then mask and spray the cover with 
> some clear urethane from a spray can. The can should cost no more than 
> 4 or 5 dollars. If you have not done this type of work before,  I 
> recommend you practice with some scrap clear plastic sheet to see if you
like the results.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Jeff Kulp
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu on behalf of M K
> Sent: Thu 6/27/2013 5:57 PM
> To: James.Darrough at oregonstate.edu; The International Radiation 
> Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Restoration of plastic display covers on 
> meters
>
> if it's a simple sheet, that's ok, but often the parts are custom.
>
> On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 5:03 PM, Jim Darrough <darrougj at onid.orst.edu
> >wrote:
>
> > My take on it is just replace the plastic with Lexan sheeting if you
can.
> > Polycarbonate will be much more durable.
> >
> > Regards, Jim Darrough
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
> > [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Ted de 
> > Castro
> > Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 1:53 PM
> > To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing 
> > List
> > Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Restoration of plastic display covers on 
> > meters
> >
> > Yes there are plastic polishes that work quite well - I have one - 
> > but
> its
> > mil surplus --- so that won't do you any good.  BUT - like someone 
> > else said if the headlight lens stuff is for plastic - it SHOULD 
> > work.
> > ALSO - for those soft plastic windows in convertibles which ALWAYS 
> > get messed up - the recommended polish is McGuire's - should be 
> > available at any auto parts store.
> >
> >
> > On 6/27/2013 11:20 AM, M K wrote:
> > > Oh, one more thing....if you can, it's a good to support the rear 
> > > of the plastic while polishing it-particularly if the plastic is 
> > > thin or brittle, otherwise there is a risk of cracking the plastic.
> > >
> > > On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 2:17 PM, M K <ka2mce at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >> There are plastic polishes that work ok.
> > >> If the scratches are not TOO deep, plain toothpaste, mixed with a 
> > >> bit of water will work ok.
> > >> If the scratches are DEEP, then ultrafine abrasive paper can be 
> > >> used to remove them, then you will need to polish it to restore 
> > >> the
> clarity.
> > >> With patience, almost any plastic can be made to look good.
> > >> If you try to use any motorized tool to polish, it must be run at 
> > >> VERY low speeds-it you run it too high, the friction will start 
> > >> melting the surface of the plastic, which will make things worse.
> > >> The headlamp kits, if intended for plastic should be ok.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 1:50 PM, Robert J. Gunter, CHP < 
> > >> rjgunter at chpconsultants.com> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Greetings All,
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> I have some meters with plastic coated displays that have been 
> > >>> scratched over the years to the point that it becomes hard to 
> > >>> read even though the display behind the plastic cover is fine.  
> > >>> We have thought about using one of those headlight restoration 
> > >>> products like
> > this one:
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> http://www.tooltopia.com/presta-136816.aspx?utm_source=googlebas
> > >>> e
> > >>> <
> > >>> http://www.tooltopia.com/presta-136816.aspx?utm_source=googlebas
> > >>> e&ut
> > >>> m_mediu
> > >>>
> > >>> m=cse&utm_term=PST136816&utm_campaign=googlebase_18u&gclid=CMD4m
> > >>> 8jlh
> > >>> LgCFVNo7
> > >>> Aod0moA6A<http://www.tooltopia.com/presta-136816.aspx?utm_source
> > >>> =goo
> > >>> glebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=PST136816&utm_campaign=googlebas
> > >>> e_18 u&gclid=CMD4m8jlhLgCFVNo7Aod0moA6A>
> > >>> &utm_medium=cse&utm_term=PST136816&utm_campaign=googlebase_18u&g
> > >>> clid
> > >>> =CMD4m8j
> > >>> lhLgCFVNo7Aod0moA6A
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Has anyone done this to their instruments (like a 450P, E-600, 
> > >>> or Electra
> > >>> meter) and could share their experience?
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Other ideas??
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Thanks,
> > >>>
> > >>> Rob
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Robert J. Gunter, MSc, CHP
> > >>>
> > >>> CHP Consultants/CHP Dosimetry
> > >>>
> > >>> www.chpconsultants.com
> > >>>
> > >>> www.chpdosimetry.com
> > >>>
> > >>> Toll Free: (888) 766-4833
> > >>>
> > >>> Fax:  (866) 491-9913
> > >>>
> > >>> Cel:  (865) 387-0028
> > >>>
> > >>> rjgunter at chpconsultants.com
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
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