Polishing Canopies

[PatG]

Does anyone have any good advice on how to polish canopies please that does not involve buying products from Tamiya etc. which are not cheap?

 

Someone suggested using 'Brasso' but when I used it this just made the canopy even more dull so wondering if toothpaste might be a good material to use instead?

 

I do have a bottle of  Novus 1 but this does not seem to be effective even though it was quite pricey and claimed to do the job.

 

Pat.

[jenko]

Brasso works well when used with a cotton bud. Buff up the normal way. Then gently buff on an old pair of denim jeans.

 

If it's getting a seam out work down to 12000 grit abrasive paper then do the above.

 

Tooth paste is a coarse abrasive. Different makes, Different coarseness, Blast from the past Ulta Bright being the worst.

Smells better than Brasso 

 

Dick

Edited July 6 by jenko

[PatG]

Will the Tamiya 'Finish' (finest) grade of polishing compound also give a canopy a nice shiny finish or will it be too abrasive and end up dulling it perhaps?

 

Pat.

[Tbolt]

On 06/07/2024 at 21:08, PatG said:

Does anyone have any good advice on how to polish canopies please that does not involve buying products from Tamiya etc. which are not cheap?

 

Someone suggested using 'Brasso' but when I used it this just made the canopy even more dull so wondering if toothpaste might be a good material to use instead?

 

I do have a bottle of  Novus 1 but this does not seem to be effective even though it was quite pricey and claimed to do the job.

 

Pat.

 

Novus 1 is not really a polish, it's just a finishing coat, you need Novus 2 to polish canopies up. On it's own 1 is a bit pointless.  I have all 3 and only use 3 ocasional if I want a more aggressive polish.

 

I can't comment on Tamiya as I haven't used them, though while expensive you can get a bottle of good car polish, but it will last you a very long time. I use Auto Glym Ultra Deep Shine which is pretty good, but that's because I use to use it on my car and had plenty left over. 

[PatG]

Just wondering if T-cut would be another good alternative as I've read somewhere very recently (can't recall where though) that it works well, or would this also be too abrasive  perhaps?

 

Failing that I do have some good quality car polish I can also try.

 

Pat.

 

Ps. I'll also invest in some Novus 2 at some point when funds allow.

Edited September 19 by PatG
missing info

[5huggy]

IMHO - T-cut is not very good as its ammonia base clouds the plastic

 

I personally use  Meguiars PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner Polish - not cheap but volume will last a lifetime.

I also use it on modern Acrylic headlights on our cars.

[PatG]

Many thanks for the advice about T-cut as I was planning to have a go at using it tonight!

 

The Meguiars is about the same price as Novus 2 so just need to decide which one to go for.

 

Thanks again for the warning and the advice.

 

Pat.

[ckw]

I use silver metal polish which can get rid of minor scratches. The result is very slightly cloudy but a coat of Future cures that

 

Cheers

 

Colin

[Michael louey]

Hi Pat,

 

I use a product called Plexus which was used for motorcycle visors however it looks like its out of production/stock now. It's a spray can but I spray it on a cloth and use that for polishing. An old fashioned option is tooth paste (i.e. the traditional white cream type, not the gels). after polishing you have to wash out the transparency. I haven't used this lately since I started using Plexus.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Steve McArthur]

Back in the dark ages I used plain white toothpaste. I think there's still an old travel size tube somewhere in my hobby supplies. Eventually I got the Tamiya polishing compounds and was blown away how much easier and better the results were from products designed specifically for the purpose. Considering how little is used the tubes I bought have lasted years, so the cost is insignificant to me.

[MODeller]

Autosol metal polish is my go to for canopies. Leaves them a little cloudy but once dipped in Klear all is restored. Currently around £6.30 on Amazon.