How to machine polish clear, plastic convertible top windows

[Mike Phillips]

How to machine polish clear, plastic convertible top windows

This is a long video, so if you have a short attention span or you simply don't have and never will need to know how to machine polish clear plastics, by all means *click* away to Instagram and maybe you can find a dog jumping through a flaming hoop.

As convertible tops get older, the clear flexible vinyl windows become filled with swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation. In really severe neglect, the plastic can even turn yellow.

I've polished out a LOT of clear plastic windows in my life, both flexible and rigid. One of the MOST IMPORTANT factors when polishing clear plastics is the ABRASIVE TECHNOLOGY. The Dr. Beasley's microsphere abrasive technology is unique to Dr. Beasley's NSP Primers.

This abrasive technology EXCELS at polishing both soft clearcoat paint and also clear plastics. Most other abrasive technology will remove the swirls and scratches, but it will leave micro-marring behind and thus the clear plastic will be foggy looking, not clear like glass.



But if you own a classic convertible with plastic that's as bad or worse than what you see on this 1965 Oldsmobile 442 - then watch-on.

All products can be found here,

Dr. Beasley's

Mike Phillips
The Mike Phillips Forum

 

[Mike Phillips]

Here's just one picture I have from this project. Will add more if I get time.

This is a before and after 50/50 shot

Mike

 

[Dsholes78]

Here's just one picture I have from this project. Will add more if I get time.

This is a before and after 50/50 shot

Mike

Looks like you removed the window and it’s open to the outdoors!

 

[Mike Phillips]

Looks like you removed the window and it’s open to the outdoors!

For my upcoming car and boat detailing class, I have a similar project for the class to learn hands-on - how-to to address this type of project.

1965 Corvette Stingray Convertible Top - Clear plastic back window

Here's some close-ups to show how bad it is...

Looking from the inside out - see all the scratches?

To be honest, I don't know that this flexible, clear plastic window can be fixed. But we won't know unless we try.

If my class can fix it - there's going to be a dramatic before and after difference.


Mike

 

[Dsholes78]

For my upcoming car and boat detailing class, I have a similar project for the class to learn hands-on - how-to to address this type of project.

1965 Corvette Stingray Convertible Top - Clear plastic back window

Here's some close-ups to show how bad it is...

Looking from the inside out - see all the scratches?

To be honest, I don't know that this flexible, clear plastic window can be fixed. But we won't know unless we try.

If my class can fix it - there's going to be a dramatic before and after difference.


Mike

Some of those are deep. But you’ll get it

 

[Mike Phillips]

Some of those are deep. But you’ll get it

First thing we'll do when the car arrives is see if we can't laydown the top and open her up in any way that will make machine polishing the inside easier.

If not - then we'll just have to do it with the top up like you see in the picture.

We'll start with a rotary polisher and a foam cutting pad and Dr. Beasley's NSP 150

The hardest part is taping off all the surrounding canvas to protect it from splatter dots so we then don't have to spend any time cleaning the splatter dots off. I'm thinking Gorilla Tape.


Mike

 

[Dsholes78]

First thing we'll do when the car arrives is see if we can't laydown the top and open her up in any way that will make machine polishing the inside easier.

If not - then we'll just have to do it with the top up like you see in the picture.

We'll start with a rotary polisher and a foam cutting pad and Dr. Beasley's NSP 150

The hardest part is taping off all the surrounding canvas to protect it from splatter dots so we then don't have to spend any time cleaning the splatter dots off. I'm thinking Gorilla Tape.


Mike

I bet you’ve got something that will bring that canvas back to life as well…
Will gorilla tape leave its own residue when you peel it off??
I use plain blue 3m painters tape but that may not stick to canvas…