Can you polish a magnifying glass?

Jellyfists · **on:** April 12, 2021, 05:32:29 PM

Hi guys,
First post here, after doing quite some studying on all the great mods everyone is doing. I am getting really inspired to try and build a Yeoman myself.
I have an old Explorer for that, but the, new style plastic, magnifying glass is a bit scratched up. It is usable, but it still bugs me.

Is it possible to polish those scratches out, so the glass will be completely clear again?

smiller43147 · **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2021, 02:08:16 AM

I would try one of the polishes for headlights. Mothers PowerPlastic 4Lights is one example.

Jellyfists · **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2021, 02:48:21 PM

Thanks, I will certainly look into that.
Do you think a regular polishing wheel (mounted on my drill) with a fine polishing compound will work? I am scared to cloud up the magnifying glass and render it useless.

pfrsantos · **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2021, 03:51:06 PM

Short answer: yes.

Of course you can! I mean, it was polished when they made it, right? The thing is: do you have the materials/tools/know-how to do it?

I think it's easy to make a mess out of it. Maybe try first polishing a similar piece of plastic, to see how it works?

Aloha · **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2021, 04:10:53 PM

Yes BUT plastic is difficult without the right equipment. Ask me how I know

gregozedobe · **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2021, 05:44:09 PM

The usual guidelines for polishing is to start very conservative and only (and gradually) move up to coarser (more aggressive) materials if you aren't getting the results you want with finer materials. That way you won't add in deeper scratches that are difficult to polish out.

Jellyfists · **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2021, 06:10:06 PM

I decided to just go for it. Worked out better than I had hoped.
I have only had my polishing wheel for a couple of days, so was just practicing. After some old cellidor scales and some brass liners, I figured just try the magnifying glass.
I chose the lowest rpm my drill would go, the finest polishing wheel and compound I have, and used light pressure.
Most of the scratches are gone now. It’s not perfect, but it’s not worth the risk to take it further. As gregozedobe mentioned, that would require coarser polishing compound.
Thanks so far guys!

Aloha · **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2021, 06:10:40 PM

pfrsantos · **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2021, 06:12:59 PM

Quote from: Jellyfists on April 13, 2021, 06:10:06 PM

I decided to just go for it. Worked out better than I had hoped.
I have only had my polishing wheel for a couple of days, so was just practicing. After some old cellidor scales and some brass liners, I figured just try the magnifying glass.
I chose the lowest rpm my drill would go, the finest polishing wheel and compound I have, and used light pressure.
Most of the scratches are gone now. It’s not perfect, but it’s not worth the risk to take it further. As gregozedobe mentioned, that would require coarser polishing compound.
Thanks so far guys!

Mike 56 · **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2021, 06:35:39 AM

I’m late but hobby shops sell sets of fine sanding pads for color sanding paint on modal cars if I remember right they are 800 grit to 5000 grit. Then polish with a good buffing confound then a plastic polish. Makes head lights look like new and the paint on modal cars look a mile deep.

Mike

Jellyfists · **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2021, 06:52:54 AM

That’s also a good tip. I will remember that one. Thanks!

kamakiri · **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2021, 07:55:00 PM

Micromesh brand goes to a very fine 12,000 grit. Even 8,000 hardly leaves much visible scratch pattern. Those two grits are finer than a lot of plastic polishes.