Removing superficial film from Lexan

[Maskinonge]

While cementing a Lexan lip into one of my homemade trolling
baits, I made a bit of a mess on the lip with the glue. While
I was able to remove the glue with a solvent, I am now left with
a cloudy film on the Lexan which is likely from me using an
improper solvent.

Any suggestions as to how I can restore the Lexan to its original
clarity would be appreciated. I know that even XXXfine steel
wool is probably too abrasive, but was wondering about a cream
or powdered abrasive, ie jeweller's rouge?

Many thanks for any help.

[out2llunge]

I'm not sure what solvent you should use, laquer thinner maybe? If you want to prevent it, cover the entire lip with masking tape. Apply your epoxy and any goo that gets on the lip will come off when you take the masking tape off.

Cheers,

J.P.

www.geocities.com/out2llunge or www.out2llunge.cjb.net

[jlong]

Here is a trick I learned to remove the "cloud" made from surface abrasions. What you need to do is FILL the scratches with something to produce a smooth surface. I've had success just coating the entire lip with a thin filf of epoxy, envirotex, or other hard, clear coating.

Back in the days when the Ernie baits used "white" plastic and painted lips... they continued to paint the lips even after they changed materials to a clear/transparent type. I would sand off the paint and apply a coat of epoxy to have an Ernie with a CLEAR lip. Granted you don't have to do this today, but it shows that my tip actually does work. Good Luck.

jlong

[Maskinonge]

Hats-off to jlong for providing the solution to my dilema. Using
XXXfine steel wool, I removed every smear or trace of epoxy and
then applied two light coats of hardcoat gloss lacquer over the
cloudy/scuffed Lexan surface.

Clarity has been restored. Thank-you jlong and out2llunge for your
help.