cleaning plastic ramps

[necroscope]

What is the best product to use on plastic ramps,have tried novus 3 but it seems useless wont take any scfratches out 

[Steevsee]

I've used 1000,1200,1500 and 2000 grit wet and dry to remove scratches prior to polishing.

[necroscope]

thanks stevesse i just tried the novus 3 with a dry chux wipe and it seemed a little better i was thinking of maybe using a dry  green scotch scrubber with the novus3,but i am not sure if it will make the plastic cloudy i guess the sandpaper would make it cloudy what polish do you use after the sandpaper?

[deadlydave]

Have you seen this guide on flame polishing?
http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=1568.0

Cheers
Dave

[necroscope]

thanks dave,looks a bit scary,guess i will leave it till i get a butane torch and then i will have a go.

[Steevsee]

thanks stevesse.... i guess the sandpaper would make it cloudy what polish do you use after the sandpaper?

It does go cloudy after sanding but all the coarse scratches should be gone.
Now your ramp has heaps of much finer scrathes but then these can just be polished out with novus.
It comes up quite nice and clear.

Even though it appears much clearer, in reality it still will have tiny (?microscopic) sratches all over it from the polish.
I guess this is where flame polishing comes in and removes those microsopic scratches altogether, though I haven't acyually tried it myself yet.

Have you seen this guide on flame polishing?

Cheers
Dave

[shootar]

mate use the finest wt and dry to get the ball swirl marks out then flame polish. piece of piss just buy a cheap butane flame from bunnings - under 10 bux and works a treat I did my WW and they came up glassy.

[necroscope]

Thanks for all the advice will try steves method first then if i'm not happy with the result Flame-on  ,i have a dud ramp with a hole in it to practise on so it wont matter if i melt it.thanks again for the advice.

[Pinprick]

Flame is the name of the game . . .
BUT practice first on junk plastics, you need to develop a smooth action similar to spraypainting.
Any hesitations will result in bubbling or worse.
Prep and cleaning is essential too.
Well worth the effort because you will indeed get a glassy finish.

[necroscope]

Flame is the name of the game . . .
BUT practice first on junk plastics, you need to develop a smooth action similar to spraypainting.
Any hesitations will result in bubbling or worse.
Prep and cleaning is essential too.
Well worth the effort because you will indeed get a glassy finish.

what's best to clean with before flaming would isypropl be ok provided i let it dry for a while 

[shansta]

Ummm, dumb question - but have you stuck it in the dishwasher on it's hottest cycle?

Try that before you do anything too radical.

Gives the same effect as flame polishing. (and you don't set fire to it!)

P.S. try and support it as much as you can - it could theoretically warp under it's own weight. (I did the Party Zone main ramp unsupported without any hassles)

I use 70deg 2hr20min cycle. Put the ramp in the bottom rack (It's hotter).

[necroscope]

Good idea shansta but i dont have a dishwasher,guess i'll have to try the flame.

[MartyJ]

Have you tried Nifty and a rag?  Here are some before and after shots of a LAH I did ages ago.

Nifty is available at your local supermarket and is very good for cleaning.  Just don't use it directly on decals (ie on ramps).

[necroscope]

that came up well marty, thanks for the tip will get some tommorow and give it a whirl next weekend.thanks mate

[MartyJ]

No problems Ben.

With that particular ramp, as it had no decals / stickers I put it in a tub (big o'l one from Bunnings), sprayed Nifti on it, gave it a rinse then washed out the tub.  Put it back in, more Nifti and let it soak with some warmish to hot water (not boiling).  Used a toothbrush to get into the fine places and then rinsed well with water when finished.