View Full Version : Any tips for polishing plastic dial covers?


Dubis7
01-09-2019, 09:30 AM
I'm looking to take a crack at a GE 416 radio. This is actually a project I did years and years ago, so it works, but apparently I used the wrong kind of capacitor (ceramic disc) and the soldering work generally isn't up to snuff (I'm sure there's more than a few cold joints, this was my first restoration project so I can do much better now.)

Anyway, one of the problems I'd like to address is the clear plastic dial cover. It's foggy, with some scratches, and I'd like to clean it up. I'm considering using some Novus, but I'm not sure that's the best material. I can provide pictures if necessary, but just picture the sort of clouding you see on car headlights if that helps. Any thoughts on products or tools that would be worth looking into?

Celt
01-09-2019, 10:50 AM
I would think the headlight restoration polish would be your best bet.

MadMan
01-10-2019, 02:33 AM
Post pics. Cuz the cloudy look of car headlights is caused by lots of micro cracks, and while you can polish it and make an improvement, on something like a radio dial cover, I don't think it would help much. Plus sometimes plastic gets cloudy because of chemical breakdown. In which case there's nothing you can do.

zeno
01-10-2019, 09:07 AM
What ever you try do a tiny area first & let it sit a few days.
Also be careful not to clean off any markings !

73 Zeno:smoke:
LFOD !

Notimetolooz
01-10-2019, 09:17 AM
You may have to replace it. This place doesn't seem to have one for your model, but they might make one for you. I suppose you would have to send them your original. These replacements are made from a thinner plastic sheet that is vacuum molded.
https://dialcover.com/jmpalm/Inventory.htm

Or, if you want to you can do it yourself. I think there are a thread or two about making your own dial cover on this forum or on the Antique Radio Forum.

Rog Beltmann
05-19-2019, 07:01 PM
Flitz makes yellow head light covers clear again. Give it a try. It really works.