Really bad hazing after using PlastX

M

mclaren411

New member
I posted this on another forum and I thought I would also try here.





I tried to remove some of the small scratches on my gauge cluster using Meguiars PlastX and it left some really bad hazing. I called the Meguiars hotline and they recommended using another microfiber cloth. When that didn't remove the hazing, I called again and they told me to use a foam applicator. That didn't work either. The haze seems to be inside the plastic and it wasn't there before. Any suggestions?
 
No, I can't remove the piece. I don't think there are any scratches on the other side as that is the inside face of the gauge cluster, which has never been touched.
 
What did you mean when you said "The haze seems to be inside the plastic and it wasn't there before"? Sounds to me like you thought it was on the other side too?



What polishes do you have? Maybe go over it with a finishing polish.
 
D&D Auto Detail said:
What did you mean when you said "The haze seems to be inside the plastic and it wasn't there before"? Sounds to me like you thought it was on the other side too?



What polishes do you have? Maybe go over it with a finishing polish.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but by that I meant that the PlastX seems to have embedded the haze into the plastic. Before, the plastic was clear, just had lots of small scratches. The only polish I have is a Turtle Wax polish. Is that okay...can you recommend any other over the counter polish which would be applicable here? Thank you.
 
I used plastx and got haze too but I'm not sure what caused it. I even tried some megs 83 on the lights to see if that would take out the haze but it didn't do anything.
 
Sounds like it's soft plastic and you essentially compounded it, so you removed the smaller deep scratches and left some haze behind. At least, that's my guess. The only issue now is finding an even lighter polish to clean up the plastic with. You could try menzerna final polish II, which might work, but you would have to order it.
 
mclaren411 said:
Sorry, but by that I meant that the PlastX seems to have embedded the haze into the plastic. Before, the plastic was clear, just had lots of small scratches. The only polish I have is a Turtle Wax polish. Is that okay...can you recommend any other over the counter polish which would be applicable here? Thank you.
Click to expand...



Gotcha. Like I mentioned in my previous post, and like Picus just said, try to go over it with something finer. Ive never used Turtle Wax polish. But maybe you could find some Megs polish OTC that would work?
 
Could you recommend a Meguiars polish for this application? I don't have much experience with polishes...I am a newbie to car detailing.
 
Plastx is strong and can haze if not worked until nearly dry, I believe it has some strong abrasives which can leave a hazy surface if not worked until broken down. If you have to go otc I like TW premium polishing compound in the black squeeze bottle. Leaves a pretty fine finish and is relatively mild, if you need stronger polishing action get their premium rubbing compound in the squeeze bottle it's a pretty good combo for paint too.
 
I have bought it but i didn't use it yet...I guess that you have to work it more time like you do with paint polishes until it is break down completely or maybe it is too strong for this plastic..

Those are just my thoughts,as i haven't tried it yet.
 
Would it make a difference if I applied the PlastX in the morning, when its cooler? Could the heat of the day have caused the product to dry quickly and left a haze? Should I try to apply the PlastX in the morning to remove the haze or should I use one of the products mentioned above?
 
Yes definitely work it when cooler if it dried out before breaking down you get the haze. The products always seem to have the "Work in a cool dry surface," preface.
 
I've used Novus plastic cleaner #1 for a long time on things like the gauge cluster cover, helmet visors, headlight covers, etc. Really excellent product. They have other products in the line, #2, #3, for more serious scratch removal.



novuspolish
 
Another vote for the Novus Plastic Polishes. If I was in your situation and had to buy some polish for a gauge cluster I'd get the small Novus kit that comes with #1, 2 & 3. That stuff will last you for years and comes in very handy.



One problem I think you had with the PlastX are the diminishing abrasives. You have to keep working it to break down the abrasives, and working in a cramped area by hand might have made that difficult. You might want to try the PlastX on a similar piece of plastic you have somewhere outside of the car to get the feel for using it.
 
Like a lot of Meguiar's polishes, the abrasives break down as you polish them. You need to work the polish until it clears and the haze should disappear. That said PlastiX is a bit strong for gauge clusters IMO. They make a few products that I prefer. See their #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner, #18 Clear Plastic Detailer and #10 Clear Plastic Polish.
 
Eliot Ness said:
Another vote for the Novus Plastic Polishes. If I was in your situation and had to buy some polish for a gauge cluster I'd get the small Novus kit that comes with #1, 2 & 3. That stuff will last you for years and comes in very handy.



One problem I think you had with the PlastX are the diminishing abrasives. You have to keep working it to break down the abrasives, and working in a cramped area by hand might have made that difficult. You might want to try the PlastX on a similar piece of plastic you have somewhere outside of the car to get the feel for using it.
Click to expand...

Before I order the Novus Starter Kit, I just wanted to ask if you think it will remove the haze left over from the PlastX?



qwertydude: I applied the PlastX in the morning with similar results. The hazing is slightly less apparent but it is still there. Also, it seems like I have more micro scratches than I had before I used the product.



jfelbab: After applying the product, I worked it in for a good 5 minutes using a foam applicator pad. Then I buffed with a microfiber towel. It just seems like the product won't buff out.



I appreciate all the responses. I just didn't expect a simple thing like this to go so wrong. Again, thank you.
 
mclaren411 said:
Before I order the Novus Starter Kit, I just wanted to ask if you think it will remove the haze left over from the PlastX?........
Click to expand...
Yes I do, I have seen some pretty nasty plastic cleaned up to look like new with the Novus. It might take some time and a lot of elbow grease but it really is good stuff. I would start out with the least aggressive of the three. I doubt you'll need #3 but if so you'll have it and if not it might come in handy on a different project.



I just got out my PlastX (haven't used it in ages) and I agree with jfelbab that it might have been too strong for the light plastic on a gauge cluster.



I would play around with the Novus polishes on something outside of the car to get a feel for them before tackling your gauge cluster. Having an understanding and feel for how a product like this works often makes the difference between a successful or botched project.
 
Eliot Ness said:
.... I agree with jfelbab that it might have been too strong for the light plastic on a gauge cluster....
Click to expand...





IIRC, the back of the bottle even says not to use on instrument cluster plastic, along w/ a few other types. Its mainly for head/tail lights.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top