Really bad hazing after using PlastX

[mclaren411]

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.

So I went to the Harley dealer in my town and purchased Novus 1 and 2. I applied #1 first just to see if it would clean up the haze. No improvement. Then I tried #2 and after buffing for at least 10 minutes, these are the results:







Any ideas as to what I am doing wrong? In the picture, that looks like residue, but I cannot get it off.

 

[evo77]

To be honest, with such a small, tight, recessed area to work with, applying even pressure against the entire work surface would be difficult thus not giving desired results.



If it were me, I would remove the instrument cluster and disassemble the bezel leaving only the plastic lense. Throw it on a work bench and try polishing it again.

 

[mclaren411]

After looking at the repair manual for the car, it seems like removing the bezel is a long and tedious process, requiring you to remove most of the trim on the drivers side. Hopefully, there is a solution that is less time consuming.



If it was easier, I would have taken the bezel off as I can see some of the paint being removed by the PlastX on the bezel.



If anything, I will have to take the car to a professional detailer in the area. It shouldn't cost too much to repair the plastic.

 

[qwertydude]

After my grits and gravy test, you can see it on detailing product discussion. I'm gonna have to recommend M105 for plastic from now on. Seems it really does cut and not haze, scratch or otherwise damage plastic. Used it on my tail lights and and it polished it up quicker than Plast-x has on previous occassions.

 

[buzzb]

I had the same problem, awful hazing, on the plastic covering my instrument panel on my G35. I tried Meg's Plastx and it seemed to make it worse. This was using a towel. Well I kept at it and used a foam applicator, mostly using one finger as there's not a lot of room, and FINALLY got it cleared up again. What I found was the plastic Infiniti uses has a tint to it that kept looking hazy. Once I used less polish and a foam applicator, with LOTS of effort- approx. 15-20 mins, the plastic is clear as a bell now. The plastx REMOVED the tint but at least it finally looks clean and clear, even when the sun hits it directly (which is what I wanted). I would try the plastx with a foam applicator, only a dot of polish, and work it in real real good. If there's still no improvement I would post your experience on MOL and see if someone can help.

 

[mclaren411]

I am going to try that tomorrow morning. I think that my car's plastic also has a tint to it, so maybe that is what is giving the haze. I tried practicing using PlastX on an old, scratched up CD and although it didn't remove any scratches, it also didn't haze or put in new scratches. If I am not successful, I think I am just going to have this professionally done...no use spending any more money and wasting more time. Thanks.

 

[Eliot Ness]

........Any ideas as to what I am doing wrong? In the picture, that looks like residue, but I cannot get it off.

QUOTE=evo77;1165623]To be honest, with such a small, tight, recessed area to work with, applying even pressure against the entire work surface would be difficult thus not giving desired results.............[/QUOTE]

.......This was using a towel. Well I kept at it and used a foam applicator, mostly using one finger as there's not a lot of room, and FINALLY got it cleared up again. ..........

I suspect it is a couple of different factors as mentioned above causing your problems. You're working in a very tight area on pretty light plastic and it's hard to apply even pressure. As suggested I would be using foam and if needed I'd cut it in smaller pieces.