toothpaste and smudge on plastic

[imported_pdsterns]

I'm traveling currently and don't have any cleaning items with me. I would imagine that plexol might be best, but I don't have any. Anyway I got a small smudge/rub on my GPS screen, which is plastic and wonder if toothpaste and a cloth is okay to use, I've heard it was good for some glass scratches.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I used to work with a guy who had made some Lucite (plexiglass) display models for my company. The Lucite had been machined, which hazed it all up. He said he used toothpaste to polish it back to transparency. I'd give it a shot, just be careful which cloth and try it on part of the screen where it's not in the way, in case it makes it worse.

 

[togwt]

Toothpaste contains abrasives and bleach so heed Setec Astronomy's advice and try it on an inconspicous area (if there is such a thing on a Nav screen)



You could also dampen your cloth to make it slightly abrasive.



I guess a third option would be 'do nothing' and wait until you reach home.

 

[splattj]

It may not be a good idea to polish it if the screen has an anti-glare coating on it...

 

[imported_pdsterns]

I really don't think that there is an antireflective coating, I think I'll give the corner of the screen a wipe.

 

[scottabir]

The Lucite had been machined, which hazed it all up. He said he used toothpaste to polish it back to transparency

Some Bench hands use toothpaste as a metal polish when bringing up a piece of steel to a mirror finish.

 

[Lowejackson]

I really don't think that there is an antireflective coating, I think I'll give the corner of the screen a wipe.

I admire your bravery and willingness to experiment whilst on the road.

 

[foxtrapper]

Toothpaste contains abrasives and bleach

Bleach is not in any toothpaste that I searched, nor can I find a single claim of bleach being in any toothpaste. What's your basis for this statement?

 

[imported_pdsterns]

I'm home now and the toothpaste was to mild to remove the scratch/smudge. What should I try next?

 

[imported_pdsterns]

bump

 

[Eliot Ness]

Two products that come to mind would be Novus plastic polish and Meg's PlastX.



I have used Novus in the past and recently PlastX, both with good results on plastic. Be careful and good luck!



http://www.noscratch.com/novus/



http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/meg-g-12310.html

 

[togwt]

Bleach is not in any toothpaste that I searched, nor can I find a single claim of bleach being in any toothpaste. What's your basis for this statement?

I understood that the whitening used in toothpaste was an oxide.

My basis for this statement was that if I manage to get toothpaste on a dark coloured T-shirt it 'bleaches' it to a localised white stain.



I was more concered with the effects of the abrasiveness of toothpaste on the plastic Nav screen than it 'bleaching' properties



JonM

 

[imported_pdsterns]

I tried Scratch X on plastic window guards and it worked great. Tried it on the GPS screen for about 10 minutes of rubbing and it greatly reduced the smudge/scratch. I'm sure with a little more effort it will remove all of the smudge. Scratch x is becoming my "go to" for small imperfections.