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Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
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Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
I have a black plastic Stuka in very good condition that I apparently committed a plastic offense on...
I used a strong degreaser on the fuse and wings and it clouded the plastic.
Any tips on shining it back up? What do you guys use to polish plastic?
Greg
I used a strong degreaser on the fuse and wings and it clouded the plastic.
Any tips on shining it back up? What do you guys use to polish plastic?
Greg
Sig Skyray- Gold Member
- Posts : 222
Join date : 2015-04-02
Age : 59
Location : Lake Mary, FL
Re: Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
I use Meguiar's G12310 PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish on the plastic parts of my motorcycle, like the fairing parts and windshield on my tourer, on car hard plastic including headlight lenses, radio and appliance plastic. It gently removes hazing from weathering, light scratches. That is available in most auto parts and department stores with an auto section.
For harder etchings, I've used Turtle Wax White Polishing Compound and Scratch Remover, available also in the auto section. It has a mild abrasive, then followed up with the PlastX.
I'd test it first on an inconspicuous spot or on something else to get the hang of it. You may find that these provide a finish much shinier than the original, may take some practice to get a finish that looks inconspicous and blends with the surrounding surfaces.
YMMV (your mileage may vary)
For harder etchings, I've used Turtle Wax White Polishing Compound and Scratch Remover, available also in the auto section. It has a mild abrasive, then followed up with the PlastX.
I'd test it first on an inconspicuous spot or on something else to get the hang of it. You may find that these provide a finish much shinier than the original, may take some practice to get a finish that looks inconspicous and blends with the surrounding surfaces.
YMMV (your mileage may vary)
GallopingGhostler- Diamond Member
- Posts : 2550
Join date : 2013-07-13
Age : 66
Location : Clovis, Nuevo México
Re: Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
That's the stuff Greg, I just couldn't think of how to spell "Meguiars".
Thanks GG.
Bob

Bob
rsv1cox- Top Poster
Posts : 5824
Join date : 2014-08-18
Location : West Virginia
Re: Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
Been there, done that.
The problem when polystyrene “fogs,” is that it is not just a surface issue.
What has happened is the plastic has been etched. That etching can penetrate deeply depending
on the amount of degreaser used to clean it. What I have used for all my models is Dawn dishwashing liquid
in warm water to clean the item. Then I’ll clean it again using rubbing alcohol.
Afterwards, I clean it yet again with Dawn. When the cleaning is finished, I use Novus #3 to polish and remove scratches.
Wash it again, then use Novus #2 to bring out the shine.
Because the plastic has been etched, though, Novus will “polish” it slightly, but it will always have a satin-esque finish.
You probably won’t be able to polish the model to a “wet” shine without removing a significant amount of model detail. (Rivets, panel lines, etc.)

The problem when polystyrene “fogs,” is that it is not just a surface issue.
What has happened is the plastic has been etched. That etching can penetrate deeply depending
on the amount of degreaser used to clean it. What I have used for all my models is Dawn dishwashing liquid
in warm water to clean the item. Then I’ll clean it again using rubbing alcohol.
Afterwards, I clean it yet again with Dawn. When the cleaning is finished, I use Novus #3 to polish and remove scratches.
Wash it again, then use Novus #2 to bring out the shine.
Because the plastic has been etched, though, Novus will “polish” it slightly, but it will always have a satin-esque finish.
You probably won’t be able to polish the model to a “wet” shine without removing a significant amount of model detail. (Rivets, panel lines, etc.)
Mudhen- Gold Member
- Posts : 459
Join date : 2011-09-19
Re: Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
Hiya, Mud. Good to see the old Superhog snort. I bet y'all's flying weather is nice and hot out in San Diego by now. You been having any fun?
Rusty
Rusty
_________________
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...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
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...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
RknRusty- Rest In Peace
Posts : 10869
Join date : 2011-08-10
Age : 64
Location : South Carolina, USA
Re: Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
Haha! Where's your polishing advice Rusty ! I must've missed it. Just kidding of course. Oh, BTW, I identified my little yellow and red stunt trainer (now my avatar). It's a Sig Deweybird.RknRusty wrote:Hiya, Mud. Good to see the old Superhog snort. I bet y'all's flying weather is nice and hot out in San Diego by now. You been having any fun?
Rusty
The good news is... the clouding is minor and I got less on the wings than I thought. Mostly just around the engine area, but it's light and the plastic there is all smooth. I appreciate the advice, I'll pick up some Meguiar's G12310 PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish and I'm going to look into the Novus too. They have it at my local Walmart.
Thanks! Greg
Last edited by Sig Skyray on Tue Jun 02, 2015 4:22 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Clarity)
Sig Skyray- Gold Member
- Posts : 222
Join date : 2015-04-02
Age : 59
Location : Lake Mary, FL
Re: Cox Stuka and polishing plastic
RknRusty wrote:Hiya, Mud. Good to see the old Superhog snort. I bet y'all's flying weather is nice and hot out in San Diego by now. You been having any fun?
Rusty
Hi Rusty

The weather's sweet...but it's too windy 15 - 20kts.
If I go, it's usually early in the morn.
Mudhen- Gold Member
- Posts : 459
Join date : 2011-09-19
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