Jump to content

Removing scratches from plastic


Apollo

Recommended Posts

I've got a few "used" pens that I'd like to clean up a bit and was wondering what you folks use or recommend?

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p202/Apollo3000/es-canary-islands-flag1s.gif Bendita mi tierra guanche.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 20
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • KendallJ

    5

  • KCat

    4

  • Apollo

    2

  • Gerry

    1

Top Posters In This Topic

i have used Flitz and a rag in most cases. A lot of folks recommend Simichrome (several pen dealers sell it) and Tryphon Enterprises (Giovanni Abrate) sells several pen polishing products. I don't highly recommend the pen polish that FPH sells - though the gentle polish for modern plastics does put a nice shine on the pens, it doesn't do much for scratches. at least, not with my wimpy muscles.

 

I have used a mechanical device to polish pens and we've discussed that in some depth on the board. I'll give the links here but please do read them all for all the viewpoints. I would hate for someone new to the hobby to do what I do without knowing the risks. I personally prefer to use it because my hands are not very strong. but read all the info.

 

I've listed these according to posting order:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=210

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=274

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=342

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=1073

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=1288

KCat
Save animal lives - support your local animal shelter

My personal blog https://kcdockalscribbling.com

My nature blog https://kcbeachscribbles.com
Venerable are letters, infinitely brave, forlorn, and lost. V. Woolf, Jacob's Room

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apollo, I believe there are some threads that were batted around on this topic. Links are below. Sorry for the overload. I think you can get good recommendations on pen polishes to use for hand polishing pens. These include: Tryphon (which I have), Simichrome, etc. (others chime in here with your favorite brand.

 

A sordid few of us have toyed around with machine polishing pens. High risk proposition, but saves on the elbow grease. (Keith add a disclaimer here or something ;) )

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...indpost&p=12597

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...findpost&p=1026

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...indpost&p=11136

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...findpost&p=9972

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...findpost&p=1969

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...findpost&p=1436

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...findpost&p=7968

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...=findpost&p=549

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...findpost&p=7018

Kendall Justiniano
Who is John Galt?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

darn Kcat you beat me to it again...

 

I found more links than you did :P

Kendall Justiniano
Who is John Galt?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

darn Kcat you beat me to it again...

 

I found more links than you did :P

well.. post 'em by golly! I got fatigued looking through all those posts..

KCat
Save animal lives - support your local animal shelter

My personal blog https://kcdockalscribbling.com

My nature blog https://kcbeachscribbles.com
Venerable are letters, infinitely brave, forlorn, and lost. V. Woolf, Jacob's Room

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow! Thanks for the links. Lot's of good reading. I guess I should have done a search first before posting, eh? KCat & KendallJ, thanks a bunch. :)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p202/Apollo3000/es-canary-islands-flag1s.gif Bendita mi tierra guanche.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apollo, not to worry. Kcat and I were heavily involved in those threads so we knew right where to look. What sort of pen are you going to polish? modern or vintage?

 

I just polished up my Filcao Atlantica last night using a dremel and muslin buff. I don't think the pen had a really good finish on it, and now it is much better....

Kendall Justiniano
Who is John Galt?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apollo, not to worry. Kcat and I were heavily involved in those threads so we knew right where to look. What sort of pen are you going to polish? modern or vintage?

yeah - it would have taken you a bit longer to find them and i certainly didn't mind looking for 'em. I would have just written everything I've ever written before (you'll find I never mind repeating myself) but figured you should have the benefit of dissenting and agreeing responses. :)

 

and you'll find I never mind repeating myself. :P

KCat
Save animal lives - support your local animal shelter

My personal blog https://kcdockalscribbling.com

My nature blog https://kcbeachscribbles.com
Venerable are letters, infinitely brave, forlorn, and lost. V. Woolf, Jacob's Room

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

For plastics, I agree with the Novus 1,2,3 these are very good products. Read the package carefully, you may not want to buy all three.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i have used Flitz and a rag in most cases. A lot of folks recommend Simichrome (several pen dealers sell it) and Tryphon Enterprises (Giovanni Abrate) sells several pen polishing products. I don't highly recommend the pen polish that FPH sells - though the gentle polish for modern plastics does put a nice shine on the pens, it doesn't do much for scratches. at least, not with my wimpy muscles.

 

I have used a mechanical device to polish pens and we've discussed that in some depth on the board. I'll give the links here but please do read them all for all the viewpoints. I would hate for someone new to the hobby to do what I do without knowing the risks. I personally prefer to use it because my hands are not very strong. but read all the info.

 

I've listed these according to posting order:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=210

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=274

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=342

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=1073

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=1288

I visited Flitz. Which one are you refering to? And can I get it at the regualr hardware store?

 

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just polished up my Filcao Atlantica last night using a dremel and muslin buff. I don't think the pen had a really good finish on it, and now it is much better....

Just a cautionary side note: I've managed to wear away a noticable chunk from a celluloid pen using a Dremel and felt wheel in a rather short time. Fortunately it was a cheapie practice pen, but it made me wary of repeating the exercise.

And I didn't have the heart to tell her why.
And there wasn't a part of me that didn't want to say goodbye.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Everyone wants to caution me! Keith where are you.

 

Pearlfox, the problem there is the use of felt. Muslin provides a different heat dissipation profile. I too have tried felt wheels, and will NEVER use them on a pen. Even on a low speed, a felt wheel will melt plastic.

Kendall Justiniano
Who is John Galt?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I visited Flitz. Which one are you refering to? And can I get it at the regualr hardware store?

 

 

Thanks.

hi... this is the one I have used.

 

PASTE METAL POLISH, FIBERGLASS & PAINT RESTORER

 

it says metal but IME it is very gentle - supposedly "non-abrasive" (i find this term difficult to swallow for any polish that will take off grime and remove scratches). of course, you wouldn't want to use it on plated metal or laquer. But it has worked well on my plastic pens of various types with no problems at all.

 

i have never seen flitz in a hardware store. But I live in an area where such things can be hard to find and where the local auto-hardware guy looked at me like I was nuts when I asked for 100% Silicone grease.

KCat
Save animal lives - support your local animal shelter

My personal blog https://kcdockalscribbling.com

My nature blog https://kcbeachscribbles.com
Venerable are letters, infinitely brave, forlorn, and lost. V. Woolf, Jacob's Room

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...I live in an area where such things can be hard to find and where the local auto-hardware guy looked at me like I was nuts when I asked for 100% Silicone grease.

Been there, done that and bought the T-shirt! :lol:

We fountain pen people sometimes get weird looks from salespeople, don't we? :lol:

 

I think my pen mentor uses that Novus product (not sure which ones he has, though...)

I was using Simichrome, but I've heard that it is more abrasive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

" Everyone wants to caution me! Keith where are you."

 

Right here... :D

 

But I agree with you...

 

Dremels and felt wheels are an accident waiting to happen as the Dremel runs at high speed and felt generates an extreme amount of heat in a very short period of time.

 

Muslin wheels are much better although a little elbow grease and a touch of Simichrome or other mildly abrasive polishes can go a long way.

Please visit http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/

Please direct repair inquiries to capitalpen@shaw.ca

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can some one tells me the parts number for the Dremel muslin buff?

 

If the Dremel is too fast, may be we can just do it by hand.

 

Keith, wonder if you have time for coffee some time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Regarding Flitz and where to find: don't forget to check out your local chefs' or kitchen materials specialty outlet. That's where I found my Flitz :D .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Apollo et al,

 

Just a thought, I tried the Dremel route and found that even at low speed it was a bit too much unless used with the softest muslin mop and extreme care.

 

Several years on a visit to a friends house for a chat,As we sat in the kitchen while we chatted I noticed his daughter playing around with a finger nail cutter and polisher for false nails. She gave me some funny looks when I picked it up after she had done what she was doing and examined it, I found it was a low torque, moderate speed polisher with assorted heads. :eureka:

 

The one she had didn't have a chuck but I found one from a salon at a Flea market that did and it will take Dremel tools. I can't find any makers name on it so I can't pass that information on, but I have seen one by Revlon that is rechargeable and cordless and I am sure there are others. They are designed to cut shape and polish Acrylic plastics so if used with care they should be OK for modern pen plastics and so far the one I have hasn't damaged any of my pens.

 

As for polish I tend to use Farecla G10 surface finishing compound and Micromesh finishing polish on a piece of lint free polishing cloth from a body shop.

 

Cheers John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The nail polishing appliance has featured in a couple of previous discussions - particularly in posts by KCat. [see pinned topics]

 

Actually, there's a lot of good material up there. I'll add this thread to the list too.

 

Gerry

 

 

[ED - ooops - it was already there.... :doh: ]

Edited by Gerry
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33501
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26627
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...