Removing gloss finish from plastic?

Reflux · Mar 22, 2012

Hey modders.

Just wondering, my backup mouse has some very fine gloss finish over the plastic. It's one of the Razer Deathadder clones I made that thread on about this time last year.

Anyway, just wondering how to get it off to make it usable, I won't be disassembling it because it was only £4, just want to make it usable while I choose a new one.

Thanks!

CramComplex · Mar 22, 2012

No other way than sandpaper...haven't tried paint stripper as it might eat plastic, I used MrColor laquer thinner before on my kits to remove paint but the plastics got brittle and broke. IMHO go with 320 grit to 400 grit to 600 grit to 1000 grit for a smooth finish

Reflux · Mar 22, 2012

I only have 800 grit, won't matter too much just might take a bit more work.

CramComplex · Mar 22, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reflux

I only have 800 grit, won't matter too much just might take a bit more work.

Do you have an exacto knife? because what you could do is scrape it off...

Take a look at this video @ 7:45

See how he scrapes the plastic? I did that with my sentinel to remove the rubber grip on it...it's pretty easy thjen after scraping it off...sand it down a little bit.

Lutro0 · Mar 24, 2012

To easily remove that gloss finish, use a buffing wheel http://www.amazon.com/Buffing-Wheel-6-x-1/dp/B003B3IL0Y and some http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-230A-Rubbing-Compound/dp/B00009V3ZE/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_b followed by http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-241A-Polishing-Compound/dp/B0009JKGJ2/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1332568069&sr=1-3-catcorr

But honestly the rubbing compound alone will be enough to take the gloss away.

If you use sandpaper you will put scratches into the plastic, the rubbing compound is a very very find sandpaper in a sense, you will have to be carefull with the buffing wheel to not melt the plastic but it works wonders if attached to a drill.

However it really all comes down to how much of the finish is on it. But this will effectively and for the best looks take a gloss finish and turn it uniformly dull.

d2coza · Jan 27, 2013

Hi guys,

I was struggling with a similar problem on the matte finish frame of my Oakley sunglasses. I tried several remedies, but the best end result was achieved with the simplest tool: one of those 3M kitchen/dishwashing sponges, the one with the thin abrasive pad attached to it. Use this pad very, *very* lightly, and you'll be able to incur slight enough (and importantly, consistent enough) scratching to remove shine and mimic very closely most "matte" finishes found on consumer plastics. Be careful not to overdo it.

Another tip from the automative world for whoever may need it: If your problem is the opposite to this and you need to remove scratches from black glossy plastic, get hold of a product called PlastX from Meguiars. It's a super-fine plastic polish, used in conjunction with the best and cleanest microfiber cloth you can find. After you've buffed out your scratches, finish it off with a carnauba or synthetic wax (yes, the stuff used to wax your car). Most waxes contain what are referred to as "fillers", which conceal the finest level of scratches that the plastic polish can't get rid off. Your finish will be back to new!

Cheers
Martin

Removing gloss finish from plastic?

Reflux

CramComplex

Reflux

CramComplex

Lutro0

d2coza

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