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Repairing scratched black celluloid

stickista

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Anyone have a good technique for repairing or polishing out light scratches to a black celluloid surface?
 
Mother's Mag Polish or Poly Watch.

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Poly Watch restores plastic watch crystals. For me, the Mother's, even though it's sold as a metal polish, is as gentle for polishing scratches out of watch crystals as the Poly Watch and is way less expensive.
 
Anyone have a good technique for repairing or polishing out light scratches to a black celluloid surface?
Back at the factory, they use light grades of car duco-like cutting compound and a buffing wheel/mop. Just mind you don't snag any lettering or logos 🙂
Also, openings in the grill pattern could end up being clogged with compound.🤔
 
If the scratches are too deep for polishing you should start with light sanding (perhaps first with grain 400, then 800).
Then it's time for polishing which should also be done in at least two phases, one with a coarser polish (typically darker color) and then a fine polish (typically lighter color). I use polishing "bars" from Carini (carinidena.it) but any type of polish may work as well.
 
If the scratches are too deep for polishing you should start with light sanding (perhaps first with grain 400, then 800).
Then it's time for polishing which should also be done in at least two phases, one with a coarser polish (typically darker color) and then a fine polish (typically lighter color). I use polishing "bars" from Carini (carinidena.it) but any type of polish may work as well.
So does that mean you disagree with the Mag polish suggestion? I ordered a small amount which arrives tomorrow.
The scratches are pretty light. I stupidly set my accordina on top of my bando
 
Mother's Mag Polish or Poly Watch.

8f3e-025cbcef5da4.b1787b53daf273000dfba7dc8ba7defb.jpg




51WT5lRW4QL.jpg



Poly Watch restores plastic watch crystals. For me, the Mother's, even though it's sold as a metal polish, is as gentle for polishing scratches out of watch crystals as the Poly Watch and is way less expensive.
What kind of cloth would I use to apply/polish using th mag polish?
 
I have lots of pink cotton shop rags such as an automotive garage uses. I use them in my firearms hobby. I use the well used, much washed ones that have faded to almost gray and are very soft.

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If sterner measures are required for removing scratches in plastic watch crystals I once used both the course and fine grit compound from an ancient double ended can of Clover Valve Grinding Compound that had been my dads on the hesalite crystal of an Omega Speedmaster to take out a deep scuff. Judicious use of coarse, then fine Clover compounds, then Mother's Mag Polish, finishing with the Poly Watch gave a "crystal" clear watch crystal.
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I had wondered if I had thinned the crystal excessively, but the watch is still wearing its original crystal years after "the treatment."

One will have to use compounds judiciously on his accordion, taking care not to bear down hard while polishing or a flat surface could be dished. Also, it would be necessary to keep the compound off of any bright work, off of the keyboard, and away from the bellows. I have used Mother's to tidy up the front of my accordion with perfect satisfaction. With the damaged watch crystal I had nothing to lose long as I kept the compound off the watch's bezel and case lugs. If the crystal was ruined I would have simply replaced it. I have never had to resort to Clover Compound for accordions, yet.
 
So does that mean you disagree with the Mag polish suggestion? I ordered a small amount which arrives tomorrow.
The scratches are pretty light. I stupidly set my accordina on top of my bando
I do not agree or disagree. I have no experience with any other polish than the one I got from Carini.
 
I use Commandant 4 cleaner: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Commandant-1830590-C45C-Cleaner-0-5/dp/B00DZGIZYE/ref=sr_1_1_pp

Saw it used to finish accordions in an online video - he used 1500 grit first then this stuff.
It is also fairly cheap - 0.5kg for £10, and has no silicone.

Edit: And as others have said use a soft cloth that has no grit in it - I keep mine in freezer bags.
I wouldn't use paper towels as they can have a few abrasive flakes.
 
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