Deep scratches in plexiglass

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I recently picked up a beat up Mario Bros that I'd like to restore. The plexiglass is overall very damn nice. The artwork is damn near perfect with no noticeable chipping or anything. Unfortunately, some little brat decided to carve his name into it at some point, then some other brat decided to scratch that name out and carve their name in as well. It's pretty deep, but is there anything I could do to try and make it less of an eyesore?

2012-06-23+13_09_27.jpg
 
Ouch! Damn that sucks.. Scratch that punks name out and write yours in it! It's your arcade now!

Wish I really knew an answer for ya but honestly I'm tagging this so once there is a solution I'll gain a little more knowledge.
 
I recently picked up a beat up Mario Bros that I'd like to restore. The plexiglass is overall very damn nice. The artwork is damn near perfect with no noticeable chipping or anything. Unfortunately, some little brat decided to carve his name into it at some point, then some other brat decided to scratch that name out and carve their name in as well. It's pretty deep, but is there anything I could do to try and make it less of an eyesore?

2012-06-23+13_09_27.jpg

a few suggestions but i can't guarantee it will fix it...

suggestion 1. locate some floorwax called Future...my mother used to use it in plexiglass to fill in scratches and it dries clear.

suggestion 2. use all 3 versions of NOVUS Plastic Polish and polish the plexi down till the scratches arn't noticable.

or just go here and order ya a new one - http://www.gameongrafix.com/products/mariobros-bezel-donkey-kong-size


my 2 Cents,


END OF LINE.



Daniel.
 
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suggestion 1. locate some floorwax called Future...my mother used to use it in plexiglass to fill in scratches and it dries clear.

suggestion 2. use all 3 versions of NOVUS Plastic Polish and polish the plexi down till the scratches arn't noticable.

Thanks - I'll look into both of these. I'd rather get a repro as a last resort. The art is still very nice on this that I'd see it completely trashed by some punk kid who likes to ruin things.
 
progressively finer grits of sandpaper, not sure what to start with, ending at around 1000 grit, then Novus 2
 
If your looking for a repo, let me know what size.
I vectorized one last year. I can send you the file to print on glass or plexi.
 
If your looking for a repo, let me know what size.
I vectorized one last year. I can send you the file to print on glass or plexi.

Two questions for the forum....can anyone give me a rough estimate of what it would cost to print a bezel on glass or plexiglass? Just talking out loud but I would think printing the white areas would be difficult?

Second, what type of place would I seek out to have the work done? I can't imagine it's cost effective to have one bezel screen printed but again, I'm thinking out loud and any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!
 
I went through the same thing with my mario bros bezel (and plexi marquee too). I took the high-grit sandpaper and all 3 novus approach. It worked, but not well. The deep scratches can still be seen when the screen is on, and the whole thing is kind of cloudy compared to my reproduction donkey kong bezel next to it. It's acceptable, but it's the ugliest piece on an otherwise perfect cabinet. I even bought a second one that was listed in good shape, but it was actually in pretty bad shape.

If anyone ends up doing a silk screen reproduction, I'd be in for one.
 
I went through the same thing with my mario bros bezel (and plexi marquee too). I took the high-grit sandpaper and all 3 novus approach. It worked, but not well. The deep scratches can still be seen when the screen is on, and the whole thing is kind of cloudy compared to my reproduction donkey kong bezel next to it. It's acceptable, but it's the ugliest piece on an otherwise perfect cabinet.

This is definitely a damn shame.
 
If you use wet and dry sandpaper with lots of water, progressing through grades 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500 then 2000, and finally finish it off with a buffer wheel, which you can buy to fit a regular drill, it'll get the scratches out, guaranteed. I've done this with my clear scratch plate on my Ibanez Universe guitar. Don't be afraid when it goes all dull, it's normal. :eek:)
 
++shadow;

After 1500-2k grit; use novis and or some other scratch remover

Walmart sold a plasic scratch remover a couple if years ago
Either in automotive or paint remover

It has the polish as well as sandpaper
Might try it if I can't find novis
 
I took mine even further to 2500 and 3000 grit sandpaper...all wet sanded, and then went the Novus route. Novus isn't as great as everyone says...it's okay, but won't do much if there's more than just a haze on things.
 
Deep scratches require a pretty aggressive cutting on the first pass of sand paper. For something like you've got, I'd start with 300 or 600 grit and really cut in. Then work your way up to the higher grits, using wet when you can.

I agree, Novus will not work for this. All Novus will do is give you a shiny scratched bezel.
 
shadow and Zitt have the answer here. I use a 4" random orbital buffer that I got for like 30$ brand new. I use a different pad for the novus 3, 2, and 1 buffing. I have had really good success with this approach.

++shadow;

After 1500-2k grit; use novis and or some other scratch remover

Walmart sold a plasic scratch remover a couple if years ago
Either in automotive or paint remover

It has the polish as well as sandpaper
Might try it if I can't find novis
 
I had deep scratches in my battlezone cabaret from either keys or quarters. In my experience smoked is harder to clean up than clear.

Today I wet sanded by hand with the following grits:
320 until no more gouging was visible across the entire viewing area
400, 600, 800, 1000 2 times

The plexi was so hazy you could not see through it even held up to the light. It made me a little nervous even though I have done this numerous times.

I then used my Ryobi 6" buffer
Novus 3 until no scratches or swirl marks could be seen (hazing was still heavy)
Novus 2 until all hazing was gone
Repeated novus 3 and 2
With soft buffing pad on my buffer novus 1​

Took about an hour for the whole process.I also truely believe that you must continue to polish even when the polish starts to dry until all traces of polish are gone. The compounds used in the materials breakdown with friction so the polish will continue to scrub and polish even when dry.​
 

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