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Author
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Topic: Polishing Apollo 11 medallion in lucite?
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Cagedfalcon
Member Posts: 63
From:
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 11-19-2019 10:15 PM
   
Looking for advice as to whether to polish this Apollo 11 medallion in lucite or leave as found. The top isn't too bad butt bottom side is heavily scratched and difficult to view.Would polishing remove the yellowing or does it go through? Is this an unusual piece or fairly common?  
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mf451
Member Posts: 70
From: NY, NY
Registered: Nov 2014
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posted 11-20-2019 09:17 AM
In my experience with another yellowed lucite, polishing will not remove the yellow color. The acrylic material itself has discolored, usually due to UV exposure. You can certainly try polishing the rougher side, though depending on how deep the scratches are you may need to start with wet sanding and move up through the grits, and then to a polishing compound. The least invasive and easiest method to start with is just with the compound; try looking for the Novus Plastic Polishing kit. I have used it with some success. Even if it doesn't take out the deepest scratches, it can help clean up a piece regardless. Good luck! |
Cagedfalcon
Member Posts: 63
From:
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 11-20-2019 06:47 PM
I figured as much as to the yellowing. I will look for the kit and proceed cautiously. Thank you. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2700
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 11-21-2019 09:05 AM
I used gel toothpaste to polish my Skylab Lucite and it came out well.Add just a drop of water to a spot of gel and rub, cleaning often and seeing what the outcome is a little along. |
Cagedfalcon
Member Posts: 63
From:
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 11-21-2019 08:17 PM
Looking much better and minty fresh. Still a bit of yellowing but only worked on it for about 20+ minutes. Will post pic later. |
goose77
Member Posts: 69
From: Marion, Iowa
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 11-24-2019 07:40 PM
I would really like to see pictures of your progress when you have time. I always thought that scratches could be polished out (at least somewhat) but that yellowed was basically irreversible. |
Cagedfalcon
Member Posts: 63
From:
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 11-25-2019 12:16 AM
Maybe not UV exposure but could have been cigarette smoke? Looks like air or moisture entered the Lucite, may e a crack.Bottom side still needs a wet sanding if I decide to go further. 
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MartinAir
Member Posts: 47
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 05-02-2021 08:45 AM
Interesting/useful thread, thanks. Would it be possible to polish a lucite and/or remove scratches from a lucite with Polywatch (used for polishing acrylic watch crystal e.g. Omega Speedmaster hesalite crystal)? |
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