Scratch Off Application Guide

Scratch Off Application Guide

Removing scratches and restoring clarity to clear polycarbonate surfaces requires a little time even with an electric drill. Be patient. Each step requires polishing for about 3 minutes per 1 sq. ft. of surface area. Restoring an aircraft or boat windshield will take about an hour. While this may seem excessive, competitive products require 5 hours or more to achieve the same level of results.

Tips:

SO-1 is always used with the Yellow Compounding Pad. SO-2 is typically used first with the Yellow Compounding Pad and then used again with the White Polishing Pad. SO-3 and SO-4 are always applied with the White Polishing Pad. Always wash, rinse and pat dry pads between steps.
Try to avoid working in direct sunlight. Mist foam pads lightly with water and apply product as needed to keep pads from drying out. Pads may dry before the compound has reached maximum potential. Simply mist the pad with water and continue working.
If pad becomes "caked" with dry residues, remove pad from backing plate, wash in soapy water, reattach to drill, spin dry at highest speed and pat dry with a Terry cloth.
If using a cordless drill, set speed to highest setting (no more than 1200 rpm). If using an electric drill, limit speed to 1200 rpm. (Most drills have a label indicating the drill's speed.) DO NOT USE SCRATCH OFF AT SPEEDS OVER 1200 RPM.

Before you start:

Determine the extent of the surface imperfection to select the starting point. Not all four steps are necessary. The process is complete when the finish meets your approval.

Chips, gouges & deep scratches. Deep imperfections may require wet sanding with wet/dry sandpaper which is not included in the kit. The worst gouges and scratches may require starting with 600 grit sandpaper. Warning: Wet sanding deep imperfections may cause irreversible distortions. This should be attempted only as a last resort and only if you have experience in wet sanding acrylic surfaces. The Scratch Off System is designed to remove 600 grit and finer imperfections. Follow Steps 1 through 7.
Medium scratches, stains & imperfections (most situations). These are scratches deep enough to feel with your fingernail. Follow Steps 2 through 7.
Fine scratches. These are scratches not easily detected by feel but easily seen by pointing a flashlight at the surface at a 45 degree angle. Follow Steps 3 through 7.
Swirl marks, halos, micro-debris pitting. These are caused by poor cleaning techniques, environmental hazards, normal abrasion and prop blast. Follow steps 5 through 7.

Important: If the imperfection can not be readily removed with your initial first step, go directly to the preceding step.

Scratch Off Application Procedure:

Step 1.

This step should be attempted only as a last resort to restore deeply scratched, chipped or gouged plastic surfaces. Wet sanding clear acrylics requires experience. We do not recommend novices attempt this procedure. Presoak wet/dry sandpapers for at least 60 minutes. For deepest scratches, start with 600 grit sandpaper. Sand until entire surface is uniform. Surface will appear dull or hazy. This is normal. Clarity will be restored in subsequent polishing steps.

Step 2.

Attach the Hook and Loop Backing Plate to your drill and tighten the chuck. If using a cordless drill, select the highest speed setting. If using an electric drill, select a drill that does not exceed 1200 rpm.
Put a Yellow Foam Compounding Pad on the Backing Plate.
Mist pad lightly with water.
Spread a thin layer of SO-1 Micro Cut Compound over the surface of the pad.
Place pad on surface and turn drill on.
Work on areas of 1 sq. ft. Compound first in an up-and-down motion and then in a back-and-forth motion.
Do not bear down. Use the weight of the drill as the only pressure.
Compound each 1 sq. ft. area for 3 minutes. When finished, entire surface should appear uniform.
Continue compounding in 1 sq. ft. sections until entire window is treated. Mist pad lightly with water and add compound as necessary to keep pad from drying out.
Wipe off all residues with the Microfiber cloth.
Remove the Yellow Compounding Pad from the backing plate, wash in soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Put pad back on drill and spin dry at highest speed setting to remove excess water. Pat pad dry with a Terry cloth (not included in kit).

Step 3.

Mist Yellow Foam Pad lightly with water (If pad has become thoroughly dry).
Spread a thin layer of SO-2 Micro Lite Compound over the surface of the pad.
Place pad on surface and turn drill on.
Work on areas of 1 sq. ft. Compound first in an up-and-down motion and then in a back-and-forth motion.
Do not bear down. Use the weight of the drill as the only pressure.
Compound each 1 sq. ft. area for 3 minutes. When finished, entire surface should appear uniform.
Continue compounding in 1 sq. ft. sections until entire window is treated. Mist pad lightly with water and add compound as necessary to keep pad from drying out.
Wipe off all residues with the Microfiber cloth.
Remove the Yellow Compounding Pad from the backing plate, wash in soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Put pad back on drill and spin dry at highest speed setting to remove excess water. Pat pad dry with a Terry cloth (not included in kit).

Step 4.

Put a White Foam Polishing Pad on the Backing Plate.
Mist pad lightly with water.
Spread a thin layer of SO-2 Micro Lite Compound over the surface of the pad.
Place pad on surface and turn drill on.
Work on areas of 1 sq. ft. Compound first in an up-and-down motion and then in a back-and-forth motion.
Do not bear down. Use the weight of the drill as the only pressure.
Compound each 1 sq. ft. area for 3 minutes. When finished, entire surface should appear uniform.
Continue compounding in 1 sq. ft. sections until entire window is treated. Mist pad lightly with water and add compound as necessary to keep pad from drying out.
Wipe off all residues with the Microfiber cloth.
Remove the White polishing Pad from the backing plate, wash in soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Put pad back on drill and spin dry at highest speed setting to remove excess water. Pat pad dry with a Terry cloth (not included in kit).

Step 5.

Mist White Polishing Pad lightly with water.
Spread a thin layer of SO-3 Micro Brite Polish over the surface of the pad.
Place pad on surface and turn drill on.
Work on areas of 1 sq. ft. Compound first in an up-and-down motion and then in a back-and-forth motion.
Do not bear down. Use the weight of the drill as the only pressure.
Compound each 1 sq. ft. area for 3 minutes. When finished, entire surface should appear uniform.
Continue compounding in 1 sq. ft. sections until entire window is treated. Mist pad lightly with water and add polish as necessary to keep pad from drying out.
Wipe off all residues with the Microfiber cloth.
Remove the Yellow Compounding Pad from the backing plate, wash in soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Put pad back on drill and spin dry at highest speed setting to remove excess water. Pat pad dry with a Terry cloth (not included in kit).

Step 6.

Mist White Polishing Pad lightly with water.
Spread a thin layer of SO-4 Micro Shine Sealant over the surface of the pad.
Place pad on surface and turn drill on.
Work on areas of 1 sq. ft. Compound first in an up-and-down motion and then in a back-and-forth motion.
Do not bear down. Use the weight of the drill as the only pressure.
Compound each 1 sq. ft. area for 3 minutes. When finished, entire surface should appear uniform.
Continue compounding in 1 sq. ft. sections until entire window is treated. Mist pad lightly with water and add sealant as necessary to keep pad from drying out.
Wipe off all residues with the Microfiber cloth.
Remove the White Polishing Pad from the backing plate, wash in soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Put pad back on drill and spin dry at highest speed setting to remove excess water. Pat pad dry with a Terry cloth (not included in kit).

Step 7.

For continued maintenance and removal of slight swirl marks, halos and fine scratches, repeat step 6.

WARNING: NOT FOR USE ON PRESSURIZED AIRCRAFT

Never compound or polish windows on a pressurized aircraft without first consulting the aircraft's manufacturer to determine the minimum windscreen thickness. Leave window scratch removal/restoration on pressurized aircraft to professional shops that specialize in pressurized craft. These shops use ultrasonic equipment to accurately measure the window's thickness.