Windscreen wipers, sand and salt damage plastic windscreens. However, with a little time and pressure in the arm, the marks can be removed again. We have tested how well the different acrylic glass polishes work in several test series. It should be noted here that our test only relates to acrylic glass panes (Plexiglas) and not to polycarbonate panes (Makrolon). The candidates were Rot Weiß Acryl- & Plexiglas Polierpaste, Xerapol Plastic Polish, Yachticon Acrylglas Kratzerentferner, Dr Keddo Acrylan and Acrylan Spezial, Starbrite Plastic Scratch Remover and Plastic Polish Restorer as well as the Quixx Repair System. Xerapol states that the latter is not suitable for polycarbonate (PC). In contrast, the products from Yachticon and Starbrite are also said to be suitable for PC. There was no corresponding information on the packaging of the other polishes.
To achieve comparable results, you need a comparable base. We used new acrylic glass panes as test samples and scratched them evenly. We decided on three different types of scratches: light circular scratches from rags and sand, medium scratches from 400 grit sandpaper and deep scratches from a nail. In addition to the uniform base, the polishing work must also be uniform. As the products tested are available in different sets, we decided to carry out several series of tests.
- By hand (microfibre polishing cloth from the DIY store), only the acrylic polishes. If there were two products from one manufacturer, both were used one after the other in all test series.
- By machine with a drill (approx. 300 rpm) and polishing sponge
- Remove the scratches by hand with 2000 grit wet sandpaper, then polish by hand.
- Remove the scratches by hand with 2000 grit wet sandpaper, then by hand with a sanding and polishing paste that changes its grit from 600 to 1200 (in this case Yachticon Refit) during the work process. Finally, polish by machine with a polishing sponge.
The evaluation criteria for the success of the products were the removal of scratches with the same amount of work and the streaks left behind after polishing and cleaning. In general, polishes differ in terms of their aggressiveness or grain size. A coarser product removes deeper scratches better than a softer one, but leaves more streaks. Consequently, some manufacturers have several acrylic polishes in their programme. Dr Keddo, Starbrite and Quixx (Quixx only available as a set) each offer two such polishes. One for coarser scratches and one for a finer finish. These team players also achieved consistently better results than the lone warriors. Only Xerapol put a positive spanner in the works. Especially with hand polishing, the product was sufficient to remove our light and medium scratches and also achieve a high gloss. In terms of scratch removal with hand polishing, Dr Keddo's products are the best after Xerapol, but leave behind heavy streaks. Yachticon's acrylic polish leaves the fewest streaks. However, it is the worst at removing scratches without further preparation.
During machine polishing, lambskin discs from the DIY store showed their scratchy side. They consistently left more streaks than polishing sponges. We therefore only polished with the sponges from then on. In test series three and four, 2000-grit wet sandpaper was used until the scratches were removed. This meant that the three types of scratches in this sector always received the same score. While only two products showed a very good effect in pass three (manual work), all products removed the scratches (or the 2000 wet marks) very well in pass four. This procedure with preliminary work using 2000-grit wet sandpaper, sanding and polishing paste and a machine finish with polishing sponge and acrylic polish delivered consistently successful results. The only differences were in the formation of streaks.
In terms of price, all products are in the same league at between €9.50 and €12.95 per pack. With Starbrite and Dr Keddo, you need both products and pay twice as much. Quixx and Xerapol have by far the highest prices per litre. However, both packs contain a micro sandpaper.
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