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  • how can i remove scratches from laminate?

    Posted by Martin Cole on 29 November 2006 at 16:27

    Hi Folks

    I think I’m asking the impossible here, but has anyone removed scratches for laminated digi print, and if so HOW!

    Fitted around 70mtrs yesterday most of it in the pouring rain, the first lot was fittted with usual felt squeeges and a soft rubber window squeegee.

    Looked fantastic until the sun came out and shon onto the prints 😮 only to find scratches all over them.

    It’s my own fault, fitted tons of the stuff with no probs, but the soft window squeegee has taken it’s toll.

    I’ve tryed a car polish with mild T-cut in it on a sample piece but seems not to work.

    Any ideas most welcome 😕

    Martin Cole replied 18 years, 11 months ago 10 Members · 14 Replies
  • 14 Replies
  • Nick Minall

    Member
    29 November 2006 at 16:50

    Not tried this but if you are in the smelly stuff try putting some liquid laminate on it?

  • George Elsmore

    Member
    29 November 2006 at 16:52

    You could be bolarksed there me ole mucker i dont know if some sort of liquid spray laminate would solve it or over laminating again would do it …..as Martin chokes on his tea when thinking about the cost….just had a thought would something like pledge work as it will fill the scratches with wax….just a thought mate

    Georgio

  • Martin Cole

    Member
    29 November 2006 at 17:06

    Hi Nick and Georgio.

    I thought of putting another laminate over them, I have some frog juice here so will try a sample piece.

    Not in the smelly stuff yet as no one has mentioned it, but I don’t like leaving it. All the rest was put on using just felt and came out fine.

    Pledge wouldn’t work outside Gerogio surely, I’d have to go and polish them every morning 😀

    Worst senario is I’m bolarksed to the tune of a few hundred quid:(

    I’ll just cut back on the kids christmas presents to try and cover the cost.

    Many Thanks

  • Graham Parsons

    Member
    30 November 2006 at 04:29

    What about a paste car wax – or maybe one of the newer scratch-filling polymer car polishes?

  • Fred McLean

    Member
    30 November 2006 at 09:18

    If they are stand alone and not going to be handled etc.
    try spraying with car auto DUCK OIL to give a sheen
    or a coating of VASELINE for a similar effect (!)

  • Lorraine Clinch

    Member
    30 November 2006 at 10:03
    quote Fred Mc:

    If they are stand alone and not going to be handled etc.

    or a coating of VASELINE for a similar effect (!)

    If they are on a roadside they will look disgusting after a short while-everything will stick!

  • Dave Bruce

    Member
    30 November 2006 at 10:09

    I was going to suggest the same as gvp, a good paste car wax.

    Dave

  • John Childs

    Member
    30 November 2006 at 10:28

    Difficult to comment without seeing it Martin, but I’d try the polish.

    I’m assuming we are talking vehicles here and they are therefore going to suffer marking from normal road use so, unless they are really bad, the polish may cover them up for long enough for normal wear and tear to take effect.

    Not ideal, I know, but I can’t think of anything better without the expense of doing them again.

  • Lorraine Clinch

    Member
    30 November 2006 at 10:35

    Also, bear in mind that what looks awful to you, with your proffessional hat on, may go totally un-noticed by anyone else.

  • Martin Cole

    Member
    30 November 2006 at 10:49

    Thanks for your comments and suggestions everyone.

    I polished a couple of them late yesterday, trouble is they look fantastic and you don’t notice any scratches until sun in on them, so it was difficult to see weather scratches were removed.

    John, they are on windows on the front of a building, and not being a cheap job need to look tip top.

    Lorraine, I hear what your saying, I am very critical. Even my fitter didn’t think they were so awfull, I guess it’s one of those jobs I wouldn’t be happy with, leaving as it is.

    I will give a paste polish a go.

    Many Thanks

  • Jennifer Metituk

    Member
    4 December 2006 at 04:23

    We quite often will use our blow torch on scratch lam… sometimes happens on vehicles.. use that and they usually go away.

    Heat and let cool…

    🙂

  • Shane Drew

    Member
    4 December 2006 at 04:31

    I’ve used a heat gun in the past with good success martin, depends how much there is I suppose. Be careful on glass though 😮

  • John Childs

    Member
    4 December 2006 at 05:21

    Martin,

    Sorry to add to your pile of worries, but if you scratched the film when applying it, what’s going to happen when some animal cleans the windows?

  • Martin Cole

    Member
    4 December 2006 at 13:13

    Thanks guys I will give the heat treatment a go.

    Although the prints are stuck on the outside John, it’s a good point as when they get dirty and require cleaning they will probably get scatched.

    In fact I think I will find a dodgy window cleaner to clean them now, and then blame him if the scratches are noticed by the customer. Brilliant! 😀

    Saves getting my heat gun out!

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