Racer screen damage

[trojdor]

There is not pitting - the deet seems to have reacted to the plastic to make "foggy" spots - the screen is still smooth to the touch - I scrubbed it as hard as I dare with dawn and sponge - nothing worked - I think it permanently damaged the plastic

jd,
No, it's not pitting. And it's not a stain. It's called 'polymer crazing', and it's permanent damage at the molecular level.
(You can look it up on wikipedia, if you want to be bored with technical chemical explanations.)

Wax won't work. If you're very, very lucky...and the crazing damage isn't too deep...a very mild rubbing compound might help.
Some folks have had some success using the original crest toothpaste (as rubbing compound) and cotton balls.

But in all likelihood, the cover will need replaced.

I once worked for a company that used 'bullet resistant' lexan for a particular product. Someone decided to clean the lexan with a 'contact cleaner' type spray.
We were able to break apart the 1 inch thick 'bullet resistant' lexan with our bare hands. It crumbled away.

good luck,
mike

 

[Maine 47]

There is a special cleaner/polish for plastic called Novus. The #2 one is for fine scratches and works the best in most cases. There also is a #3 that is more like a buffing compound for deeper scratches. The #1 is more of a pre cleaner. They sell a kit with all 3 types in small bottles. You can look on line for where you can get it locally. It is the best stuff ever for cleaning and polishing plastic. I have literally cleaned and polished 100's of items with great results. If the screen is pitted bad from the bug spray nothing will totally help. Good Luck

 

[Tom Slick]

The compounds included in most automotive headlight restoration kits would work to a degree.

 

[John in Nawth Carolina]

Ask Makro about changing your screen. You won't be happy until you do. None of the methods on here will work to your satisfaction.

 

[7centsworth]

I bought a new cover for my xterra and the very first time I used it I got big spray on it and it put spots all over it.

 

[goldman55]

Take extra virgin olive oil rub on screen lightly then with cloth buff it work great on radio in car and the dash clear panel part

Bill

 

[eSCANZ]

Paint the screen out and sell it as the NEW Nokta Racer >>> 'beep 'n' dig' - lol

But seriously that sux - thanks for the headsup & I hope you get it resolved quickly - there's nothing like your detector needing medical attention

 

[jdeiana]

Problem solved. Meguiar's PlastX plastic restorer rubbed vigorously into the screen with Armorall tech screen wipes. It took a lot of elbow grease and multiple applications, but the deet spotting is nearly gone. It is starting to look like a new screen. I think a few more applications and it will be totally gone. So keep that combination in your brains in case you are ever careless enough to allow deet spray drift to ruin your screen. So happy and surprised to find that something actually worked. I had estimated the chances of this to be slim to none. The enviro cover will never leave the screen again. Lesson learned.

 

[Tom Slick]

Thanks for the tip! I'm always super careful about not scratching or damaging my detector screens. Nice to know there's a chance of saving it if I ever do.

 

[jdeiana]

Tom it was your advice that worked. The PlastX is mostly for headlights - it is primarily a headlight cleaner. Headlights are pictured on the package. So thank YOU and everyone else for the advice. I would have done it sooner, but I did not think it would work.

 

[jdeiana]

Before and after

 

[Jeff (or)]

Wow, the plastic restorer is doing a great job! Congrats!

 

[Tom Slick]

That's amazing!

 

[marcomo]

Meguiars makes excellent products.

Plast-x really helped that screen but I have my doubts that continued applications will make it much better.

You might try a Meguiars product with slightly more abrasive qualities. Try Meguiars Ultimate Compound or go slightly more abrasive with Scratch-x in an unobtrusive spot and if that helps than follow up with the Plast-x again.