I just picked up a Lionel locomotive second hand but found the cab windows on just one side of the locomotive are very cloudy. I have tried Windex, Isopropyl, and Vinegar. Anyone have a proven method?
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I suspect there is no proven method. The plastic has actually deteriorated.
In my other hobbies, it is not uncommon to restore old plastics by covering them in a bath of high concentrate hydrogen peroxide (think beauty supply store) under the sun for a few hours.
That may help here, but you would have to remove the windows form the shell to do so.
This isn't something I have done on train windows myself, so this is definitely an at your own risk suggestion.
gunrunnerjohn posted:I suspect there is no proven method. The plastic has actually deteriorated.
The one proven method is to simply replace them, 
mwb posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:I suspect there is no proven method. The plastic has actually deteriorated.
The one proven method is to simply replace them,
Agreed, a lot of times they pop out easily, however I would make sure they are obtainable prior to doing this.
Joe Gozzo
Prototypical.
Just a random thought, what about that stuff auto parts stores sells to defog your plastic headlight lens covers?
Chuck Sartor posted:Just a random thought, what about that stuff auto parts stores sells to defog your plastic headlight lens covers?
That is an abrasive...
bmoran4 posted:Chuck Sartor posted:Just a random thought, what about that stuff auto parts stores sells to defog your plastic headlight lens covers?
That is an abrasive...
And designed for use on Lexan, not styrene or ABS.
Rusty
OK point taken, not good for model trains.
mwb posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:I suspect there is no proven method. The plastic has actually deteriorated.
The one proven method is to simply replace them,
Anybody know where one can buy just windows for a Lionel O-gauge SD-70ACe cab? They are not listed on the Lionel parts breakdown.
Agree that replacement would be best if you can find the part. If not you might look into the Novus plastic polishing supplies. Be a lot of work but perhaps nothing to lose trying it.
You might try some Future floor wax. You can spray it on, brush it on, or dip the part in it. If you don't like the way it looks it is easily removed with a little ammonia.
Can you cut new windows from clear acetate plastic that K&S sells?
You can use a Q-tip and polish them with Klasse All In One. It's a non-abrasive cleaner / polish for vehicles. I've use it on my instrument cluster clear plastic with no issues.
Best bet is look for a spare Sd70ACe body for sale. I've seen a few lately.
I’ve had good results with Meguiars plastix polish on a couple of my old postwar engine windows. Applied with a q tip, and buffed with a separate q tip.
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I saw a video where they used wd-40 to clean foggy exterior plastic over headlights
RadCam posted:You might try some Future floor wax. You can spray it on, brush it on, or dip the part in it. If you don't like the way it looks it is easily removed with a little ammonia.
RadCam is exactly correct. We have used this technique for decades in the model car and aircraft hobbies on canopies and windshields. You literally just dip the glass into the clear floor wax and let it dry under a small Tupperware to keep dust from settling on it. Boom crystal clear "glass" again. You can also airbrush it directly onto a model to create a glossy surface for decals, or as a nice barrier coat for advanced weathering.
The floor wax method for restoring the glass is shown at the 5:45 mark.
Mitch
