Removing unsightly marks & scratches from radio LCD window

[kotaguchi]

Here is a tip I want to pass on to those that have portable or mobile LCD displays.

Got a mark or scratch on your portable radio's LCD display?

Well, on most radios,the outer LCD display is not the display but the plastic window built in the portable radio's housing.

Here is what you need:

One can of Brasso Multi Purpose Metal Polish (about $3.00 at most hardware stores)

Q-tips or commercial use cotton stick swabs (commercial or hospital grade swabs are better that it lasts a bit longer)

Clean cloth(an old t-shirt will do)


Get the cotton swab and put a tiny amount of Brasso solution and rub in small vigorous circle until the Brasso solution starts to dry and you start to hear the squeaking from rubbing the plastic with the cotton swabs.

Keep rubbing till all almost all the Brasso that was on the swab is gone from the screen and repeat process over and over till the screen's marks or scratches are gone or near gone.

Once you are done, use the clean cloth to wipe screen and see the work. Repeat the swabbing process as desired or necessary.

This technique is no guarantee that it will work 100% of the time but in most cases,a lot of the scratches or marks on the plastic housing's window will be less noticeable or will be gone.

Hint: You may want to use a masking tape around the window of the housing so you don't put any polish on the radios housing.

Do not attempt this on the radio housing without the internal radio installed. If you do, you may break or force the plastic window out of the housing.


This is great for those that have radios with minor marks or scratches on the LCD window. Not for those windows that have deep gauges into the window.


Disclaimer:I give this info freely and I will not take responsibility to any damages occurred. Use commonsense and good judgment.

Regards,

Ko

 

[45SigSauer]

Great tip! I tried this on my Pro-97 and it worked great.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[kotaguchi]

No problem.Only thing I learned new is that for some high end Motorola radios and maybe other radios,make sure the plastic window does not have a coating on the plastic window or the Brasso will remove the coating.

 

[SCPD]

Toothpaste, not gel, works just fine as well......

 

[C138NC]

Toothpaste, not gel, works just fine as well......

I might try that and whenever someone picks up my radio and uses it to say something.. there gunna say "Did you brush your radio this morning?" My answer.. yes! My radio is just that special!

Minty Motorola

 

[62Truck]

I'm going to try the toothpaste thing now..let you know how it works..

 

[62Truck]

Ok...now that my 1250 smells minty..

 

[C138NC]

Ok...now that my 1250 smells minty..

You gatta love the fresh smell of mint in the morning and evening, especially if you just got done fighting a fire and waking up, your walkie will go through it all with you

 

[commstar]

Future brand floor wax works great also but it must be flowed on and dried in an absolutely dust-free environment. Essentially like clearcoat on a car. Did a Pro-2011 from a garage sale not along ago, eye droppered Future on and let it dry under a plastic tub. I thought it gave crystal clear results.And as long as you don't actually walk on the display it seems to be pretty durable.

Kind of a pain with masking and all but the results if done properly are remarkable.Ialways try the Toothpaste Brasso first. I have tried the headlight bezel defogging process (wet sand+polish+clearcoat) it was very time consuming and required compete disassembly of the radio but also gave nice results.

Also, I find that 409 in one of those brush bottle combination deals works very well for cleaning up dirty/'barn find' radios. Again, 409 not Windex or anything with Alcohol is my personal preference.409 does not strip screen printing off in most cases, dries quickly, does not fog plastic, and leaves the radio nice and clean.


Best,
Mike