Uploaded December 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
I show how to clean scratched clear plastic indicator display lenses on bike shifters. On these shifters, the windows were so scratched you couldn't even read the numbers to tell what gear you were in. There was also some yellowing discoloration. Sun and UV light can deteriorate the plastic making it foggy/cloudy. It's usually the thin surface layer of the plastic lens. I started off wet sanding them with a series of 1000, 2000, and 3000 grit sandpaper. Then I followed that up with Rubbing Compound. You could always do another step of using polishing compound, but they already looked pretty good.
* I have gotten multiple comments saying to remove the top cover and remove the lens so I can easily polish it, and even polish the back. Umm, no. The lens is bonded to the inside of the cover. And also the back of the lens has the black background and red arrow on it. Also, the back of the lens is not likely to be scratched in the first place.
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I show how to clean scratched clear plastic indicator display lenses on bike shifters. On these shifters, the windows were so scratched you couldn't even read the numbers to tell what gear you were in. There was also some yellowing discoloration. Sun and UV light can deteriorate the plastic making it foggy/cloudy. It's usually the thin surface layer of the plastic lens. I started off wet sanding them with a series of 1000, 2000, and 3000 grit sandpaper. Then I followed that up with Rubbing Compound. You could always do another step of using polishing compound, but they already looked pretty good.
* I have gotten multiple comments saying to remove the top cover and remove the lens so I can easily polish it, and even polish the back. Umm, no. The lens is bonded to the inside of the cover. And also the back of the lens has the black background and red arrow on it. Also, the back of the lens is not likely to be scratched in the first place.
▶ SUBSCRIBE & HIT THE 🔔 bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy
👍 And please give my video a thumbs up 👍
▶FACEBOOK.com/RJTheBikeGuy
facebook.com/RJTheBikeGuy
▶TOOLS
rjthebikeguy.com/tools
▶SHIRTS
bit.ly/RJBikeGuyShirts
▶WEBPAGE
RJTheBikeGuy.com
