Acrylic Window Case Scratches

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TheNewGuyWhoNeedsHelp

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Dec 1, 2015
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So, I just started building my PC, so far I have my motherboard, CPU Cooler and CPU, RAM, And graphics card, and fans in, my case however is a Fractal Design Define S (Window). I love all my components and my case, however when I turned on the LED's inside my case, it was somewhat foggy through the window, so I looked closer and I noticed that the fogginess was actually a lot of tiny scratches. Does anyone know what I should to fix this?
 
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Do you think it would be worth tryin to sand the scratches out? Because I like the idea of fixing it, but making it worse is something I don't want to do either. I been thinking of trying to find a new window or side panel... what would you do doc?
 
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If you happen to have a propane torch you may be able to "skin" out the imperfections (very quickly swiping back and forth to meld the peaks and valleys of the scratches). But if not careful would probably end up warping if it's thin acrylic.

Got a picture we can see? I'd treat it just like a re-doing a faded headlight honestly unless it's particularly deep scratches. It depends really on what it looks like vs. how you would need to fix it vs. how much a replacement component would cost.
 
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I may be able to borrow a friend's or sibling's blow torch, I'll try and get a picture once I get home.
 
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unless you've got experience with using a propane torch with acrylic i'd not do it - heat will cause the acrylic to shrink - i made some acrylic "windows" for something and had to form them in an oven over a mold - max heat the mfgr recommended was 260F - started out with a pc that was 1" larger in both dimensions - it shrank down to just above the size i needed and got thicker in the process. Being mounted in your case wall, it will either cause the case panel to develop a warp or bow, or the acrylic will crack

like another OP said, wet sand, but wet sand starting with 800 grit wet/dry paper on an orbital sander. Work up to 1500 grit - and even then you'll need to polish with 1st some pumice powder and then some rottenstone powder, using both on a dampened pc of wet T-shirt or sweatshirt - both are available at most hardware stores. The pumice powder will take you to about 2000 grit, and the rottenstone to about 2500 grit.

a really good idea would be for you to buy a small pc of acrylic at the hardware store to first try the wet sanding and work thru all the grits

fwiw
 
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I would go with the wet sand solution.

Plexiglas is inexpensive, and you could opt to get a piece and replace it. I have seen it for sale at Home Depot. An alternate would be to take the case to a window shop and see what they may be able to do.

Propane torch has disaster potential written all over it IMHO with no experience.
 
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I would not go for the heat option just yet... (possible option once we get a picture first?) That particular method is good for deep localized scratching (gouging) that would otherwise take a lot of material removal to correct.
 
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Alright, I'll try and get a picture, I was busy studying for exams and what not yesterday, but I'll think about just getting a new piece of acrylic

I'm updating this, and this picture isn't my side panel but the scratches in the acrylic window are pretty much the same tiny scratches that makes my case look foggy when its turned on. Also I would show you guys my side panel with my LED's behind it so you can see it better, but I'm having difficulty getting the pictures that I took off my phone that are now on my computer to here so sorry for the picture I chose.
ca74b04e_Glasscompressed.png

 
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scratch the wet sanding - you've haven't got anything polishing with some rottenstone powder won't take care of

if you have one of those polishers folks use for their cars, cover the pad with a pc of wet sweatshirt or wet cotton towel, put some rottenstone on it and hit the acrylic - occasionally add some water to the cloth - it'll look nicer than new

if you don't have a polisher, you can do it by hand, it'll just take longer
 
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Alright, so what I would want to do is just polish it with rottenstone? Is there anything else I should know to try and fix the case, like tools and what not.
 
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Should be just the polish and a rag, take your time if you want a good finish. Alternatively you might be able to try a rubbing compound for cars if you happen to have some around. Seems like it would do the same job?

Just my 2 cents.
 
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Yeah no need for blowtorch. Now we have not discussed the "100% safe won't blow yourself up" option of vapor polishing.

(To be clear i'm saying this to be funny in regards to the blow torch item I bought up earlier lol)

 
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This is a new case? There would not happen to be a protective film (thin plastic sheet) still on it would there???
if not... I would say to try and get some plastic polish and see what it does (like other have said). If you have the tools (jig saw or similar) or can get it cut where you buy it, you probably can get a good fit on a new piece of lexan or similar plastic (about $8~$15 I would think)

If you can find it at a local hardware/auto store try this stuff. Cheap and works very well on acrylic and polycarbonate type plastics (Mothers Plastic Polish)
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-06208-Plastic-Polish-oz/dp/B00068KU1K/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1450456118&sr=1-4&keywords=plastic+polish

 
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