I have polished quite a few lenses...I use eastwood's plastic polishing compound with loose section buffing wheel for a start, then follow with the plastic compound and a canton flannel wheel...then a final wipe down with Mequire's plastic polish with a diaper.....you wouldn't belive the difference you can make on a lense...you can take a scratched, yellowed lense and make it look new.
A few tips.....work one side in one direction and the other side at 90 degrees to that direction...that way as you work if there are areas where you haven't buffed fully you will be able to identify quickly which side they are on......move the piece constantly...don't ever let the piece stop moving or you will melt it.....that goes double for sharp edges...don't go across a sharp edge...go with it...sharp edges will melt very easily....
light pressure...don't push hard.....on very bad pieces I have gone as far as starting with emery, then stainless, then plastic and white rouge.
Please practice on a scrap piece first...and keep a two handed grip on the piece at all times...they will go flying.
I have a washing machine motor set up with an arbor....perfect speed for buffing plastic....but I used to use my regular buffing motor.
A few tips.....work one side in one direction and the other side at 90 degrees to that direction...that way as you work if there are areas where you haven't buffed fully you will be able to identify quickly which side they are on......move the piece constantly...don't ever let the piece stop moving or you will melt it.....that goes double for sharp edges...don't go across a sharp edge...go with it...sharp edges will melt very easily....
light pressure...don't push hard.....on very bad pieces I have gone as far as starting with emery, then stainless, then plastic and white rouge.
Please practice on a scrap piece first...and keep a two handed grip on the piece at all times...they will go flying.
I have a washing machine motor set up with an arbor....perfect speed for buffing plastic....but I used to use my regular buffing motor.