Many years ago when I was polishing the ends of a plastic rod to verify Faraday's Effect, the last polish I used was tooth paste. Might that work here?
Also, the old suggestion for scratched watches was to coat them with clear nail polish.
If all else fails except getting a new phone, I'd probably give one or both of these a try.
Richard
Richard L. Bowman, PhD | Department of Physics | Professor of Physics
BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE, Bridgewater, VA 22812, USA
phone: 540-828-5441 | online: www.bridgewater.edu/~rbowman
________________________________________
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of John Denker [jsd@av8n.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 3:27 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: [Phys-l] plastic lens scratch repair?
Hi --
I have a cell phone with a built-in camera. I rarely use the camera,
but when I want to use it I really want to use it, and I want it to
work. Alas the thing has lived in a pocket so long that the lens is
scratched. The scratches are numerous but not deep.
I know from putting a thin film of liquid on it that the scratches
are the dominant problem. I used ethanol because it goes on thin
and flat ... but it is not a permanent fix.
The relevant surface of the lens is supposed to be planar; the
curved surface of the lens is safe inside the device.
Options include
-- buffing out the scratches, in which case the question is what
tools and techniques to use, and what to use for buffing compound.
Mother's Plastic Polish?
-- filling the scratches, in which case the question is what to
use for a filler. Lemon Pledge?
-- buying a new phone.
-- perhaps some less-obvious options????
Any suggestions? I'm willing to experiment a little with anything
that won't make the situation worse.
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