Cerium Oxide polish for sign restoration?
Last Post 27 May 2021 10:39 PM by markbigears. 13 Replies.
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22 May 2021 06:08 PM  

Hi All

Has anyone had any experience using these Silicon Carbide discs and then Cerium Oxide polish for sign restoration?
 
 
This stuff is designed for removing scratches and acid damage on glass – very similar to Vitreous enamel.
 
I’ve got a few acid damaged enamels which would be nice to bring back up to a good gloss, if possible.
 
Cheers
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22 May 2021 11:52 PM  
I can't say that I've dabbled in anything that high tech.
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23 May 2021 07:31 AM  

I’m sure a few years back there was a guy on here cutting down damaged signs. re-bordering them and then polishing with Cerium Oxide (he called it something else like, ‘powder pink’…).

I’ve used the Cerium Oxide with a Random Orbital Polisher, and it does gloss up the sign. But it does not remove water/acid damage. The real question is regards the Silicon Carbide discs as if you watch the videos, they are quite aggressive and remove material, but are the only way of getting into removing that water/acid damage that causes the dull matt finish.
 
Unlike glass which is the same all the way through, enamel signs are ‘layered’ with differing colours, never being sure how thick each colour layer is. My fear with the Silicon Carbide discs is that you could accidently go too far and remove a coloured layer.
 
What they can do on damaged glass., followed by the polish, is simply amazing, just not sure about using on enamels…
 
 
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23 May 2021 11:25 AM  
Your over thinking it, just clear coat the sucker
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23 May 2021 11:28 AM  
Years ago I had a sign that basically didn't have any chipping to the enamel, but had this dullness to the colours. I took a chance and clear coated and it came up so good you couldn't even pick it.
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23 May 2021 11:30 AM  

 

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23 May 2021 04:10 PM  
Posted By fleece77 on 23 May 2021 11:28 AM
Years ago I had a sign that basically didn't have any chipping to the enamel, but had this dullness to the colours. I took a chance and clear coated and it came up so good you couldn't even pick it.

 

Never tried clear coat before as an option and at least the clear coat is reversable should you ever wish to remove it later with acetone. Does it really enhance those enamel areas that have become very dull and matt?

The most annoying defects are those that have damaged the enamel and changed its colour e.g. old black tar causing white enamel to turn an off white. As far as I know this type of thing is permanent.

 

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23 May 2021 09:41 PM  
Well you know when you wet your finger and rub it on dull enamel, it looks good for three seconds until it dries. A clear coat makes it look like that and stay like that.
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23 May 2021 10:18 PM  
Posted By fleece77 on 23 May 2021 09:41 PM
Well you know when you wet your finger and rub it on dull enamel, it looks good for three seconds until it dries. A clear coat makes it look like that and stay like that.
Oooo nice.
 
Do you get them pro sprayed with 2K enamel or diy rattle can? If the latter, what brand of clear coat product do you use? 
 
Cheers mate
 

 

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26 May 2021 01:11 PM  
Car chrome polish "Autosol" is also great on enamel signs, especially the hard to shift stuff and deep rust staining
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26 May 2021 08:07 PM  

I'm speaking to a local body shop about getting a few signs (the ones that have been chemically dulled) clear coat sealed with (2K clear coat). Hopefuly a little quick job that they can fit in between a couple of cars.

I'm going to test this idea with one sign first and then decide on the others.

 

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26 May 2021 08:12 PM  
Posted By markbigears on 26 May 2021 01:11 PM
Car chrome polish "Autosol" is also great on enamel signs, especially the hard to shift stuff and deep rust staining


For bad rust staining (hydrochloric acid) works within seconds and removes the rust stains completely.

(Just make sure you neutralise the acid quicky after using with losts of water)

 

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26 May 2021 09:38 PM  
You don't have to tell me, used it at work and needed a skin graft.
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27 May 2021 10:39 PM  
I think I'll keep to my Autosol phoneguy!
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