Legacy Heritage - best method to remove light scratches from plastic section

[FPPhreak]

Hi all

 

I recently discovered that my beloved Sheaffer Legacy Heritage fountain pen has some light almost concentric scratches around the nib section of the pen (see attached pictures with scratches circled).  These scratches were not there 2 weeks ago.  I can only assume the scratches may have happened if someone tried to unscrew the pen cap instead of pulling it straight apart from the body.

 

Now it is bugging me every time I pull off the cap from the pen and instead of seeing the beautiful inlaid nib, my attention gets diverted straight to the scratches.  The scratches are not deep and appear almost greasy.  In fact the whole nib section looks a bit off colour and not the same as that of the barrel or cap plastic.

 

I believe I will need to polish off the scratches but as I am not an expert on sheaffer pens and the type of plastic they have used for the section, appreciate any advice from pen restorers out there on the best compound/polish to use.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[bsenn]

Micromesh and/or micro gloss. 

 

https://blog.andersonpens.com/zen-and-the-art-of-pen-polishing-micro-mesh/

 

Ron Zorn sells a non-abrasive polishing kit. https://www.mainstreetpens.com/stuff.htm

 

Start safe, you can always go more aggressive later.

[FPPhreak]

Thank you.

 

I'll check it out.

[FPPhreak]

Hi all

 

A quick update.  I used Micromesh 12000 grit but that appeared to introduce micro scratches to the lacquer on the section.  I then noticed that under sunlight the micro scratches are not visible but under a LED white light it shows up like a sore thumb.

 

I’ve left the pen as is for now and will pick up again later if I can find the right solution to get rid of the micro scratches for once and for good.

 

 

[Bill Nick]

7 hours ago, FPPhreak said:

Hi all

 

A quick update.  I used Micromesh 12000 grit but that appeared to introduce micro scratches to the lacquer on the section.  I then noticed that under sunlight the micro scratches are not visible but under a LED white light it shows up like a sore thumb.

 

I’ve left the pen as is for now and will pick up again later if I can find the right solution to get rid of the micro scratches for once and for good.

 

 

You're only half-way there, you need to complete the process.  After micromeshing, the light marks left behind by that need to be polished out using something like Micro-gloss liquid abrasive and then Simichrome polish, or similar.   Then you'll be happy!

[Dione]

Micro-Gloss liquid is available from The Pendragons in the UK

[Ron Z]

The nib unit of a Legacy is plastic, not lacquer.  The shell is plastic with the nib inlaid, and a tab embedded in the plastic at each corner, two at the peak of the diamond.  As such the plastic can be gently buffed because you don't have to worry about the paint  wearing off - but I don't recommend it as a routine thing.  Use of micromesh and then a very very fine abrasive polish works too.  Just make sure that you keep any polishing material away from the slit of the nib.

 

The marks fine scratches where you see them is where the shell comes in contact with the plastic inner cap.  This contact forms a seal, which keeps the nib from drying out.  They do develop over time with use, and there really is no way to prevent it and still use the pen, even if you center the cap over the nib perfectly every time you close the pen.

[cellmatrix]

I’ve used simichrome on plastic pen sections and barrels with great success. It’s a good idea to first tape over imprints on barrels and tape over nibs especially if they have any coating or masking.