Handheld Screen Lens & Shell Polishing

Document ID: TOS-PRES-REF-003 Revision: 1.1 Author: ThisOldScot

Section_1: Overview#

The “Preservation” pillar of the Borders Lab extends to the physical housing. For handhelds like the Game Boy, Game Gear, and PSP, the original plastic screen lenses are often heavily scratched, obscuring the vintage display.

While many technicians simply “swap for glass,” the Borders Lab provides this protocol for those wishing to preserve the Original Plastic Lens for 100% factory authenticity.

Section_2: Materials Required#

• Novus Plastic Polish System (#1, #2, and #3).
• Microfiber Cloths (Technical Grade).
• Polymide (Kapton) Tape (For masking).
• Ceramic Coating (Automotive grade) for the final seal.

Section_3: The Polishing Protocol#

STAGE_3: 01 // Masking#

If polishing the lens while still in the shell, mask the surrounding plastic with Kapton Tape. Novus #3 is an abrasive and will “matte” the texture of a Game Boy shell if it touches it.

STAGE_3: 02 // The Abrasive Stage (Novus #3)#

• Use for deep gouges you can feel with a fingernail.
• Apply a small amount and rub in a circular motion with firm pressure.
• Stop once the deep scratches are leveled into a consistent “haze.”

STAGE_3: 03 // The Refining Stage (Novus #2)#

• This removes the “haze” left by stage #3.
• Use a fresh cloth. Apply lighter pressure.
• The lens should begin to look transparent again.

STAGE_3: 04 // The Clarity Stage (Novus #1)#

• This is the final clean-and-shine. It also provides an anti-static barrier to prevent dust from sticking to the lens.

STAGE_3: 05 // The Ceramic Seal#

• Apply a single drop of ceramic coating.
• Buff off after 30 seconds.
• The Logic: The original plastic is soft. The ceramic coating provides a 9H hardness layer that makes the 30-year-old plastic as scratch-resistant as modern glass.

Section_4: Technical Warning#