Hopper Scratches

The Bunn product hoppers are made of polycarbonate plastic, the same material used on modern cars to cover the headlights.  Over time the sharp edges of the frozen ice crystals (and rough handing during cleaning and transport) will scratch the hoppers and give them a dull appearance.  New hoppers are expensive, but with the proper materials, techniques and some elbow grease you can have shiny clear hoppers without the cost of buying new hoppers.

Margarita Guys sells a hopper polishing kit to do this job.  If you don’t like our kit, go to your local auto parts store and buy a headlight lens polishing kit.  Our kit contains special “wet” sandpaper in two grits and a special polish from 3M. 

If you have serious dullness, start with the 1000 grit sandpaper, keep it wet with water, and gently sand the inside of the hopper.  Switch to the 2000 grit sandpaper and, keeping it wet with water, sand everything again.  When done, the inside of the hopper should be very smooth but dull in appearance.  Then use the special polish and a soft terry cloth to do the final polish in a circular motion.  This polishing may take some time if done by hand, so be prepared.

If you have the tool, you can use a low speed car polisher to speed your final polish.  Use the small sponge applicators available at the auto parts store to apply the polish.  If you have several machines or a lack of “elbow grease”, it may be wise to purchase an inexpensive small buffer or you could even try a right-angle drill attachment and your drill with the small sponge applicators to polish up your hoppers.  With any machine, be sure to use low speed and don’t stay in one spot too long – the polycarbonate is a plastic and it will melt with enough friction.

For more information go to:  Margarita Guys Store