If you've ever scratched your plastic countertop, car bumper or any other surface, don't worry: in many cases you can get rid of the scratch with some simple polishing product. If the scratches are deeper you can help yourself with fine grit sandpaper. For scratches on car plastics, be sure to use polishing preparations approved for this purpose. If the scratch is on the painted plastic, you can easily hide the problem by using a touch-up pen.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Eliminate a Light Scratch
Step 1. Clean the plastic
Take a clean damp cloth and dip it in warm soapy water. Gently rub in a circular motion all around the scratch; this will remove dirt and grease, making it easier to get rid of the scratch. Immediately after that, dry the area with a clean dry cloth.
Step 2. Evaluate the depth of the scratch by passing over it with your fingernail
Superficial scratches can often be easily removed by polishing. Pass your fingernail over the scratch; if it "trips" in the groove then the scratch is too deep to be removed by polishing. For deep scratches other methods are needed.
Step 3. Put some toothpaste on a damp cloth
A mild abrasive, such as toothpaste, can help remove the scratch. Use a paste and not a gel one. Don't put too much on the cloth - use the amount needed to completely cover the scratch. Instead of toothpaste you could also try:
- Furniture wax.
- Commercial pastes for plastics.
- Baking soda (mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with the water needed to form a homogeneous paste).
Step 4. Run the cloth over the scratch in a circular motion
Go over the entire scratch, from one end to the other. This rubbing action will remove the scratch from the plastic. Continue polishing until the scratch is gone.
Step 5. Clean and dry the surface
When you are finished, clean the affected area with a clean damp cloth to remove the paste and dirt residues. So, always with a clean cloth, wipe and dry everything.
Method 2 of 3: Remove a Deep Scratch
Step 1. Get sandpaper with different types of grit
If your nail "trips" over the scratch, it means that the groove is deep enough and you should try to smooth it with sandpaper. To do this job well, you should get sandpaper with different grain values, starting from 800 up to 1500 or even 2000.
- Higher numbers indicate thinner abrasive papers.
- You can find sandpaper at any hardware store or shop that sells DIY items. You can often find it in assorted packs, so you don't have to buy a pack for each grit number.
Step 2. Start wetting the 800 grit paper
Take a piece and fold it in three. This will allow you to have a smaller surface area and make it easier for you to hold it. Run a little water on the sandpaper.
It is very important to wet the sandpaper - this will prevent it from becoming too abrasive and will help eliminate dust and specks as you work
Step 3. Rub the sandpaper over the scratch in a circular motion
The circular motion combined with the abrasiveness of the paper can eliminate many scratches. However, always work gently: using too much force could cause new scratches.
Continue polishing until the scratch disappears
Step 4. Clean the surface
With a clean, damp cloth, clean the area where you worked. Take another clean cloth and wipe it everywhere until everything is clean and dry.
Step 5. If necessary, use a thinner sandpaper
Examine the scratched area - it should look different and the scratch may be gone. However, if it is still visible, you can try to work on it again with a finer grit sandpaper, for example 1200 grit, and follow the same procedure used previously.
- Remember to wet the sandpaper every time and work gently.
- If 1200 grit paper doesn't work, try an even thinner paper type (for example 1500) and so on.
Step 6. Polish the surface
Once the scratch is completely eliminated, polishing the surface will make it look like new. Get an acrylic or specific polishing product for plastic and put some on a clean cloth. Clean the entire plastic surface to even out everything, then take another cloth and remove the excess.
You can find plastic polishing products in many department stores, auto parts stores, or home improvement stores
Method 3 of 3: Cover Scratches on Car Plastic
Step 1. Clean the scratched area
Use a cloth dampened in a mixture of warm water and neutral detergent. Rub the cloth over the scratch and the surrounding area to remove all traces of dirt.
Step 2. Get a polishing disc and polishing product
You can find these items in hardware stores or some auto parts stores. The disc can be applied to any normal electric drill. The polishing compound will help erase the scratch.
Step 3. Erase the scratch using a drill and polishing disc
Attach the polishing disc to an electric drill. Apply a small amount of polishing product to the disc (follow the instructions on the product). Turn on the drill and gently pass the disc over the entire scratched area.
Step 4. Use a retouching pen if needed
If the scratch is deep, a touch-up marker will further hide the problem. Search for the correct paint code of your car (consult the car manual or look for a label in the car). Find the matching color marker in auto parts.
- Most of the time you will just have to pass the marker over the scratch and the paint will be applied.
- Let the surface dry before continuing.
Step 5. Apply a clear spray coating to the surface
The clear protector will help to even out the polished part with the rest of the plastic. In this way you will no longer distinguish the place where the scratch was previously.
- You can find the clear coat at an auto parts store.
- Follow the instructions you will find on the product. If the scratch is small, you will probably only be able to apply the clear coat to the area in question.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
Step 6. Polish the surface with car wax
When you're done and everything is dry, apply regular car wax. Use a clean cloth or a polishing disc and polish the entire surface with wax. This last step will help make your car look like new.
