How to Remove Scratches on Plastic

If you find scratches on your table top, car or other plastic surface, don’t worry. In many cases, you can remove scratches with some chemical polishing. Use fine sandpaper to erase deeper scratches. When dealing with scratches on the plastic surface of your car, you need to make sure the polishing materials are suitable for the car. If scratches appear on the painted plastic surface, you can easily hide them using a paint pen.

Table of Contents

Light scratches polishing

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Clean the plastic surface. Dip a clean rag in warm soapy water and gently wipe around the scratch with a circular motion. This step will clean dirt and grease on the plastic surface, making it easier to remove scratches. Wipe with a clean and dry rag when finished. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Run your fingernail over the scratch to check the depth. Shallow scratches can usually disappear with polishing. Use your fingernail to cross the scratch, if the nail is “entangled” in the groove, it means the scratch is too deep and cannot be removed by polishing. You need to use other methods to treat deep scratches. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Squeeze a bit of toothpaste onto a damp rag. Mild abrasive materials such as toothpaste can clean scratches. Use toothpaste that is paste, not gel. You don’t need to use too much toothpaste, just enough to cover the entire scratch. In addition to toothpaste, you can try the following materials: ^{[3] X Research Source}

Furniture polishing chemicals.
Plastic polishing chemicals.
Baking soda. Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to make a smooth paste.

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Rub the rag over the scratch using a circular motion. Rub all over the scratch, from one end to the other. The polishing step can remove scratches on the plastic. Continue scrubbing until the scratch disappears. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Rinse and dry the polished surface. When you’re done polishing, wipe off the paste with a new damp rag, then dry it all off with a clean rag. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Remove deep scratches

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Buy several sheets of sandpaper with different fineness. If the scratch is deep enough to “tangle” your nail, you can try sanding to remove the scratch. However, to do this, you will need to prepare a variety of sandpaper of varying fineness, from 800 grit to 1500 or 2000 grit.

The larger the number, the finer the roughness.
Sandpaper is available at any hardware store. You can buy a set of sandpaper with enough fineness instead of buying each sheet of sandpaper with different fineness.

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Start by wetting a sheet of 800 grit sandpaper. Take a sheet of sandpaper folded in three. This leaves you with a smaller and easier-to-grip surface to work with. Sprinkle some water on the sandpaper. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Wetting the sandpaper is very important – this will prevent the sandpaper from becoming excessively abrasive and also help clear dust and particles from the sandpaper as you work.

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Rub sandpaper over the scratch with a circular motion. The scrubbing action combined with the friction of the sandpaper can help remove many scratches. However, you need to manipulate lightly. New scratches can form if you rub too hard. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Continue scrubbing until the scratch disappears.

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Clean the spot just polished. Use a new damp rag to clean the scrubbed area, then wipe the entire surface with a new rag until dry. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Use finer sandpaper if necessary. Check the scratched area. The surface of the scratched area will look different than before, and the scratch may have disappeared. If you still see scratches, you can try sanding again with finer sandpaper. Try using 1200 grit sandpaper, for example, and follow the steps above.

Remember to wet the sandpaper after each scrub and work gently. ^{[9] X Research Source}
If 1200 grit sandpaper doesn’t work, switch to even finer sandpaper (like 1500) or something similar.

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Polish the area just scrubbed. When the scratch has completely disappeared, the polishing step will help the whole surface look like new. You can buy a plastic or acrylic polish and put some on a clean rag. Wipe all the plastic surface to get an even shine, then wipe off any chemicals with a rag. ^{[10] X Research Source}

You can find plastic polishing chemicals at large stores, auto parts stores, or in the area that sells household cleaners.

Cover the scratches on the plastic surface of the car

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Clean the scratched area. Use a rag dipped in warm water mixed with mild soap. Rub the rag over the scratch and surrounding area to remove dirt and grime. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Buy polishing pads and polishing chemicals. These are available at hardware stores and some auto parts stores. The polishing pad can be attached to any conventional electric drill. Chemical polishing will help remove scratches. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Remove scratches using a drill and polishing pad. Attach the polishing sponge to the electric drill. Apply a small amount of polishing agent to the sponge (follow the instructions on the package). Turn on the drill and gently scrub the scratched area. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Use paintbrushes if necessary. Paint pens will help hide deep scratches. Look for a color that matches your car’s paint color (check your car’s owner’s manual or car label). You can buy paint pens at auto parts stores. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Normally, you just need to use a paint pen to draw on the scratch, and the paint will stick to the surface of the car.
Wait for the surface to dry before moving on to the next step.

Things you need

Clean rags
Soap and water
Toothpaste, furniture polish or plastic polish
Sandpaper with different smoothness
Power drill
Polishing sponge
Car paint pen
Car polish
Car polishing wax

Steps

Light scratches polishing

Remove deep scratches

Cover the scratches on the plastic surface of the car

Things you need

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