Plastic is durable, lightweight, and usually less expensive than other materials.
Unfortunately, plastic is alsosusceptible to scratchingdue to normal wear and tear that leaves the finish looking dull.
Some plastic items develop a whitish “bloom” when exposed to sunlight and extreme temperature changes.
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Others, like black plastic and clear plastic, show even the slightest abrasions.
Once the scratches accumulate or become deeper, the task becomes more difficult or impossible.
Regular cleaning will also help prevent the cloudy white film on plastic from becoming permanent.
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Before You Begin
Before you tackle the scratches, you should assess the severity of the scratches.
It’s a good idea to test any cleaning process on a hidden area of the plastic item.
Work carefully and if you see additional damage, stop immediately.
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Use your fingernail or the edge of a credit card to help determine the depth of the scratches.
Toothpaste contains silica to help remove stains on our teeth.
Use a non-gel formula and squeeze out enough to cover the scratched area.
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Using a dry cotton cloth, work in small circles to buff away the scratches.
Rinse the area frequently with warm water and check the scratches.
You may need to repeat the steps several times before the scratch is gone.
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Combine two parts baking soda to one part water to create a thick paste.
Dip a cotton cloth in the paste and apply it to the scratched area.
Work in a circular motion to buff away the scratch.
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Rinse the area often to check your progress.
Repeat the steps until the scratch has disappeared and the plastic appears even.
Even micro-grit sandpaper must be used wet so it does not create more problems.
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Wetting the paper helps the sanded particles from building up in the paper and creating new scratches.
Begin with the lowest grit micro-grit sandpaper (360 grit).
Soak the paper in a bowl of water for several minutes until the paper is saturated.
Using steady, gentle pressure, rub the scratched area in a circular motion.
After a few circles, rinse the plastic and assess your progress.
If the scratch is still visible, move to a higher grit paper.
Be sure sandpaper is very wet and repeat the circular motion.
Rinse the plastic one last time and dry with a microfiber cloth.
This is the safest way to tackle scratches on plastic and achieve a smooth surface.
Sun-faded plasticsometimes found on the dashboard of a carcan be restored by applying even heat with a heat gun.
Heat will bring the oils stored inside to the surface and revive the plastic’s shine.
you could also use a plastic restorer compound to bring life back to the surface.
