Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Buffing minor scratches
• Method 2 of 3: Removing deep scratches
• Method 3 of 3: Buffing scratches on an automotive surface
• What do you need

If you notice a scratch on a plastic table, car, or other surface, that's okay. Most scratches can be smoothed out with regular polishing paste. Use fine sandpaper to remove deep scratches. To smooth out a scratch on the surface of a car, be sure to use a specially designed polishing tool. Use a scratch pen to hide a scratch on painted plastic.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Buffing minor scratches

1. 1 Wipe down the plastic. Dip a clean, damp cloth in warm, soapy water. Using a circular motion, gently rub the area around the scratch to make it easier to remove by removing any dirt and grease. When finished, wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth.
2. 2 Run your fingernail over the scratch to determine its depth. Shallow scratches can be easily buffed off. Run your fingernail over the entire surface of the scratch. If the nail enters the groove, the scratch is too deep to polish. Use other methods to repair deep scratches.
3. 3 Apply toothpaste to a damp cloth. A light abrasive like toothpaste will help remove the scratch. Use a regular paste, not a gel paste. Do not apply too much paste, just enough so that it can be spread over the entire surface. Instead of toothpaste, you can use:
   • furniture varnish;
   • branded polish for plastic;
   • baking soda - Mix a couple of tablespoons of baking soda with water until a smooth paste forms.
4. 4 Wipe the scratch in a circular motion. Start at one end of the scratch and work your way to the other to smooth out the scratch on the plastic. Sand the surface until the scratch disappears.
5. 5 Wipe the sanded area. Wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth to remove paste and other marks. Then take a clean cloth and wipe everything dry.

Method 2 of 3: Removing deep scratches

1. 1 Purchase multiple grit sandpaper. If the scratch is deep enough, try sanding it. To do this, you will need several sheets of sandpaper of different grain sizes: from 800 to 1500 (from M20 to M10 according to GOST) or even 2000 (M7).
   • In Western markings, the higher the grit value, the smaller the grain size. In the domestic one, the numbering is in descending order.
   • Sandpaper can be purchased at any hardware store. They are often sold in pre-packaged kits so you don't have to buy individual sheets of varying grain sizes.
2. 2 First, dampen an 800-grit pelt. Take a piece of sandpaper and fold it in three to make it easier to hold. This will also reduce the work surface. Apply some water to the sandpaper.
   • Be sure to wet the sandpaper so it doesn't get too abrasive and makes it easier for you to pick up dust and debris as you work.
3. 3 Sand the scratch in a circular motion. Using a circular motion with the abrasive sandpaper will remove most scratches. But this must be done carefully. Overly harsh movements can lead to new scratches.
   • Sand the surface of the plastic until the scratch disappears.
4. 4 Wipe the sanded area. Wipe the work surface with a clean, damp cloth. Take a new, clean rag and wipe the entire area dry.
5. 5 Use a fine-grain sandpaper if necessary. Examine the scratched area. Now, after grinding, it should look different, and from a scratch there might not be a trace at all. If you can still see the scratch, try sanding it over with fine-grained sandpaper. Take a 1200 grit sheet and repeat the sanding procedure you already know.
   • Remember to wet the sandpaper every time and work carefully.
   • If 1200 grit is not enough, use an even finer grit sandpaper (eg 1500).
6. 6 Polish the surface. Polishing the leveled surface will restore its former shine. Apply a proprietary plastic or acrylic polishing compound to a clean rag. Buff the entire surface of the plastic to make it uniform. Wipe off the remaining polish with another clean cloth.
   • Polishing paste can be found in any major supermarket, specifically in the department of automotive products or household cleaning products.

Method 3 of 3: Buffing scratches on an automotive surface

1. 1 Wipe the scratch surface. Use a cloth dampened with warm water and a mild detergent solution. Wipe down the scratch and its surroundings to remove dust and dirt.
2. 2 Take a polishing sponge and polishing paste. These can be purchased at a hardware store and at some auto parts stores. The polishing sponge can be used as an attachment for an electric drill. The polishing paste will help smooth out the scratch.
3. 3 Polish off the scratch with a drill and polishing sponge. Place the polishing sponge on the drill. Apply some polishing paste to the sponge following the instructions on the package. Turn on the drill and gently run the sponge over the entire surface of the scratch.
4. 4 Use a marker to remove scratches if necessary. If the scratch is deep enough, try filling it in with a marker. Find out the exact coding of the paint on the car (from the user manual or the label on the car) and buy a marker of the appropriate color from an auto parts store (or order online).
   • Drag the marker along the scratch line to apply paint.
   • Let this area dry before proceeding.
5. 5 Apply a clear coat of varnish. A transparent layer will help align the polished area with the rest of the car. After him, no one would guess that there was a scratch on this place.
   • Clear varnish can be purchased at an auto parts store.
   • Follow the manufacturer's instructions. If the scratch is small enough, you may be able to hide it with just a transparent layer.
   • Work in a well-ventilated area.
6. 6 Polish the surface with automotive wax. Once the scratch is done and the surface of the plastic is dry, apply regular car wax to it. Wax the entire surface using a clean cloth or polishing sponge. After this step, your car will look like new.

What do you need

• Clean rags
• Soap and water
• Toothpaste, furniture varnish or plastic polishing paste
• Several types of fine-grained sandpaper
• Electric drill
• Polishing sponge
• Scratch Marker
• Clear nail polish
• Car wax