How to Remove Scratches from Plastic

Co-authored by Jon Gholian

Last Updated: December 15, 2021

If you’ve wound up with a scratch in a plastic countertop, your car, or some other surface, have no fear. In many cases, you can buff the scratch out with some simple polishing compound. Step it up and use some fine grade sandpaper to remove deeper scratches. For scratches in car plastic, make sure to use buffing supplies that are approved for automobile use. If the scratch is in painted plastic, you can easily hide the problem, by using a touch-up pen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Buffing out a Light Scratch

1
Clean the plastic. Take a clean, damp cloth and dip it into some warm, soapy water.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.} Gently rub it in a circular motion all around the scratch. This will remove any dirt and grease, making it easier to get rid of the scratch. Dry the area with a clean, dry cloth when you’re done.^{[2]
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Research source} You can use a microfiber towel.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.}
2
Run a fingernail over the scratch to check its depth. Shallow scratches can often be buffed out. Run your fingernail across the scratch. If it “catches” in the groove, then it is too deep to be buffed out. Deep scratches can only be removed by other methods.^{[4]
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3
Apply toothpaste to a damp cloth. A mild abrasive, like toothpaste, helps wipe the scratch away. Use a paste variety, not a gel one. You won’t need to put much on the cloth. Just use enough that you can smear it all over the scratch. Instead of toothpaste, you could also try:^{[5]
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- Furniture polish.
- Commercial plastic polish.
- Baking soda.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 December 2020.} Take a couple spoonfuls and mix in enough drops of water to form a smooth paste.
4
Wipe the cloth in a circular motion over the scratch. Go over the whole scratch, from one end to the other. This buffing action is what can rub the scratch out of the plastic. Keep buffing until the scratch disappears.^{[7]
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5
Clean and dry the area. When you’re done, wipe the area with a fresh damp cloth to remove the paste and residue. Then, take a clean cloth and wipe everything down to dry it.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing a Deep Scratch

1
Get several grades of sandpaper. If the scratch is thick enough to “catch” on your fingernail, you can try sanding it out. To do this properly, though, you’ll need to have several grades of sandpaper, from 800 grit to 1500 or even 2000.
- Higher numbers indicate finer sandpaper.
- You can find sandpaper at any store that sells hardware supplies. You can often find it in assorted packs so you don’t have to buy a separate pack for each grade.
2
Start by wetting some 800 grit paper. Take a piece, and fold it in thirds. This will give you a smaller surface to work with, and make it easier to hold the paper. Run some water over the sandpaper.^{[9]
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- It’s very important to wet the sandpaper--this helps it from becoming too abrasive, and also helps clear away grit and dust as you work.
3
Rub the sandpaper over the scratch in a circular motion. The buffing motion combined with the abrasiveness of the sandpaper can help remove many scratches. Work gently, however. Being too forceful can cause new scratches.^{[10]
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- Keep buffing until the scratch disappears.
4
Clean the area. Use a fresh, damp cloth and wipe down the area you’ve been working on. Take a new, clean cloth and run it over everything until it's all dry.^{[11]
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5
Use finer grit sandpaper if necessary. Examine the scratch area. It should look different, and the scratch may have been removed. If it’s still visible, however, you can try rubbing it again with a finer grade of sandpaper. Try 1200 grit, for instance, and follow the same procedure as before.
- Make sure to wet the sandpaper each time, and to work gently.^{[12]
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- If 1200 grit doesn’t work, move up to an even finer grade (like 1500), and so on.
6
Polish the area. Once the scratch is fully removed, polishing the area will make everything look like new. Get some commercial plastic or acrylic polishing compound and place some on a clean cloth. Wipe the whole plastic area to blend everything in. Then take a clean cloth and wipe off the excess.^{[13]
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- You can find plastic polishing compound at most big-box stores, either in the auto supply or home cleaning sections.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Covering up Scratches on Car Plastic

1
Clean the scratch area. Use a damp cloth dipped into warm water mixed with mild detergent. Rub the cloth over the scratch and surrounding area to remove any dirt and grime.^{[14]
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2
Get a buffer pad and buffing compound. These supplies can be found at hardware stores, and some auto supply stores. The buffer pad can be attached to any regular electric drill. The buffing compound helps it rub out the scratch.^{[15]
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3
Rub the scratch out by using a drill and buffing pad. Attach the buffing pad to an electric drill. Apply a small amount of buffing compound to the pad (follow the instructions on the product). Turn the drill on and gently work the pad over the entire scratch area.^{[16]
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4
Use a touch-up pen, if necessary. If the scratch is deep, a touch up pen will hide the problem further. Look up the correct paint code for your automobile (check the owner’s manual or look for a label on the car). Find the matching touch-up pen at an auto supply store.^{[17]
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- Most of the time, all you have to do is draw the pen over the scratch, and paint will be applied.
- Let the area dry before continuing.
5
Apply clear coat to the area. Clear coat helps blend the buffed area back in with the rest of the plastic. That way, you won’t be able to tell there had been a scratch.^{[18]
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- You can find clear coat at auto supply stores.
- Follow the instructions provided with the product. If it’s just a small scratch, you can probably just paint the clear coat on the area.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
6
Polish the area with car wax. Once you’re done and everything’s dry, get some regular car wax. Use a clean cloth or polishing pad, and buff the entire area with wax. This final step will help make your car look as good as new.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can I clean plastic?

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist
Jon Gholian is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleany, a home and office cleaning concierge service based in New York City, New Jersey & Miami. Cleany specializes in providing quality cleaning and handyman services to all their customers. All Cleany employees are insured, bonded, and professionally trained. Cleany has been featured in the New York Times, Bravo & Redfin.

Jon Gholian

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

You can mix some dish soap in warm water. Dampen a cloth with it and clean the plastic. Then wipe it with a microfiber towel.
Question

How can I clean a scratched plastic screen?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

It is possible to remove scratches from a plastic screen, provided they are not too deep. Some ways to remove scratches from a plastic screen include: wiping with a Magic Eraser, using a specifically designed commercial scratch remover, rubbing with a pencil eraser or polishing with car headlight cream. For some more help with specific screen cleaning that removes scratches, see How to Remove Scratches from a Phone Screen and How to Clean a Flat Screen TV.
Question

Can you polish scratches out of acrylic?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can remove scratches from acrylic by polishing. You’ll need suitable acrylic or plastic polish and sandpaper. Follow the instructions outlined above in the article for sanding and polishing to remove the scratches. If the scratches are deeper than 5mm, it may not be possible to polish out the scratches. If the item is valuable, it's best to talk to an expert (such as a car repairer) to find out whether other options exist.