Removing scratches is crucial in bringing back the shine of a plastic surface. It would be best to do it the recommended way to achieve the desired outcome. It means choosing the right materials and the right method.
Once you have known the materials to use, you are halfway toward achieving the desired outcome. Focus on choosing the right method and obeying the precautions.
How Frequent Should You Remove Scratches from Black Plastic
The more the scratches spread, the difficult they become to remove. It is easier to remove scratches when they are small or shallow.
Frequent cleaning also blocks the cloudy white film that might spread on the plastic. Clean the outdoor furniture, toys, or accessories once a month and cover them when not used.
How to Remove Scratches from Black Plastic
Scratches form unappealing blemishes on back plastic. To refine the plastic surface, you can use a plastic scratch remover or a multipurpose metal polish. These are solvents that are polished on plastic for gentle restoration.
Supplies You Will Need
- Water
- Soap
- Soft cloth/microfiber cloth
- Rubbing alcohol
- Plastic scratch remover or metal polish
- Distilled white vinegar
- Gloves
- Face mask/respirator
The Steps
Step 1: Wash the Surface. It is imperative to remove dust particles from the plastic surface because they can cause more scratches.
Wash the plastic item in warm water and soap solution using a soft cloth. If the item is water sensitive or too big to wash in a bucket, dip a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol and wipe down the scratched area to remove surface grime.
If you notice a cloudy appearance, add ½ cup of distilled white vinegar to the warm soapy water solution to polish back the surface to its original look.
Step 2: Apply plastic scratch remover or metal polish to a soft cloth
Step 3: Rub the soft cloth containing plastic scratch remover or metal polish on the plastic surface. Apply gentle to medium pressure to rub the solvent in both back and forth and circular motions to cover the scratches effectively.
Step 4: Let the solvent dry on the plastic surface as it works to remove the scratches.
Step 5: Once it has dried, use a soft or microfiber cloth to wipe it clean.
Step 6: You may need to repeat the process to remove any scratches left behind.
Ensure to wear your protective gear such as mask/respirator and gloves
There are other methods you can use to remove scratches from black plastic. You can use;
- Toothpaste
- Baking soda
- Sandpaper
How to Remove Scratches from Black Plastic Using Toothpaste
Toothpaste is effective when dealing with light scratches. Standard toothpaste is abrasive or contains grit that helps buff out the minor scratches. It is recommended to use a whitening toothpaste because it has tiny abrasives.
Supplies You Will Need
- Toothpaste (Non-gel)
- Cotton cloth
- Water
- Gloves
- Elbow grease
The Steps
Step 1: Squeeze out toothpaste and spread it on the affected area. Ensure the paste is enough to cover the scratches effectively.
Step 2: Use a cotton cloth to buff the scratches in circular motions until the surfaces become even. Apply gentle to medium pressure to avoid causing more scratches.
Step 3: While buffing, add a little bit of elbow grease to achieve the best results.
Step 4: Use warm water to rinse the surface.
Step 5: Polish the affected area using a polishing compound such as commercial plastic to restore the plastic as it might appear dull.
You may be required to perform the process more than once to remove all the scratches, so embrace patience.
How to Remove Scratches from Black Plastic Using Baking Soda
If you are afraid of wasting your toothpaste, you can apply baking soda paste. Baking soda creates an abrasive like a paste that buffs away scratches from black plastic surfaces.
Supplies You Will Need
- Bowl
- Baking soda
- Water
- Cotton round or cloth
- Gloves
The Steps
Step 1: Mix water and baking soda to form a thick paste. Combine 2 parts of baking soda to 1 part of water.
Step 2: Dip the cotton cloth in the paste and rub it on the scratched sections. Ensure to cover all the areas. Rub gently in circular motions to remove the scratches.
Step 3: Dampen a clean towel in water and wipe the area periodically to check your progress.
Step 4: Once you have removed all the scratches, you may polish the area to make it good-looking.
Repeat the process if necessary to remove all the scratches.
How to Remove Scratches from Black Plastic Using Sandpaper
Sanding is good for deeper scratches. If plastic scratch removers, baking soda, or toothpaste fail, you can sand the scratches away. It may take time, but you will have a scratch-free surface in the long run.
Supplies You Will Need
- Sandpaper
- Water
- Towel
The Steps
Step 1: Soak sandpaper in water for some minutes until it’s saturated. Wet sanding is ideal because moisture blocks residues from building up in the sandpaper, which may cause other unintended scratches. Use lower grit sandpaper, let’s say 800 grit sandpaper.
Step 2: Gently sand the affected area in circular motions. Apply gentle to medium pressure since too much pressure may introduce new unintended scratches or damage.
Step 3: Rinse in between the process to check your progress. Ensure to keep the sandpaper wet.
If you spot scratches after rinsing, use finer grit sandpaper.
Step 4: Wet a 1000 grit sandpaper and repeat the process while cleaning after every pass to evaluate the progress.
Step 5: Continue to wet sand the surface using finer grit sandpaper of up to 2000 if the scratches become stubborn.
Step 6: Clean the surface using a damp towel after smoothening all the scratches.
Step 7: Polish the surface. Sanding the plastic makes it lose its sheen in the process. Use a dry towel to apply in circular motions, a polish either plastic scratch remover or metal polishing compound to the sanded area to restore the shine. Repeat the process if necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
Remember, the higher the number, the finer the grit.
How to Remove Scratches from Black Plastic Car Exterior
We often think of the mechanics when we see scratches on our cars. However, there are simple formulas you can use to get rid of the scratches.
Let’s explore the steps to follow.
Supplies You Will Need
- Water
- Bucket
- Shampoo/ dish soap
- Sponge
- Sandpaper
- Microfiber cloth
- Packaging tape
- Plastic trim degreaser
- Polish
The Steps
Step 1: Clean the Scratched Areas
Cleaning the surface helps remove the debris and loose contaminants. You can use Mr. Pink Super Suds Car Wash Shampoo or Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash. Create a soapy solution and use a sponge to wash the affected area.
Step 2: Buff Out the Scratches with (800 Grit) Sandpaper
After washing the surface, immerse the sandpaper in water until it’s saturated. Wet sanding helps avoid creating more scratches. Sand the area in circular motions while applying gentle to medium pressure. Applying more pressure would lead to more unintended scratches.
You can use Abrasive Dry Wet Waterproof Sandpaper and 120 to 3000 Grit Sandpaper Sheets to effectively buff out scratches.
If you don’t succeed on the first attempt, increase the sandpaper grit up to 2000 grit for finer results. Remember, the higher the number, the finer the grit.
Step 3: Wipe the Surface with a Microfiber Cloth
After sanding, wipe off the residues using a microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloth absorbs the moistures and wipes off the residue, leaving the surface clean enough to apply trim restorer.
Step 4: Mask of the Surrounding Areas
Cover the surrounding areas to avoid spraying unwanted areas. You can mask the areas using packaging tape.
Step 5: Degrease the Plastic Trim Properly
Degreasing the plastic makes the surface cleaner because it removes the various contaminants surrounding the surface. The degreasers may smoothen the surface, thus making the fitting process effortless.
Step 6: Apply the Black Plastic Trim Restorer
Use a cotton ball to apply the plastic trim to the affected area. The trim helps heal the scratches, thus restoring the original exterior color. If the scratches were too deep, you might need to apply the plastic trim restorer products more than once to achieve the desired outcome.
Step 7: Polish the Repaired Area
Sometimes after applying the trim restorer on the black plastic, there can be cloudiness or improper smoothness that can be unsightly. Apply polish to restore it. Polishing the surface gives it a sheen look.
You can use Novus Plastic Polish Kit and Meguiar’s PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish.
After completing the work, remove the packaging tapes and admire your hard work.
Precaution and Tips When Removing Scratches from Black Plastic
- Wear protective gear such as gloves and a face mask/respirator as some of the solvents might be harmful to your skin and breathing system
- Check the depth of the scratches as it helps evaluate the best applicable method to remove the scratches. For shallow scratches, use toothpaste or baking soda. Wet sand the surface for deeper scratches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Toothpaste Remove Scratches From Plastic?
You can use white toothpaste to remove shallow scratches from plastic like those found in DVDs and CDs. Use a soft cloth apply a thin coat of toothpaste to the affected area. Apply gentle to medium pressure while rubbing in circular motions. Rinse the surface clean using warm water after removing all the scratches.
How Do You Get Scratches Out Of Acrylic Plastic?
Use sandpaper to remove scratches from acrylic plastic. Immerse a 600 grit sandpaper in water until it’s saturated. Run it over the affected area gently in circular motions. Repeat the process using a dry 600 grit sandpaper. Sand the surface for around three minutes. The frosty appearance will disappear during the sanding process.
How to Remove Scratches Out of the Plastic Face Shield?
Squeeze out enough toothpaste and rub it over the face shield in circular motions using your fingers or a cotton cloth. Let the paste rest on the plastic for five to ten minutes as it removes the scratches. Use a damp towel to wipe the excess paste off. You can also use running tap water to rinse the surface.
Bottom Line
Out of the methods I have used, I prefer the ones discussed above. They are relatively easy, and most of the supplies needed are somewhat available at home.
Pick what will work for you based on the time, resources, and size of a plastic surface while also paying attention to the safety precautions.