How To Clean Scratches Off Clear Plastic

Have a look at this nasty pigment scratch…

It looks really bad but, in actuality, it's a typical key scratch.

This blazon of thing happens to everybody, though many folks don't even notice.

Meticulous auto owners, on the other mitt, tend to stress when something like this occurs. If that'south you, we have proficient news.

For a clearcoat pigment stop, removing shallow paint scratches is quick and piece of cake. Such repairs tin be done at home. Information technology's not rocket science!

You just need to learn how to brand minor surface scratches disappear like magic. And you but need an cheap scratch repair kit and a drill.

And so let's get started…

Utilise The Right Repair Technique

Starting time, you lot need to decide if the paint scratch is fine or deep.

The way to do this is to simply feel it with your fingernail!

Basically, a scratch tin be repaired with the process on this page if:

You lot cannot actually feel it or;
If you tin can feel it, but your fingernail does not take hold of on the scratch.

If you can indeed feel the scratch and it catches your fingernail, or you meet the primer color or bare metal, you should caput over to our How-To Repair Paint Chips & Deep Scratches page.

Check clearcoat scratch with fingernail — Feel the scratch with your fingernail. If your fingernail catches on the scratch you lot'll need to fill it with clearcoat touch-up.

Merely allow me be crystal clear:

The damage is still considered pocket-sized if you can experience the paint scratch in the clearcoat, but fingernails do not catch.

Rest assured, this type of matter can be fully restored and the method is pretty easy!

It but takes a slice of 3000 grit wet and dry sand newspaper. Smooth away those grit sanding scratches with an auto pigment polish.

3M'due south First-class Scratch Removal Organization

3M offers the best DIY fix-information technology kits I accept always used.

It is designed for clearcoat scratches that haven't penetrated the color coat layer.

What's great is that 3M's Scratch Removal Arrangement is a complete kit which features 3000 dust sandpaper, two grades of foam polishing discs, backup plate for a drill and two car polish grades.

These tools are exactly what you need to make a perfect repair.

Check out this 3M video. It shows the ease of removing slight scratches yourself.

I'll let y'all in on a little secret…

This is the same process professionals utilise. It is only packaged for machine owners.

Again, the arrangement is designed for ane thing: Dealing with common harm to clear coat. We're talking fine scratches on door handles, doors or trunk.

Just, how does it work?

It actually removes a very sparse layer of the clear coat pigment.

Do not worry! It just sounds bad.

You can rely on the 3M Scratch Removal Kit to assist you tackle the job.

But wait a second!

You'll also need a drill (1200-1600 RPM) and a dual speed cordless drill would exist fifty-fifty better.

What else? A microfiber cloth, spray bottle and water.

All you lot need to remove cruddy pigment scratches is a cordless drill and a 3M Scratch Repair System.

5 Step Scratch Removal Process

Take you e'er sanded and refinished a piece of piece of furniture or patched drywall?

Well, this is pretty similar!

In fact, there aren't many things to do. It is a basic process with the entire projection typically taking an hour or so.

Here are the v steps:

one. Set up the Surface — Clean and remove dirt from the scratched surface area.

two. Sand the Scratch — Use an abrasive pad to sand the expanse past hand. Do this until the scratch is no longer visible.

3. Refine the Scratch — Adhere the disc pad holder to a drill and the purple compounding pad to the disc pad holder. Using a quarter-sized amount of 3M Rubbing Compound, buff the sanded expanse. Ensure scratches are removed from the surface.

4. Polish and Restore Smooth — Switch to the black polishing pad. Apply a quarter-sized amount of 3M Scratch Remover onto the black pad. Smooth surface area compounded to farther remove scratches to level of desired shine.

v. Protect the Repaired Expanse — For added protection, apply a quality car wax to the repaired area. Do the entire vehicle if you wish.

Be certain to limit the above piece of work (steps 1-4) to a minor department of your vehicle. In other words, do not endeavor to fix multiple scratches in one go.

Continue learning with our Paint Repair Dispensary series: How-to Fix Paint Chips & Deep Scratches!