Can Plastic Scratches Be Repaired?
2 Answers
Yes, they can be repaired through gray polishing or grinding polishing. Definition of Grinding Polishing: Grinding polishing involves smoothing the rough surface of plastic products. The polishing material can be processed using approximately 300-mesh silicon dioxide fine powder. For transparent and relatively soft plastic products such as organic glass or polystyrene, an appropriate amount of green oil can be added to the material. If the surface requirements of the product are not high, cleaning and drying after gray polishing or grinding polishing can complete the process. Advantages of Grinding Polishing: The main difference between grinding and polishing is that polishing cannot alter the dimensional accuracy of the workpiece. It only removes fine lines and blemishes from organic glass, improves surface smoothness, reduces haze, and achieves a mirror-like finish. During polishing, polishing paste is applied between the polishing wheel and the processing surface.
Yes, it can be repaired. I've dealt with plastic scratches many times myself. For example, on car dashboards or door panels, those fine scratches can usually be fixed with toothpaste. Just squeeze a little onto a soft cloth and gently polish for a while, and the scratches will fade or disappear. For deeper scratches, you can consider using a heat repair method—blow a hair dryer at the affected area for a few seconds. The plastic surface will slightly melt and fill in the marks, but be careful not to use too high a temperature, or it may bubble. For phone cases or household plastic items, there are specialized repair agents available in supermarkets—just apply and wait for it to dry. Remember, different plastics respond differently; harder plastics like PVC aren’t as easy to heat-repair, so it’s best to test a small area first. After each repair, I apply a layer of protective agent to prevent new scratches, since plastic is prone to wear. In daily use, avoiding contact with hard objects like keys can significantly reduce damage—maintenance is more important than repair.
