How to get rid of scuffs on plastic. How to remove scratches from plastic and make the surface perfectly smooth

10/29/2016 5 77 038 views

Surfaces of all kinds of plastics surround us. They are comfortable and practical, but they are prone to deformation. Therefore, the question of how to polish plastic from scratches is always relevant. To keep your beloved smartphone, windowsill or TV attractive appearance, you need to familiarize yourself with our tips and, with the help of simple actions, turn them into almost their original appearance.

It is enough to look around to see how indispensable plastic has become in everyday life. It is made of it: appliances, communication equipment, kitchen utensils, car parts, decoration materials.

This material is lightweight and cheap, easy to use and unpretentious, as well as resistant to temperature fluctuations. The only drawback is the relatively low density, which is a consequence of the appearance of scuffs and scratches on it. Because of this, it is too expensive to change the entire product.

Training

Getting to work, you must first of all decide what we are actually going to do and what available means. It is not difficult to polish, it is only important to know how. To begin with, you should understand that jack of all trades distinguish at least three different kinds such actions:

Thermal (using a hair dryer).
Chemical (that is, acting on plastic with toothpaste, polish or GOI paste).
Mechanical (using a drill or other polishing machine).

Initially, we estimate how great the damage caused, and based on this, we choose the method of further work:

Remove scratches from plastic by hand polishing.
Deeper damage can be overcome using heat.
The coating is chemically treated to its perfect shine, and your headlights will shine like new.

When the future strategy of action is determined, it remains to carefully prepare the product for work. Using the most common dishwashing or glass cleaner, you should carefully remove accumulated dirt and grease stains. Surely the plastic has a frame made of a different material. These places are pasted over with masking tape, which will be removed after the end of the work.

Plastic sanding

This method of machining a plastic surface is used when there are deep scratches that cannot be effectively removed in any other way. The material lends itself well to grinding, having low temperature melting. As a result of unhurried, careful work, we should get a uniform matte surface where there were deep scratches before. Here is the subsequent range of actions:

we place the previously cleaned material where it will be convenient to work with it;
preparing workplace, we remove all unnecessary items;
as a processing material, we take several waterproof skins of various textures;
a special grinder is useful as an auxiliary tool;
if there is no machine, then it should be borne in mind that grinding with soapy water gives a good effect.

We begin the work using a skin that has a large texture. Grinding is not a hurry; accuracy is required. We process the product in a slow mode, monitor the temperature, it should not overheat. We methodically move from the coarse texture of the skins to the finer ones. After using each of them, wipe the treated area with a dry cloth, this allows you not to miss the remaining flaws.

How to polish plastic from scratches yourself?

There are several ways, using which, removing scratches and scuffs will cease to be an impossible dream. At home, with the help of simple devices, you can make a shabby product perfect with your own hands.

If the plastic surface that your kitchen table has has stopped sparkling and is covered with scratches, then polishing it to its original shine will not be difficult.

The same method will allow you to make the window slope as textured as it was several years ago. A few hours of focused work will save you a lot of money.

Manual polishing

After getting rid of scratches, it's time to move on to the next laborious process - polishing, which makes the old part almost new. Services involving the removal of scratches are widely provided by car and cellular dealerships, as well as specialized cleaning companies.

They are not cheap, the same work is easy to do with your own hands. After all, special tools and devices that are used by professionals are sold in all car dealerships. The main thing when choosing a polishing paste: do not forget that we will process plastic; in order not to overshoot in the choice, you should consult with the seller, who will give professional advice.

By the way, GOI paste has proven itself well with the chosen processing method. It should be familiar to those who served in the army and washed a belt badge. With this tool, you can ideally polish objects that do not pretend to be pristine transparency.

If we are talking about a TV that has scratches or a phone that has serious abrasions, then it is better to use special pastes. They may be more expensive, but the effect will be desired.

Manual polishing:

optimally processes small parts and small surfaces;
we take a homogeneous paste, impurities and grains are excluded;
oil will give a special gloss;
apply the paste to the surface with felt or felt
we use circular motions;
the hand goes easily, the pressure is not great;
the whole process takes 15 to 20 minutes.

We use a polishing machine, which in the most budgetary version consists of a drill with a special attachment:

an inexpensive polishing pad is sold in the store;
the best application of such a machine is the surface of the headlights;
a good economy is provided by replacing the nozzle with a piece of ordinary felt.

This material requires solid fastening so that it does not fall off.

Polishing treatment

Do not forget about polish among the products purchased in a specialty store. With its help, the result of your work will be glossy plastic, no different from the one that we purchased in the store. The technology of work is as follows:

The product is applied to the surface in the form of a small uniform layer.
It is necessary to thoroughly grind it with a special cloth or attachment.
Then, in fact, the process of work begins, by which the required result is achieved, the plastic will bring the polish to a mirror shine.
If the surface of the phone is polished, then, subject to periodic exposure to moisture, the transparent plastic eventually loses achieved resultand the process should be repeated.
Repetition is necessary in any case, if you see that your plastic is again black and worn.

Conclusion: to avoid frequent updates, protect household items from moisture.

Using a polishing machine

This is a completely professional tool that allows you to bring the restoration of the product to the perfect process. Such a tool is useful and convenient. It is especially recommended for motorists who from time to time perfect the headlights of their car, as well as its plastic surfaces. The main convenience lies in speed, a volume of work is done in a few minutes, which will take manually, perhaps more than one hour.

The consideration that guides a person acquiring such a technique is the need to put things in order from time to time in his household... Such a polishing masterpiece is not so expensive, it is available in stores selling power tools.

Several nuances that should be observed in the process of using the tool:

before using special tools, it is necessary to remove the remnants of dirt with a damp nozzle;
when the action is nearing the end, one of the special pastes purchased in the store is used;
a special foam nozzle will help to create a special gloss on the product.

The entire method takes a few minutes.

Video: how to polish plastic from scratches with a polishing machine?

Hair dryer

Another rather original method of getting rid of scratches is to use the most ordinary hair dryer. The meaning of the method is simple: plastic reacts vividly to sudden changes in temperature, so heat treatment is the best way to "heal wounds" on the surface of your phone.

Two types of tools are used for work: a regular hair dryer used to dry hair, and a special building unit.

Before work, dirt is removed from the plastic.
It is best to start the process with minimum power.
We direct a stream of hot air to the required area.
If scratches persist, the power must be gradually increased, but without fanaticism.
The main expected result is that the scratched area will take on a matte base, and they will disappear.
After cooling down, the plastic starts to polish.

Toothpaste

In some cases, there is no need to purchase expensive products. As practice shows, such improvised means as ordinary toothpaste can serve as an abrasive for polishing the same headlights. Despite the low cost and extreme availability, the gloss of the surface, in the end, turns out to be no worse than when using a proprietary product from a specialized store.

The principle of working with this tool:

we get rid of dirt with the help of detergents;
the composition of the product must be neutral;
after degreasing, the product is washed and dried;
the paste is applied to a piece of flannel;
circular movements, clockwise or counterclockwise;
it is periodically necessary to wash off the resulting gruel;
the remaining paste is best removed with a damp sponge.

Obviously, using simple methods and a budgetary arsenal of funds, you can save significant money and get a truly brilliant result.

5 methods to polish plastic from scratches and scuffs

4 (80%) 2 votes

During the operation of the car, the owner is faced with such a problem as the appearance of scratches on the plastic. A completely fair question arises, how to remove scratches from plastic and return the car to its previous appearance. In this article, we'll take a look at the most popular scratch removal methods.

Scratches on the plastic bumper

Checklist of the main ways to remove scratches

There are several methods for removing scratches, the choice of which depends on the complexity of the damage and the type of surface. Here is a list of them:

repair with a hairdryer;
smoothing irregularities with open fire;
polishing scratches;
masking with special means;
complete plastic repair.

It is important to know! Embossed plastic parts can only be repaired using the latest methods. Any other influences can lead to an even greater deterioration in the condition of the material.

Hairdryer repair

Delete minor scratches on the plastic elements of the car, you can use an ordinary hair dryer - it is not even necessary to use a construction tool. The essence of the process is that when the surface is heated, shallow damages heal by themselves. If you use a blow dryer, you need to distribute the air flow evenly over the surface to be treated to prevent overheating. Ideally, defects will heal completely. If not, they will be reduced in size, thus facilitating subsequent polishing.

Building hair dryer

First, you need to thoroughly wash the plastic so that no dust and dirt remains in its pores. After the surface has dried, you need to turn on the device in a weak mode and direct warm air to the problem area.

The essence of this method is the same as the previous one. It is necessary to heat the plastic so that the damage itself heals. To do this, bring an open fire to the surface for a short time, and then wait for it to cool down. Do not touch the eraser of the car until it has completely cooled down. Soot traces should be removed with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Removing scratches from plastic

Polishing

The safest and most effective car plastic repair is polishing. It will require a special dispersed agent. Do not use car body polish pastes - they will only further damage the plastic. Repairs can be done manually or with a typewriter.

It is important to know! High revs grinding wheel can overheat and damage the plastic, so without proper experience it is better to polish by hand.

Step-by-step instructions for polishing

Wash out the plastic. In this case, it is better to use detergent to remove dirt.
Dry the surface in a closed, dark room.
Apply a layer of paste by hand and wait a little.
When the applied product looks like a plaque, you can start polishing. The repair usually takes no more than five minutes.
The surface needs to be polished in a circular motion with light pressure until all plaque is erased. After completing the removal of the scratch, you need to carefully remove the remaining paste.

Elimination by camouflage means

Most simple method removing scratches on the plastic of a car is a masking with a pencil. This elimination is quite expensive, but in this case the pencil can be applied many times. Its shelf life is practically unlimited. The product itself is a container filled with a special substance that fills in deep scratches in the car and makes them invisible. The main criterion for choosing such a tool is the color of the plastic of the car.

Pencil for removing scratches

Making repairs is as easy as shelling pears. As in any other case, you should wash the plastic of the car and dry it, then apply the substance to the defects and wait until it hardens. Then - to get rid of excess composition by polishing.

Complete plastic repair

This option is the most difficult and costly. It is used in cases when deep scratches appear on the plastic of the car, which cannot be hidden by any of the above methods. But with it, you can completely remove visible defects and even change the color. plastic parts auto.

Fine sandpaper

Such repairs require the dismantling of the plastic elements.
After the desired element is removed, it should be thoroughly washed using a special detergent for the plastic elements of the car.
Sand the damaged surface, removing deep and small scratches. This can be done manually or using a circle. It is better to use fine sandpaper as an abrasive.

It is important to know! Embossed surfaces cannot be sanded, so this step should be skipped for them.

Apply a coat of primer from a spray can. It is better to choose a product that does not react with the plastic of the car.
Pad the plastic of the car with a fine abrasive until a perfectly smooth surface is obtained.
After priming, you can start painting the plastic of the car in the desired color. If desired, the surface can be varnished.

It is important to know! Varnished surfaces reflect sunlight, so certain elements should not be coated with them.

For many, a car is not only a means of quickly moving around the city and beyond at any time of the day. For most, this is an indicator of status, which means that the appearance of the car should always be at its best. But with the time of operation on the torpedo, defects inevitably appear in the cabin and the question arises of how to remove scratches from the plastic. To restore a solid and stylish look salon and continue to enjoy a comfortable ride, it is not at all necessary to rush to the nearest service station. It is enough to know how and how to remove scratches from the plastic of the car, adhere to the proposed instructions for the most convenient way and allocate a maximum of an hour of time to complete this easy work.

How to remove scratches on plastic?

There are a lot of means and methods to deal with the damaged surface of the torpedo - from a regular lighter to professional paint and varnish products. What exactly can be useful in your case is up to you.

Consider:

the cost of interior parts;
currently available budget for repair work;
skills in handling various repair materials;
amount of free time;
own neatness.

Important! If you are the owner of an expensive car brand and you have not personally performed any repair work before, it is better not to experiment and immediately buy professional products in order to remove scratches from the plastic of the car. It is desirable that these drugs be the most simple and convenient to use.

Express solution

If the damage is not very deep, but it hurts your eyes and you are not going to wait any longer when you find time to thoroughly remove it, use a regular lighter right now. Proceed with caution and within 15 minutes your salon will look decent, like new.

For this:

Set the smallest fire on a regular cigarette lighter.
Heat the problem area with fire, without exposing the plastic to the flame for a long time.
Wait 10-15 minutes after the procedure, without touching the surface - this time is needed for the splicing of the scratch seams and the polymerization of the material.
Evaluate the result - the defects should disappear.

Important! Please note that if you heat the material for too long, whitish streaks may form after re-solidification, which will look even less aesthetically pleasing than scratches. Therefore, apply the flame in passing, literally for a few seconds, moving your hand back and forth along the problem area.

Thorough repair of the torpedo

In the case when your soul does not lie for experiments and you want to do everything for sure, use this method to remove scratches from plastic.

The sequence of actions will look like this:

Carry out a thorough cleaning of the torpedo - remove removable parts from it, remove paintwork in a problem place.
Wash this interior element.
Degrease the entire surface with acetone or alcohol.
To level the surface, use a fine-grained emery paper over the material. A sander is also suitable for this purpose, if you know how to use it and you have it with your stock.
Thoroughly rinse the surface of the torpedo again and degrease it.
Use a spray primer of a suitable color.
Apply it evenly to the surface.
Make a technical pause for the solution to set.
Spray more on the same surface to create a solid second coat. Be sure to make sure that no smudges form and the surface is perfectly smooth.
Wait for the time indicated on the spray can for the mixture to harden.
Polish the material.
Pick a paint that matches the color of the torpedo and the interior of the car.
Apply it to the desired surface.
Wait until it is completely dry.
Make sure the salon looks attractive and problem areas is no longer observed.

Important! This method is best used to update the entire surface of the torpedo, rather than individual portions of it. Professional craftsmen can line up a small area of \u200b\u200ba scratch, even deep enough, in this way. But in the absence of special skills and experience, it is unlikely that it will be possible to make the coating even at home. But cleaning the entire part and re-coating it with paint until a uniform coating is obtained is not difficult.

Melting torpedo

A regular lighter is suitable if you need to remove scratches on very small plastic. If the depth is impressive enough, and the length of the defect is also significant in size, you can also use the melting technology. But for this purpose it is more suitable special tool - building hair dryer.

The essence of the technology lies in a similar effect on the material as in the first method, but the sequence of actions will be different.

Instructions:

Carefully remove all debris and dirt from the plastic part of the interior to be repaired.
Sand the problem area with sandpaper.
Remove dust with a damp cloth.
Degrease the surface.
Turn on the building hair dryer, having previously exposed temperature regime at 300 S.
Apply warm air, pushing the jet along the scratch line.
Do not hold your hand in one place for a long time, even if the depth of the crack is not the same.
Leave material for curing and splicing.
Prime in 2 coats and apply paint of a suitable shade.

Important! It is this technology that is used at specialized service stations in order to remove large scratches on the plastic of the car interior. But when connecting professionals, you will have to pay money for their services. If you have a hair dryer and all other tools and materials for self-repair, and you also have similar experience, feel free to act according to the proposed scheme and the problem will be eliminated.

Polishes, pencils and gels

The automotive cosmetics market today offers a wide range of all kinds of products for removing scratches from plastic. These are gels, polishes, pencils.

Important! The only thing you need to know and understand is that such products are suitable only for the restoration of the plastic coating with minor damage. These products will not decorate deep slots.

The use of any of these means is very primitive, it is enough only:

remove dirt from the damaged area;
apply the repair mass along the defect line;
rub it with a sponge;
polish with a soft, lint-free cloth;
wait until the plastic scratch remover dries.

Important! When choosing a manufacturer, take into account the degree of its reliability, so as not to completely spoil the appearance of the torpedo or plastic interior parts. Such brands as “Repair”, “Displex” have proven themselves well.

Another nuance is the shade of the tool for removing scratches from the plastic of a car. The mass can be colorless, which is quite suitable for the restoration of the smallest damage. If the scratch is noticeable enough on the surface, carefully select the tone of the repair mixture so that it matches the existing color of the torpedo.

When using aggressive solvents for degreasing, as well as mechanical tools, be sure to use individual protection - gloves, goggles and even a respirator. So you will protect your skin and mucous membranes from damage by direct physical impact or the release of corrosive fumes that are harmful to human health.
When using any means for removing scratches from plastic of a car, work only in a well-ventilated area, even better - spend renovation work on open air.
Keep animals and children away from the work area.
If your car belongs to the category expensive cars, it is better to contact the service center. Otherwise, with a bad experience of personal repair, the purchase of new parts can result in you a substantial amount, much higher than the price of repairs to remove scratches from plastic.

With all the information on how to remove scratches, as well as the right tools and repair skills, you can easily cope with the task of restoring the interior of your car. If, even in the absence of prior experience, you decide to try various methods on your own, act very carefully and slowly. In this case, for sure you will succeed at a decent level, and ride in an updated beautiful car will become doubly pleasant.

Everyday use of plastic items inevitably leads to the appearance of defects on their surface. To eliminate scratches, chips, abrasions, and other damage to the material, it is worth figuring out how to polish the plastic. Using simple and affordable methods, it is quite possible to cope with the problem. on their ownwithout seeking help from specialists.

Selecting Plastic Polishing Solutions

In order to choose a suitable remedy for removing defects on the plastic surface, it is worth assessing the complexity of the damage. Depending on this, in the future it will be necessary to give preference to one or another polishing method.

You can perform work in the following ways:

mechanical;
thermal;
chemical.

If the plastic is covered with small scratches, a delicate hand polishing using chemical abrasives. This is where special substances for polishing coarse and fine grain come in handy. When you have to deal with deep enough damage, thermal effects on the material, as well as rough mechanical grinding, will eliminate the problem.

grinding wheel

Polishing technology in this way assumes the presence of a drill. A special grinding attachment is used here, which is easy to purchase at any hardware store. With its help, cleaning of any surfaces can be performed, not only plastic, but also with toothpaste and other things.

If you need to save a little, then a piece of felt can serve as an alternative to a special grinding attachment. A piece of material must be rolled up and inserted into the drill chuck. felt is quite effective. The only thing that is required to achieve the expected result is reliable fixation of the material. Otherwise, the felt will jump off the drill, causing a lot of trouble in the process.

Toothpaste application

To polish plastic, it is not at all necessary to spend money on the purchase of specialized chemical compounds or resort to surface treatment with an electric tool. To eliminate tarnishing of the material and remove small scratches from its surface, you can use ordinary toothpaste as an abrasive. The use of such an affordable household product makes it possible to return the former shine to plastic products. As practice shows, it is especially effective

The polishing process involves the following:

The surfaces are cleaned of dust and dirt. Any household detergent that has a neutral chemical composition is used here.
The plastic is degreased, rinsed and dried.
Toothpaste is applied to a clean flannel cloth. The surfaces are polished in a circular motion in one direction.
The resulting gruel is washed off. The operation is repeated.
Remains of toothpaste are removed with a damp sponge. The plastic product is wiped dry.

Heat treatment

How to polish plastic, the surface of which contains deep enough defects? To do this, it is worth subjecting it to heating with a hair dryer, which will greatly simplify the subsequent grouting of the damage.

For uniform cleaning of plastic products, large areas are processed with a hot air stream. As the material melts, the scratches will gradually heal. You should work with a hairdryer carefully so as not to overdo it, because if excessive heating is done, the plastic can deform.

When resorting to this method, one should not expect a complete, rapid disappearance of defects. It is enough to carry out heating until the edges of scratches on the plastic begin to melt slightly. Then you must immediately proceed to grout them with a grinding wheel or manually using abrasives.

Plastic polishing paste

Ideal for removing scuffs, chips and scratches on plastic surfaces. There are several types of this product. Each of them has a different grain size. Therefore, the main thing here is to choose the correct number of the substance, starting from the nature of the existing defects.

For rough, rough grinding, a substance with an index of 4 is suitable. Such a GOI paste, the price of which is about 200 rubles for a container with a volume of 100 grams, will remove large damage to the material. In this case, you will have to resort to surface treatment. mechanically using

To eliminate medium damage, a tool with an index of 3 is suitable. The presented GOI paste, the price of which is up to 180 rubles, is perfect solution if grouting is necessary, there are enough textured scratches.

As for the final polishing, here it is worth using a paste with an index of 1 or 2. These agents are the least abrasive and are the ideal solution for finishing grouting surfaces.

Polishing treatment

How to polish plastic to perfect condition? To do this, you should use a special polish designed to work with the presented material. It is recommended to apply the substance on the surface with a thin, even layer. To make the surfaces smooth and shiny, it is enough to rub the polish well with a piece of flannel cloth or a soft sanding attachment. Such a seemingly insignificant nuance will make it possible to consolidate the result obtained, regardless of the method that was used to eliminate defects from the plastic surface.

It should be noted that polishes are not protected from moisture and water. Over time, they are simply washed off. Therefore, if tarnishing of the plastic is noticed some time after the treatment with polish, the surfaces should be wiped from dirt and re-coated with the substance. This approach will allow you to avoid the appearance of new defects and maintain the shine of the product for a long time.

Finally

So we figured out how to polish plastic with our own hands at home. As you can see, for this you just need to use the usual tools at hand, as well as available tools that can be easily found on sale. Thanks to the combination of polishing methods and a competent approach to the task, you can bring back to life any plastic object that has noticeable defects on its surface.

Self-polishing of products makes it possible to save a decent amount. With a little practice, relying on the above methods, you can learn how to qualitatively restore plastic items not only for yourself, but also for friends and relatives.

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Exterior equipment is important for many drivers along with the condition of his engine and others. important nodes, especially when it comes to the front panel, since it is seen by the driver and all passengers. Therefore, if a scratch or several pieces have formed on the plastic, you need to know how to remove them from the car without the need for such an event as repairs.

Damage types

Often there are small scratches in the car interior, intertwining into a web of damage. As a result, the appearance of the interior deteriorates, which requires a search for camouflage techniques. Knowing the options for action, you can remove defects in a short time with minimal financial costs.

More serious costs will have to be incurred if you have to repair deep damage, since many defects cannot be hidden using simple techniques. The following are the most common methods to help remove unwanted scratches, thereby enhancing the look of your vehicle interior.

There are several options for plastic scratches in the car interior:

Small cracks in the vehicle, formed when the material comes into contact with the keys and other personal belongings of the driver that come into contact with the panel.
Deep large cracks that require a more detailed approach to their destruction.
Scratches caused by the sun as a result of its action. The fact is that after radiation, the surface becomes dull and loses its color.

The removal process is not always easy, you will need overhaul products.

Action options

Based on the type of plastic that covers the panel, as well as the type of damage present on the surface, it is possible to choose a specific method by which the repair will be carried out. For this, such improvised devices as a hairdryer, open fire, polishing, pencils, and cleaning are used. Let's consider each of the options in more detail.

Using a hair dryer

A hair dryer is a proven vehicle for removing damage. You can use not only a special tool, but also an ordinary household hair dryer. The restoration is carried out quite simply: in the car, prolonged damage becomes invisible.

To repair the torpedo using this method, it is necessary to prepare the surface by washing it out, which will allow the scratches to get rid of the stubborn dirt. After passing through the drying stage, you need to air-polish the damaged area.

Using a lighter

Open fire is the best plastic reducer in cars. Lighter operations are a proven process that does not require a lot of time and money. To remove defects, you need to bring the lighter to plastic surface and run the flame along the scratch several times.

These procedures must be performed with extreme caution. After that, you need to wait for the plastic to cool, while you cannot touch it.

Material polishing

If the car is scratched, expensive repairs (polishing) may not be necessary; a polishing procedure may work. In order for the polishing to be carried out efficiently, an abrasive paste is used. Means for varnish and paint are contraindicated. Simple polishing involves a complex of stages:

the surface is washed out from dirt;
the area to be treated must be dried and cooled in a room without light;
apply a special paste to the panel by hand;
polishing begins directly.

Attention! Instant polishing begins only after the product has turned into a plaque that has a light color.

Thus, polishing is a proven method of fixing problems with the interior of the car.

Using special pencils

For the instrument panel and instruments are often used special pencils for plastic, designed to remove problems. This method not among the most budgetary options, as markers are expensive. They are presented in bottles with a mixture that, when applied to the damaged area, will fill the scratch cavity and eliminate it. The choice of color in accordance with the tone of the panel plays an important role.

Capital works

If there are scratches on the plastic on the interior panel, repairs may be required. The most difficult of these methods is painting. In this case, it is possible to eliminate defects and bring the panels into proper condition. Next, the surface is sanded, which allows you to hide irregularities and make the material as smooth and attractive as possible.