How to Get Scratches Out of Plexiglass and Perspex

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Remove cloudiness & restore clarity to your acrylic
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Plexiglass, also called Perspex or acrylic glass, is a common material used on headlights, furniture, fish tanks, containers, and shower doors. That said, it's also easy to scratch. Luckily, it's also easy to remove light scratches with toothpaste or acrylic scratch remover , moderate scratches with sandpaper , and deep scratches with a heat gun . In this article, we'll explain how to restore your plexiglass with cleaning tips from house cleaning professionals Claudia and Angelo Zimmerman!

How do you remove scratches from plexiglass?

Rub whitening toothpaste onto superficial plexiglass scratches to smooth them out. You can also use an acrylic scratch remover if the toothpaste doesn't work. To remove moderate scratches, sand them down with 600-grit and 1200-grit sandpaper. To remove deep scratches, sand them and melt the gaps with a heat gun.

Section 1 of 5:

Using Toothpaste for Superficial Scratches

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  1. Point the hair dryer at the plexiglass on its coolest setting and blow away any dust or grime that could interfere with the cleaning process. Then, wipe it down with a cloth and a glass cleaner . Microfiber is the best material to use, since it's soft and won't leave any scratches behind. [1]
  2. 2
    Rub whitening toothpaste onto superficial scratches with your finger. If your plexiglass is clouded with very light, superficial scratches, try to remove them by applying toothpaste with whitener. Whitening toothpaste contains tiny abrasives that can smooth out little imperfections in plexiglass. Just squeeze some on your fingertip and rub it onto the scratch for at least 1 minute. [4]
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  3. 3
    Clean the scratch with glass cleaner and check your progress. Spray your preferred glass cleaner on the plexiglass and wipe it with a microfiber cloth. If you can still see the scratch, repeat the process as many times as needed until it disappears. Be patient, as this process can take several minutes! [5]

    Tip: Run your fingernail over the scratch perpendicularly. If your fingernail skates over the scratch, then it's light. If your nail catches on the scratch, it's a moderate scratch. Finally, if most of your fingernail tip fits in the scratch, it's deep.

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Section 2 of 5:

Applying Acrylic Scratch Remover to Light Scratches

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  1. Acrylic scratch removers, such as Novus Fine Scratch Remover #2 or Turtle Wax , help polish your plexiglass and buff out any light scratches on its surface. For just one or two scratches, squeeze a dime-sized amount onto a soft, slightly damp cloth. If you have several scratches you need to remove, use a quarter-sized amount instead. [6]
  2. Move the cloth in small, circular motions to work the scratch remover into the scratch. Evenly coat the scratch as much as you can to fill and blend it in with the rest of the plexiglass. Keep buffing the remover for at least 30 seconds or until it turns clear. [8]
  3. As soon as you're done applying the scratch remover to the plexiglass, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe any excess product off. Work in small circles over the surface of your plexiglass. Once the product is removed, you won't be able to see the scratches anymore. [9]
    • Hold your plexiglass up to a light to see if there are any visible scratches. If any are still there, repeat the steps above until they go away.
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Section 3 of 5:

Sanding Moderate Scratches

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  1. Run a piece of 600-grit sandpaper underneath warm water from the faucet until it's saturated. Shake the excess water off the piece and wring it out so it doesn't drip. Set up your work station near a sink if possible so you can re-wet the sandpaper whenever you need to. [10]
  2. Apply light pressure to the scratches with your wet piece of sandpaper. Work in small, circular movements to buff the surface evenly. Keep sanding the scratched area for at least 1 minute, wetting the sandpaper again anytime it starts to feel dry. [11]
  3. Switch to a dry piece of 600-grit sandpaper and go over the same scratches on your plexiglass. Keep working in small circles until the scratch is buffed completely. After about 30 seconds, switch back to using wet sandpaper. Swap the sandpaper you're using between wet and dry every 30 seconds for the next 2-3 minutes. [12]
    • Switching between wet and dry sandpaper creates more abrasion and helps work through the scratches faster.
  4. Once you've worked with 600-grit sandpaper for a few minutes, switch to 1200-grit to finish smoothing out the plexiglass's surface. Start with a wet piece of sandpaper for 30 seconds and then switch to a dry piece. Keep alternating between wet and dry sandpaper for 2-3 minutes to buff the plexiglass. [13]
  5. The area with the scratches will look cloudy when you're finished buffing it with the sandpaper. Apply a coin-sized amount of acrylic scratch remover onto a clean cloth and work it into the glass in small circular motions. Keep buffing for 30 seconds or until the remover turns clear on your surface. Wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth to remove the scratches. [14]
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Section 4 of 5:

Using a Heat Gun for Deep Scratches

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  1. 1
    Sand the scratches starting with 600-grit paper, then 1200-grit paper. Soak a piece of 600-grit sandpaper in warm water, then sand the scratches for 1 minute. Next, switch to a dry piece of sandpaper and alternate between dry and wet paper every 30 seconds for 2-3 minutes. Finish up the sanding step by swapping the 600-grit sandpaper for 1200-grit, then alternate between wet and dry paper every 30 seconds for another 2-3 minutes. This is only the first step in repairing plexiglass deep scratches that are more like gouges. [15]
  2. Plug in your heat gun and look for the buttons or dial on the side that control the temperature settings. Press the arrow buttons or turn the dial to set it to the lowest heat setting available. [16]
    • Many heat guns will automatically start on the lowest heat setting when they're turned on. It's still a good idea to double-check it before pointing it at hard plastic, so you can avoid accidentally melting it.
  3. Position the plexiglass so you can easily reach the scratch with your heat gun. Keep the heat gun's nozzle at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the plexiglass so you don't accidentally cause it to melt or bubble. When you're ready to start, press the power button to start the machine. [17]
    • Make sure the plexiglass is sitting on a heat-safe surface since the heat gun will make it very warm.

    Warning: Never point the heat gun at another person or anything flammable since it will be very hot!

  4. Keep the heat gun moving over the scratch while you use it so you don't cause the plexiglass to melt or bubble. Use small back-and-forth motions over the entire scratch until it starts to disappear. Try adjusting the angle of the heat gun to hit the scratch from all sides. [18]
    • Depending on how deep the scratch is, you may not be able to close it up completely or make the plexiglass look smooth and uniform again. But sanding and using a heat gun on it can still help the plexiglass look less damaged than before.
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Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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  1. 1
    Does WD-40 really remove scratches from plexiglass? No, WD-40 doesn't work on plexiglass. While some sources say it can hide the scratches temporarily, it's a lubricant and not an abrasive, so it won't get rid of them. It could also damage the plexiglass. [19]
  2. 2
    Can you use baking soda for plexiglass scratch removal? Yes, some people find success removing superficial scratches with a baking soda paste. To make the paste, combine water and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio, then buff the mixture into the scratches with a cotton round or a soft cloth. Rinse the paste off with water periodically to check if the scratches are gone. Keep buffing until they disappear. [20]
  3. 3
    How do you determine the depth of a scratch in plexiglass? Run your fingernail over the scratch. If it just skates across it, it's a light or superficial scratch. If your finger catches on it, it's moderate. If it gets stuck in it, it's a deep gouge.
  4. 4
    Can you make plexiglass clear again? If your plexiglass has only deep or moderate scratches, it's entirely possible to make it look clear again! Use the methods we recommended in this article, like toothpaste, acrylic scratch remover polish, and sandpaper, to get your plexiglass looking clearer than ever.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you clean plexiglass?
    Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann
    House Cleaning Professionals
    Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line.
    Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann
    House Cleaning Professionals
    Expert Answer
    Plexiglass is delicate and very easy to scratch, so you want to remove any particles from the surface first. Use a dry dust microfiber cloth to dust the surface very softly. This specialty cloth attracts dust like a magnet. Then, fold your glass microfiber cloth in 4 and spray glass cleaner directly to the surface. Wipe it down and then remove any marks or streaks with the dry side of your cloth.
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      • Don't lose patience if the scratches in the plexiglass don't disappear after the first time you try to buff or sand them out. Removing scratches in acrylic takes time and effort, so keep applying that elbow grease!
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      Things You'll Need

      Using Toothpaste for Superficial Scratches

      Applying Acrylic Scratch Remover to Light Scratches

      Sanding Moderate Scratches

      Using a Heat Gun for Deep Scratches

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-plexiglass/
      2. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      3. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/KYa3M9BJENo?si=a9aUf8aF7hI5Nu52&t=14
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/KYa3M9BJENo?si=P30gQbacYlqq4T8m&t=38
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/TpZBpwauAUk?si=FckVOn-Suenie7or&t=92
      7. ↑ Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. House Cleaning Professionals. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/TpZBpwauAUk?si=W1t0nynr20i8Qpqf&t=119
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/TpZBpwauAUk?si=v9--WkwLuP83HLyy&t=159
      1. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      2. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      3. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      4. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/TpZBpwauAUk?si=W1t0nynr20i8Qpqf&t=119
      6. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      7. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      8. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      9. ↑ https://canada-plastics.com/acrylic-sheet/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plexiglass-acrylic-sheet/
      10. ↑ https://www.theplasticpeople.co.uk/blog/how-to-clean-acrylic
      11. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-scratches-from-plastic/

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