General Category > General Discussion
Cleaning? How Do You Do?
TrueMetis:
I have a question about fixing scratches out of plastic. Years ago I bought an N64 and controllers from the local rental place when it got rid of the one they where using for rentals. Aside form the sticker they decided to scratch their address into the plastic of the controllers and the console. The scratches are pretty deep so I plan to sand the scratches out and then apply an automotive plastic polish. I may need more than one type of polish because the controllers are semi-translucent while the console is not. Does anyone have any tips or perhaps a better way? Or knows whether or not this will make things worse? Cause that would be something I would want to know before I go through with it.
scarmullet:
Use a rough grit sandpaper.
Dravenae:
--- Quote from: TrueMetis on June 16, 2013, 04:22:22 PM ---I have a question about fixing scratches out of plastic. Years ago I bought an N64 and controllers from the local rental place when it got rid of the one they where using for rentals. Aside form the sticker they decided to scratch their address into the plastic of the controllers and the console. The scratches are pretty deep so I plan to sand the scratches out and then apply an automotive plastic polish. I may need more than one type of polish because the controllers are semi-translucent while the console is not. Does anyone have any tips or perhaps a better way? Or knows whether or not this will make things worse? Cause that would be something I would want to know before I go through with it.
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Try Mr Clean Magic Eraser. It should get rid of any scuffs. Make sure to wet the eraser before hand, not soaking, just moist.
autobot:
--- Quote from: TrueMetis on June 16, 2013, 04:22:22 PM ---...they decided to scratch their address into the plastic of the controllers and the console. The scratches are pretty deep...
--- End quote ---
Using a Magic Eraser will smooth out the texture on the plastic before you get rid of the scratches/etches, because I'm willing to bet that the scratched/etched address is deeper than the texture on the plastic.
If the scratches are deep enough that you feel your fingernail catch, you might want to just replace the shell, or see this as a chance to do a custom paint job.
wiggy:
^^^ this.
Option 2: sand the controllers down through the scratches. Then sand blast the part with 60-100 grit sand on a pretty low presure (less than 30psi). This will do a pretty decent job of resorting the original textured finish, but obviously requires some equipment to do so.