How to Remove Scratches and Restore Plexiglass

Plexiglass, also known as acrylic glass, is a versatile transparent plastic material used for applications ranging from furniture to automobile parts. However, one downside of plexiglass is that it's prone to scratching, which can distort visibility and make surfaces appear dull. Thankfully, there are methods for removing scratches from plexiglass to restore optical clarity and shine.

With a little time and effort, you can give scratched plexiglass a makeover without needing a full replacement.

Understanding Plexiglass Scratches

Before diving into scratch removal, it helps to understand what causes plexiglass scratches in the first place. Plexiglass is softer and more malleable than glass, meaning it's more vulnerable to surface damage from cleaning, usage, and accidents.

Defining Plexiglass and How Scratches Occur

Plexiglass, often used interchangeably with terms like acrylic glass, perspex, and acrylic sheeting, refers to a transparent thermoplastic. It's valued for optical clarity while being resilient, lightweight, and shatter-resistant compared to glass. Still, the soft surface means small scratches develop easily.

Day-to-day cleaning with abrasive products or scouring pads create fine surface scratches. Dragging hard objects across the surface also mars the smooth finish. Even dust buildup getting ground into the plexiglass causes hairline blemishes. The end result? Dingy, hazy plexiglass that appears permanently damaged.

Different Types of Scratches

Not all plexiglass scratches are equal when it comes to removal difficulty. Light surface scratches are easier to smooth away than deeper grooves penetrating multiple plastic layers.

Surface Scratches: Fine swirl marks, spiderwebs, scuffs, and shallow scratches that don't catch a fingernail.

Deeper Scratches: Scratches that catch and grab fingernails indicate deeper damage. The plastic is gouged deeper, often appearing white inside scratch grooves.

Impact of Scratches: Distorted Visibility

Why put in the effort of scratch removal? Visibility. As scratches accumulate, light scatters instead of passing straight through. The more scratches, the more distorted and opaque plexiglass appears. By smoothing away scratch damage, clarity and function are restored.

Cleaning and Preparing the Plexiglass

Before using specialty scratch removers, it's vital to clean the plexiglass surface thoroughly. Lingering dirt and debris can interfere with scratch repair processes and even create new fine swirl marks if ground into the surface.

Gathering Necessary Scratch Removal Supplies

To pre-clean plexiglass before scratch removal, gather:

• Distilled white vinegar or glass cleaner (avoid chemical cleaners)
• Clean microfiber cloths
• Soft plastic scouring pad or sponge
• Rubbing alcohol
• Dry microfiber towel

Cleaning Dirt, Debris and Dust from Surface

Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist plexiglass and use a plastic scouring pad to gently rub the surface--avoid abrasive pressure. Rinse residue, mist more solution, then wipe clean using a microfiber cloth. Follow by spraying rubbing alcohol to remove streaks and traces of dirt. Let dry fully with a microfiber towel before assessing scratches.

Once squeaky clean, scrutinize scratches under an LED flashlight held at an angle. Determine severity--surface only or deeper gouges? This guides appropriate scratch removal methods.

Manual Sanding Methods

Light sanding smooths away fine surface scratches on plexiglass. But take care--too much sanding pressure causes deeper swirling. Work through grits gradually, regularly checking progress to avoid over-sanding.

Lightly Sanding Scratches with Fine Grit Paper

For supplies, gather:

• 400, 600, 800, 1000, and 2000+ grit sandpaper
• Dual action orbital sander (optional)
• Distilled water or plastic polish
• Clean microfiber cloths

Begin sanding with 600+ grit paper using gentle pressure and frequent distilled water application. The water lubricates, preventing heat buildup while capturing removed plastic swarf. Check after 30 seconds--improvement visible yet? Continue lightly sanding up to 2000+ grit until scratches disappear. Remember, patience prevents over-sanding.

Cleaning Sanding Debris and Checking if Scratches Persisting

Wipe away sanding residue between paper changes using damp microfiber cloths. Scrutinize scratch visibility at angles under an LED flashlight. Sand again in 30-second increments with higher grits if scratches remain visible. When smoothed, move onto polishing compounds to restore surface gloss.

Using Compounds to Polish Out Scratches

Polishing compounds chemically melt micro-layers of plexiglass to fill scratches rather than removing material. Use moderate pressure and keep the surface wet while polishing to prevent haze and new swirls.

Polishing Deep Set Scratches

Supplies needed:

• Plastic polishing compound or acrylic scratch remover
• Microfiber cloths
• Electric buffer or random orbital polisher (optional)

Apply polishing compound to a clean microfiber cloth. Rub into deep set scratches using small circular motions. The chemicals soften and reflow the plastic, smoothing defects level with the surrounding surface. Remove residues with a clean dry cloth once scratches disappear. Reapply compound to stubborn spots but avoid over-polishing the same area to prevent distortion.

Rubbing Compound into Scratches in Circular Motion

Alternatively, use a random orbital polisher on low speed for hands-free removal of deeper scratches. Apply compound and polish out damage using overlapping circles to evenly abrade the plastic surface without localized overheating.

Check for clarity in angled light once polishing finishes. Repeat steps if haze or faint scratches remain. Remove all residue before protecting plexiglass from re-scratching.

Removing Residue and Checking if Scratches Removed

Use clean microfiber cloths dampened with distilled water to remove polishing compound traces after buffing out scratches. Wipe gently to dissolve and capture all remaining residue without introducing new swirls.

Carefully check for scratch visibility at angles under bright light. Reflections should appear smooth and clear without any light scattering from blemishes. Repeat polishing focusing on stubborn areas if necessary. Apply plastic protectant spray once plexiglass achieves visual perfection to shield against new daily wear scratches.

It's possible to remove scratches from plexiglass with proper products and methods. Just remember--patience prevents problems during sanding and polishing. Work through fine grits gradually assessing improvements often to avoid overdoing it. Scrupulous cleaning between steps also locks in clarity. Follow these best practices, and you can restore pesky scratched plexiglass to crystal clear optical perfection again minus the cost of replacement.