Most mobile electronic devices have a shell made of either plastic or metal material that is easy to scratch. Here's what you can do to fix the scratches.
The constant use and also the inconvenience that a mobile device undergoes will definitely change its original shine over time. More often than not, a few scratches will be added to the outer shell, which will disappoint you every time you see them.
Apart from aesthetics, scratches also reduce the resale value of your device and do not inspire professionalism if you use your device for business appointments.
On the other hand, no matter how much you take care of your favorite gadget, some handling slip will forever mark your favorite machine. What can you do about it? There is a way to remove or hide scratches, provided of course that they are not deep.
Here's our list of tricks and techniques that might help you deal with them. Some of these should work for both metal and plastic shell.
The truth is that we have not tried the following tricks and therefore we are not sure about them Results their. Try them at your own risk. We simply advise you to do a small test first in an inconspicuous corner of the shell before you intervene in the whole shell.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is an effective product for removing material because it contains small abrasive particles that can "smooth out" shallow scratches.
Its use is suitable for any plastic surface that needs polishing, such as fogged car headlights. And yes, we have tested it on traffic lights and it works. In addition to car headlights, we have tried rubbing with brake fluids and it also works!.
Toothpaste will smooth the surface of your device and reduce the appearance of scratches. However, if the body has a matte finish, it can make the area shiny as if you were sanding it, so be careful.
You can use toothpaste on the plastic or metal shell of your device by following these steps:
- Clean your device with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust.
- Test the toothpaste on a small inconspicuous part of the shell as it may not be good for certain polishes or protective coatings.
- Apply a small pea-shaped amount to the target area.
- Use a soft damp cloth to rub the toothpaste into the scratch with gentle strokesclickmovements.
- Rub until the scratch is gone. Remember to be kind because the excessive pressure can cause more damage.
- Use a clean damp cloth to wipe away the toothpaste.
- Use a slightly damp cloth to remove any traces of toothpaste, then again with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Be careful, toothpaste is not good for screens because the abrasive particles could cause more scratches.
Baking soda and lemon juice
Baking soda is an abrasive that can remove scratches. In fact, if you mix it with a little lemon juice, it becomes more active. Lemon juice has acidic properties that could be helpful in dissolving certain types of surface blemishes.
But be careful! Acid is generally not a suitable material for metals as it can corrode them. For plastics, make a mixture of one part baking soda, one part lemon juice, and one part water. Mix the three ingredients until it forms a fine paste.
For minerals just don't add lemon juice. Follow the steps below after making your paste:
- Clean the area with a damp cloth and test the paste on an inconspicuous area first.
- Use a cotton swab to apply the paste to the scratched area.
- Gently rub the paste in a circular motion on the scratched area using a soft cloth or cotton swab. Be careful to avoid excessive pressure.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Clean it with a clean damp cloth.
- Dry the wet spot with a lint-free cloth.
If you are uncomfortable with lemon juice because of its acidity, you can use just water or find a non-acidic electronic cleaner.
Polishing agent for plastic or metal objects
There are ready-made creams on the market for polishing plastic or metal objects. Search for them with the terms Plastic polish and Metal Polish. These can help you if the body of your device is made of plastic and the scratch is not deep. Follow the steps below:
- Use a damp cloth to first clean the affected area and then dry it.
- Add the cream to the affected area and rub it gently in circular motions with a clean cloth. Keep doing this until the scratch is gone.
- Take a clean microfiber cloth and use it to clean the area.
For large scratches on metal (especially aluminum) shells, you can use metal polish. Effectiveness will vary depending on how deep the scratch is.
In this case do the following:
- Clean the scratched area and gently apply the paste right on the deep scratch.
- Rub as needed until the paste covers the scratch and "fills" it.
- Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
- Use a microfiber cloth to remove any excess cream that is outside the scratch.
You can also use the metal polish on the rest of the shell as well. It has a protective coating that can help prevent scratches in the future.
Magic Eraser – Cleaning Sponges
The well-known sponges (magic eraser) that erase dirt can be used to remove scratches. Since the case does not have a special coating, then you can safely use it on any plastic or metal surface. This micro-abrasive abrasive sponge acts as a kind of sandpaper that can smooth out scratches.
Here's how you should use it:
- Lightly wet a piece of magic eraser. Be careful not to get the sponge too wet.
- Gently rub the scratched surface in a circular motion until the scratch disappears. Do not apply too much pressure.
- Use a clean damp cloth to wipe away the residue.
- Dry the surface with an absorbent microfiber cloth.
Magic Eraser is a great method for shallow scratches, but be careful not to rub too much of your device.
The best treatment is prevention
To keep your machine always looking like new you just need to take care not to scratch it. And thus avoid all the above tips and "treatments".
So make sure you buy one case for your machine to protect it from abuse.
But if you scratch it and none of the above methods work, then the scratch is probably deep enough and the best solution is to simply replace the shell with a new one. Or dress it up with something else.
