Best way of removing fine scratches and scuffs from consoles

[itsamemario]

Anyone know what the best way of making a console look like brand new is? Obviously you can retrobright it to get rid of yellowing and WD40 will polish up the case nicely but I'm look for a way of removing the really fine scratches that show the consoles age? I've heard that using a cream cleaner like cif/jif works as it has micro-particles so acts as a very light abrasive.

 

[kuwanger]

Depends on the surface I imagine, but the 8-bit guy has demonstrated using a paste of baking soda. It seemed for me to get rid of more grimy areas and smooth out some scratches, but I don't know how well it'd work on glossy surfaces or if the scratches are especially fine. But, like you say, a mild abrasive might be the key. Another possible idea is toothpaste--it includes silica for a similar reason.

Like anything, of course, it's best to test it out on stuff you're not as worried about damaging, trying on areas you're less worried being shown, etc. Good luck.

 

[tbb043]

do NOT use magic eraser. the magic is that is literally "sands" off a fine layer of the case, ruining it if it had any texture at all, and even if smooth it still winds up with weird smooth places that no longer match.

 

[dcuk7]

I use PlastX on the SEGA consoles I repair. Makes Mega Drives look like new! Little bit on a microfibre cloth rubbed in circular motions does the trick for me. Obviously won't help on deep scratches but I would rather have those scratches than removing layers of the plastic with an abrasive cleaner.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I use PlastX on the SEGA consoles I repair. Makes Mega Drives look like new! Little bit on a microfibre cloth rubbed in circular motions does the trick for me. Obviously won't help on deep scratches but I would rather have those scratches than removing layers of the plastic with an abrasive cleaner.

I have heard that should work, it can also be used on lightly scratched screens. It fills in the gaps rather than sanding anything away, however it will likely wear off and need to be reapplied every so often.
BTW, in Europe it's called Plast-Rx.

 

[itsamemario]

I use PlastX on the SEGA consoles I repair. Makes Mega Drives look like new! Little bit on a microfibre cloth rubbed in circular motions does the trick for me. Obviously won't help on deep scratches but I would rather have those scratches than removing layers of the plastic with an abrasive cleaner.

I'll add that to the list of ones to try on a test console!

 

[dcuk7]

If you do, try not to rub it into the logos too much, it can fade them out with prolonged exposure. As Jdbye says, they have renamed it to Plast-Rx. It's the same solution though.