Getting Scratches out of Graded Card Slabs

[premiercardcollectors]

I just wanted to share with everyone a great way to remove scratches (even deep ones) out of graded card slabs.

I got tired of sending slabs to PSA and SGC for reholder for scratches. It was costly and time consuming.

From my car restoration days, I decided I would try a product that we used to clean headlights, lenses and clear plastic. Well it worked.

Just use some PlastX and a microfiber cloth. The deeper scratches take a little elbow grease and patience but this absolutely works for a fraction of the cost.

Amazon sells it.




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[bnorth]

Kinda related, Deepwoods Off works insanely well on cleaning headlights. So good I no longer put it on my skin.

[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Kinda related, Deepwoods Off works insanely well on cleaning headlights. So good I no longer put it on my skin.

And Coca-Cola is so acidic that it will strip tarnish off of metal. LOL


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[BioCRN]

Novus 2 is a great scratch remover for slabs, too.

Pretty much a similar/same thing as far as effectiveness.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Plastx is slightly better IMO. Novus 2 tends to clog in the spout and turn hard.

[BioCRN]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Plastx is slightly better IMO. Novus 2 tends to clog in the spout and turn hard.

Good point. My first bottle of Novus 2 lasted about 2/3rd of a bottle before it dried out to the point it was suspiciously "too thick" after sitting around about a year. It seems it sometimes may not close well or over time the applicator/lid doesn't keep things airtight enough.

The last bottle I got 4 years ago I now keep in a plastic Ziplock bag and it's still operating like it was freshly opened.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

Good point. My first bottle of Novus 2 lasted about 2/3rd of a bottle before it dried out to the point it was suspiciously "too thick" after sitting around about a year. It seems it sometimes may not close well or over time the applicator/lid doesn't keep things airtight enough.

The last bottle I got 4 years ago I now keep in a plastic Ziplock bag and it's still operating like it was freshly opened.

I think I have had my Novus #2 for quite a few years. Still love it. It got a little thick, over time, but works all the same.
.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

Good point. My first bottle of Novus 2 lasted about 2/3rd of a bottle before it dried out to the point it was suspiciously "too thick" after sitting around about a year. It seems it sometimes may not close well or over time the applicator/lid doesn't keep things airtight enough.

The last bottle I got 4 years ago I now keep in a plastic Ziplock bag and it's still operating like it was freshly opened.

I had to constantly clean out the little pour spout with a needle to keep it flowing and even then after a while the liquid thickened. That said it was fine but once I discovered PlastX I switched.

[premiercardcollectors]

Right now I use do the polishing by hand. Has anyone tried a dremel tool with the polishing head or would that create too much heat?


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[JollyElm]

Anyone have (unretouched) BEFORE/AFTER shots to give us an idea of how the scratches are improved/eliminated?

[premiercardcollectors]

Here is one. Super deep scratch (originally thought was cracked). Took about 5 minutes. Several applications and some elbow grease.


Before


After - Gone




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[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Anyone have (unretouched) BEFORE/AFTER shots to give us an idea of how the scratches are improved/eliminated?

See my post


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[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by premiercardcollectors

Here is one. Super deep scratch (originally thought was cracked). Took about 5 minutes. Several applications and some elbow grease.

Thanks for that.
Can you explain what takes place? Does the product 'fill' the scratches and then (after the elbow grease) seamlessly harden and blend in to effectively make the scratches disappear?

[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Thanks for that.
Can you explain what takes place? Does the product 'fill' the scratches and then (after the elbow grease) seamlessly harden and blend in to effectively make the scratches disappear?

It’s a very mild abrasive. It’s like a compound. You take some on a microfiber and work in circular motions with some pressure until the scratch is gone. Sometimes takes multiple passes and repeating the same. Once done just wipes off. It’s designed to remove a very thin layer of material


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[ldrunner27]

Thanks for the tip.

Do we now have to disclose the slab was altered?

[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by ldrunner27

Thanks for the tip.

Do we now have to disclose the slab was altered?

Ha! Never heard of that one


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[raulus]

Originally Posted by ldrunner27

Thanks for the tip.

Do we now have to disclose the slab was altered?

Not if it's just returning it to its original state!

[jbsports33]

Thank you for the tip, that's great!

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by premiercardcollectors

I got tired of sending slabs to PSA and SGC for reholder for scratches.

I'm sure neither PSA nor SGC got tired of it.



Incidentally, did you find that the card's appearance was ever improved by the PlastX?

[steve B]

You know those slabs will only get an "A" when slabbing the slab becomes a thing.
On the plus side, we can have threads about if it's ok to alter slabs and if whatsisnamesplastic polish is ok or not.

[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by steve B

You know those slabs will only get an "A" when slabbing the slab becomes a thing.
On the plus side, we can have threads about if it's ok to alter slabs and if whatsisnamesplastic polish is ok or not.

Can start a slab insurance and repair company.


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[jchcollins]

Yup! PlastX works better than ScratchX, IMO. I have a bottle sitting right here. Can't tell you if I've ever used it on a vehicle, but I've used it on dozens if not more slabs.

[jchcollins]

Yup! PlastX works better than ScratchX, IMO. I have a bottle sitting right here. Can't tell you if I've ever used it on a vehicle, but I've used it on dozens if not more slabs.

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Incidentally, did you find that the card's appearance was ever improved by the PlastX?

So are you using it on a card, or a slab?

[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

So are you using it on a card, or a slab?

Slab only. This is a product to remove scratches from clear plastic.


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[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

I'm sure neither PSA nor SGC got tired of it.



Incidentally, did you find that the card's appearance was ever improved by the PlastX?

It actually does because it makes the slab clearer and cleaner. It’s also good for cleaning grimy slabs.


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[irv]

Originally Posted by premiercardcollectors

Here is one. Super deep scratch (originally thought was cracked). Took about 5 minutes. Several applications and some elbow grease.

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Worth a shot on this card I guess after reading about yours.
I don't believe I ever attempted trying as I assumed the scratch was too dip, like easily catching your fingernail deep.

[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by irv

Worth a shot on this card I guess after reading about yours.
I don't believe I ever attempted trying as I assumed the scratch was too dip, like easily catching your fingernail deep.

Use a thick microfiber cloth and don’t be afraid to apply some pressure in circular motion. You can remove it. Will take a few applications.


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[irv]

Originally Posted by premiercardcollectors

Use a thick microfiber cloth and don’t be afraid to apply some pressure in circular motion. You can remove it. Will take a few applications.


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Thanks.
Curious, did you have to do the rest of the slab front once you got the scratch out to blend it or did just concentrate on the scratch area only?

[premiercardcollectors]

Originally Posted by irv

Thanks.
Curious, did you have to do the rest of the slab front once you got the scratch out to blend it or did just concentrate on the scratch area only?

Good idea to do a pass on the rest of the slab front to be consistent. You will find it really improves the clarity of the area you did so by going over the rest with a single pass improves that for the rest of the slab.


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[irv]

Originally Posted by premiercardcollectors

Good idea to do a pass on the rest of the slab front to be consistent. You will find it really improves the clarity of the area you did so by going over the rest with a single pass improves that for the rest of the slab.


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Thanks.