Best way of removing fine scratches and scuffs from consoles

slikvik · 23 Feb 2019 at 17:04

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.

LewisRaz · 23 Feb 2019 at 17:11

I use regular polish and elbow grease and finish off with WD40. Usually gives a nice fresh finish to the consoles. Does work much better on black ones tho.

Ninco! · 23 Feb 2019 at 19:07

I used Jif/Cif for my Dell's and they came up really well.

WD-40 is a new one on me? I would personally not use as it would leave a residue/greasy finish. Happy to be proved wrong though.

I have sparingly used Autoglym resin car polish when restoring retro/vintage toys, polishes out scratches brilliantly.

slikvik · 23 Feb 2019 at 19:37

Yeah, we use WD40 on our black uPVC door and it comes up a treat.

Mr Plow · 24 Feb 2019 at 00:38

You can try a Magic Eraser, tends to work well on scratches but you need to be careful around anything thats printed on the case as it'll take it right off. Adam Koralik has posted a bunch of retro console cleaning videos on his YouTube channel.

slikvik · 24 Feb 2019 at 10:00

So apparently Plast-RX from Halfords is also good. Will add it to the list.

Slurm · 24 Feb 2019 at 11:02

I like using a Magic Eraser dipped in IPA for scuffs, you get a pack of them pretty cheap, but as mentioned above you need to be careful, especially on textured plastic/printed text.

Also for cleaning, Amberclens foam cleaner is great, and for a nice polished finish I find "Back to Black" works really well, it's mostly used on car plastic trims, bumpers etc. It gives the consoles that "new" look and feel.

You can get them all on the rainforest (I don't know if not naming that site is still a thing here).