In this day and age, touch screens on smartphones are commonplace, so scratches on cellphones are common. Scratches can range from light streaks to cracks on your device, depending on the severity and location of the scratch. While severe scratches are usually treated with a screen replacement, minor and moderate scratches can be removed at home. The trick, you can polish it with toothpaste (if the screen is plastic) or glass polish (if the screen is glass). Once the problem is resolved, we recommend taking preventive measures to prevent the phone from being scratched again.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Toothpaste (for Plastic Screens)
Step 1. Prepare toothpaste
Toothpaste should be readily available in your medicine cabinet and bathroom. Toothpaste can repair plastic scratches because of its abrasive nature. Since it is often readily available at home, toothpaste is always recommended for repairing scratches. You have to make sure that the toothpaste is actually a paste, not a gel. In order to repair a scratch, it must be abrasive. Check the toothpaste packaging if in doubt about the type of toothpaste to use.
The baking soda mixture has the same abrasive qualities as toothpaste. If you prefer baking soda, mix it until it forms a paste and use it the same way
Step 2. Dab toothpaste on the utensil
Since toothpaste is a home remedy, there is no limit to its use. A soft cloth, paper towel, cotton swab, or toothbrush can be used to remove scratches. We recommend using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when applied. More than that, your phone will get dirty.
Step 3. Apply toothpaste to the scratch
After you've patted down the toothpaste, rub it on the screen in a circular motion. Continue until the scratch is no longer visible. Since toothpaste is already abrasive, it's best not to apply too much pressure. Even if the scratch is not completely removed, the abrasion will reduce the scratch.
If there are enough scratches, toothpaste alone won't be enough. However, the scratches on the screen will be reduced a lot
Step 4. Clean the phone
Once the scratches are reduced to your liking, wipe the toothpaste off the phone. Take a soft, slightly damp cloth and wipe the screen of your phone. From there, you should use a polishing cloth to clean the dirt and grease that has accumulated on the phone screen. That way, your screen looks better than before.
Method 2 of 3: Using Glass Polisher (for Glass Screen)
Step 1. Purchase a cerium oxide polish
If your phone has a glass screen, we recommend using a stronger solution than toothpaste or baking soda to remove scratches from your phone. Therefore, it is recommended to use a serium oxide polish. These polishes can be purchased as a water-soluble powder, or as a liquid. While liquid polishes are more practical to use, powder polishes are less expensive.
100 g of cerium oxide powder is enough to polish the phone. You can buy more, who knows the scratches will reappear in the future
Step 2. Mix the powder until it becomes a slurry
If you are buying powdered cerium oxide, the solution must first be prepared. Pour the powder (approximately 50-100 g) into a small container. Slowly pour in the water until it has the same consistency as cream of milk. Stir regularly as you add water to make sure it's the right size.
- The size doesn't have to be perfect, as long as the resulting solution is large enough to wet the polishing swab.
- This step can be omitted if you purchased a liquid polish.
Step 3. Cover the vulnerable points with tape
Cerium oxide polish will damage the phone if it seeps into the holes in the phone, including the speaker, headphone jack, and charging port. In addition, polishes can also damage the camera lens. Thus, protect the vulnerable areas of the area that you want to polish with masking tape.
Covering the phone with masking tape before cleaning may seem like a hassle, but it is highly recommended before proceeding. If something goes wrong, your phone can be protected from damage
Step 4. Apply polish to the scratch area
Dip a soft cloth into the cerium oxide mixture and rub it over the scratched area in firm, circular motions. Check for scratches on your phone regularly when scrubbing. Every 30 seconds, it's a good idea to wipe the solution with a dry part of the cloth, check your work, dab the cloth in a new polish, and repeat the process for maximum effectiveness.
When applying abrasive polish, it's a good idea to rub lightly so that it's more than a swipe, but not so hard that it cracks your phone
Step 5. Perform further cleaning
After you've applied and cleaned the polish, it's best to finish with a polishing cloth. This will remove any debris from the polishing process. Remove the tape and wipe your phone. This process does not take long, and the results will be very satisfying.
We recommend that you clean your phone screen regularly. Do it twice a day to keep your phone screen healthy
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Scratches
Step 1. Buy anti-scratch
Mobile phones are now very susceptible to scratches. Anti-scratch protectors are now widely used, and you should also use them to protect your phone screen. Generally speaking, anti-scratch is inexpensive and much cheaper than replacing the screen or phone if the damage is severe enough. Expensive screen protectors are almost impossible to break, while the somewhat cheap ones can still take the damage done to the phone.
If you choose between anti-scratch plastic and tempered glass, you should buy the tempered glass. This protector has increased durability, clarity and tactile comfort
Step 2. Wipe the phone screen regularly
Minor scratches on the screen may occur if there is excess debris on the phone screen. Wipe the screen with a microfiber or silk cloth several times a day to keep it in the best condition. Wiping the phone screen is especially useful if your phone is touch screen as oil deposits and fingerprints can smudge and cloud the screen.
Cloths, such as sleeves or even dishcloths, can also be used to wipe the screen, although it's best to use a silk or microfiber cloth to treat the screen
Step 3. Keep the phone in a safe place
Often your phone gets scratched while traveling. You should consider the origin and cause of the scratch. Do not store your phone in a pocket that contains keys or coins. If possible, place your phone in a zipped pocket to prevent it from accidentally falling.
Do not place the phone in the back pocket. There is a risk of breaking your phone when you sit down, and according to various reports, can cause nerve damage due to pressure on your back. In addition, there is also the risk of pickpocketing
Tips
- Scratches are a common problem with phones and there are many professionals who make a living fixing this problem. If the scratch on your phone is noticeable or you don't have time to fix it yourself, go to the nearest phone repair shop. Please note, some of these services are quite expensive so you should try to handle them yourself.
- While you can tell the difference between a plastic screen and a glass screen by touching it, you can also tell the type of phone screen by looking at the phone model (either through the internet or in the user manual).
- There is a new type of cell phone called a "self-healing" device. The plastic in this device can repair moderate scratches on its own. If your activities make your phone prone to scratches, you should also consider this type of phone.
