Polishing scratches off of slabs

mr1931S · March 17, 2015 2:52AM

Is there anything available to polish scratches and not-to-deep gouges off of PCGS slabs?

I would be looking for results that make the slab look "good as new."

BustCuds · March 17, 2015 3:03AM

PlastX and a soft cloth works well.

PerryHall · March 17, 2015 3:10AM

Brasso works well. The label even says that it can be used to remove scratches from acrylic watch crystals.

JeffMTampa · March 17, 2015 5:02AM

I use a 3 step plastic auto headlight restorer solution purchased at an auto supply store. It takes a little "elbow grease" but works great!

By the way, does anyone know where to purchase elbow grease?

Barbercoin · March 17, 2015 6:24AM

I wondered about possibly removing those scratches.

Brasso, huh? A flashback from my old Army days. I'll give it a try!

LindeDad · March 17, 2015 6:26AM

Got the drill at Lowes and it supplies the elbow grease.

okiedude · March 17, 2015 6:41AM

Black & Decker Elbow Grease!

DollarAfterDollar · March 17, 2015 6:45AM

Headlight polishes do good work. Just don't get carried away creating heat. Plastic melts with too much speed.

Been there.

mr1931S · March 17, 2015 9:57AM

Got ahold of some of the recommended PLASTX at the Walmart.I've got a chip in the plastic right in the center of the coin.It's deep enough to cause a shadow to be cast onto the coin. My Dremel is being put to work to do the actual buffing work.The goal is to completely eliminate this shadow.

Goldbully · March 17, 2015 10:10AM

eBay Link

Works great!

edited to add: Appears to have gone up in price from when I bought my jar.

PerryHall · March 17, 2015 10:32AM

Whatever you do, don't use acetone to clean your slabs.

JazzmanJAB · March 17, 2015 11:06AM

I have used Slab-Renew. It works great.

lkeigwin · March 17, 2015 1:39PM

PlastX is the best I've found. Tried Novus. Slab-Renew is nothing more than Novus repackaged at a higher price.
Lance.

bigjpst · March 17, 2015 1:51PM

<< <i>Got ahold of some of the recommended PLASTX at the Walmart.I've got a chip in the plastic right in the center of the coin.It's deep enough to cause a shadow to be cast onto the coin. My Dremel is being put to work to do the actual buffing work.The goal is to completely eliminate this shadow. >>

Be careful with the Dremel. If you are not careful you can do more damage with the little polishing bits. I like the 3 step headlight renew kits. Had a slab not too long ago that was melted(probably from acetone) and you could barely see the coin. Sanded and polished by hand and the slab was crystal clear.

OldIndianNutKase · March 17, 2015 2:36PM

<< <i>

eBay Link

Works great!

edited to add: Appears to have gone up in price from when I bought my jar. >>

Thanks GB,

I just ordered a bottle off your eBay link.

OINK

astrorat · March 17, 2015 8:28PM

From the car detailing box ...

Meguiar's #10 Clear Plastic Polish
Meguiar's #17 Clear Plastic Cleaner

Both work well. #17 is more aggressive and #10 is for light scratches or just to provide a bit of a gloss.

Meguiar's PlastX works well and is easier to find and less expensive.

Hand cleaning and polishing with a soft cloth works well. I have not been brave enough to try mechanical assistance with a Dremel or drill.

LindeDad · March 17, 2015 11:43PM

Using the drill the key is keep it wet and slow, just a little at a time so you never build up heat which softens the plastic. Have polished several hundred slabs and never damaged any.
I never used my Dremel as I felt the speed was too high. Mine was one of the older ones without a speed control.

ricko · March 17, 2015 11:52PM

Cheers, RickO

Stuart · March 17, 2015 11:55PM

<< Meguiar's PlastX works well and is easier to find and less expensive. >>

Thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions on removing scratches from Coin Slabs. -- I plan to purchase some Meguiar's PlastX and give it a try on this and other scratched slabs...

ms70 · March 18, 2015 12:08AM

PlastX. Rub rub rub.

BryceM · March 18, 2015 12:58AM

I'd recommend buying some cheap modern slabbed widgets to practice on if you're going to use a Dremel. One trick with the plastX that I've used is to heat up the slab (just a little) under some Halogens before going to work on it. I discovered this by accident when doing photos. It seems to go a little faster than when working on cold plastic.

For very deep gouges, there's nothing wrong with starting with a very fine sandpaper. The slab will be completely opaque after this step, but you can start with some rough grit and finish up with a light grit & fine polish. It isn't hard to get it perfectly clear again. It sure beats the trouble of the shipping, re-slab, shipping, re-sticker, shipping dance.

deefree49 · February 7, 2016 7:30AM

actually was doing some polishing today with SLAB-RENEW. It works very well on PCGS holders.

WildIdea · February 7, 2016 8:03AM

My buddies and I have been using our rotary machine silver jewelry polish wheels on them. Mirrors then out in a few seconds.

BAJJERFAN · February 7, 2016 9:55AM

Originally posted by: ms70

PlastX. Rub rub rub.

Rubba dub dub

There aint no sub

stitute!

XOX · February 28, 2025 12:13PM

Where can I get Slab Renew? I used to get it on Ebay.

BigAl · February 28, 2025 8:55PM

Scratch Away. Pushkin sold it on these boards, but it’s been a while since he’s logged in. Not sure if the retail stuff is formulated the same but worth a shot
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/2106185#Comment_2106185

Manifest_Destiny · March 1, 2025 2:03AM

Try Reholder. Not only does it remove scratches, it also rejuvenates faded inserts! Reholder is is used by all the major dealers to remove unsightly scratches, chips, and cracks. Don't settle for off brand solutions that only remove scratches. Ask for the best, ask for Reholder! It's your all in one solution for any slab problem!

Polishing scratches off of slabs

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