How to remove scratches from stainless steel watch toothpaste

Q: Does toothpaste get rid of scratches?

Yes, toothpaste can remove minor paint scratches. Heres how it works. A standard toothpaste (not a gel toothpaste) has a minor grit to it which helps buff out the scratches. Typically, minor scratches are only on the clear coat over your actual paint.

The scratches on my glasses and mobile phone screen were driving me crazy. I wanted to replace them both, but who can afford new sunglasses or mobile phone whenever they want?

On the radio last week I heard about someone using toothpaste to remove the scratches from their glasses. I was a bit sceptical, but I tried it on my sunglasses and it worked! I then started doing a bit more research to work out why toothpaste is good at removing scratches. Happy with what I found, I tried toothpaste on my mobile phone and it removed all the small scratches. I’m sold; toothpaste is the miracle scratch remover that works on everything from glasses to cars!

So, how does it work? I did some further research and here’s what I found out:

How it Works

Paste-based toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive that levels out the scratch, removing it or making it less noticeable. It’s important, however, to proceed with caution: Use the wrong technique, and you could dull the finish or create more scratches, worsening the problem.

Not all toothpastes are the same and only gentle toothpastes should be used on sensitive surfaces such as glasses or a mobile phone screen. For obvious reasons, we recommend using white toothpaste only.

How abrasiveness is measured

Abrasiveness is measured by RDA (Radioactive Dentin Abrasiveness) and anything below 70-80 is considered to be low, or non-abrasive. The easy way to choose a non-abrasive toothpaste is just to avoid advanced products such as whitening, plaque removal or toothpastes designed for sensitive teeth.

Some suitable toothpaste products to try include Arm & Hammer Dental Care Sensitive (48 RDA), Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel (45 RDA), Colgate 2-in-1 Fresh Mint (70 RDA), Colgate Total (70 RDA) and Colgate Regular (68 RDA). Abrasive toothpastes you should avoid include Colgate Sensitive Max Strength( 83 RDA) and Sensodyne (79 RDA).

Whenever you use toothpaste to remove a scratch we suggest trying it in a small area to ensure it doesn’t damage the surface. Also, make sure not to be aggressive when rubbing the surface. Rubbing nice and gently should do the trick.

Here are our top tips for scratch removal with toothpaste:

Scratched Phone Screen

What you need:

soft cloth
paper towel
cotton swab or toothbrush
Non-abrasive toothpaste

The Process

Apply a little toothpaste to an applicator (cloth or cotton swab)
Using a soft cloth and a circular motion, apply and rub toothpaste into the scratched area of the mobile phone screen. Be patient and don’t exert too much pressure.
Clean the screen with a clean cloth and you should be good to go!

Scratched Watch Face

What you need:

Micro-fibre cloth
Paste-based (not gel) toothpaste

The Process

Inspect the watch under bright light to locate the scratches.
Cover the bezel of the watch with narrow masking tape to avoid damage
Squeeze a little bit of toothpaste onto the watch face. Use your finger to rub it into rub it into the scratch
Wait a few minutes then polish the watch face with a clean cloth using a circular motion.

Car Scratches

What you need:

Paste-based (not gel) toothpaste

NB: This method actually cleans the scratch rather than removing it. You’ll notice most car scratches aren’t actually that bad – it’s just that the dirt penetrates into the scratch making it more obvious to the eye.

The Process

Apply the toothpaste to the cloth. You should only need to apply a little.
Rub lightly evenly along the scratch and then the polish with a circular motion.

You’ll find that

Tiny and shallow scratches are pretty easy to clean.
Bigger scratches need more pressure applied and take more time to clean. Take your time.
Badly rusted scratches will also take more pressure and require more time.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Source: How To: Remove Scratches from Stainless Steel

What you need:

Micro-fibre cloth
Toothbrush
Paste-based (not gel) toothpaste

The Process

Apply a small amount of the scratch remover compound to a microfiber cloth and then very gently rub it back and forth over the scratch, working in the direction of the metal’s grain. Continue until the scratch buffs out.
Gently wipe the surface with a fresh, barely damp microfiber cloth to remove any compound residue. Dry with another fresh microfiber cloth. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 if needed to completely remove scratches from stainless steel surfaces.

Eye Glasses

Source: Fixing Scratched Lenses on your Glasses And How to Remove Scratches from Glasses with Just 1 Ingredient

What you need:

Non-abrasive toothpaste
Damp micro-fibre cloth

The Process

Use a clean microfibre cloth to remove any dust particles from the surface of the lenses.

Dab a bit of toothpaste on the lenses. Just a small amount will do the trick.
Rub it on the scratches using circular motions for 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the toothpaste from the lenses using a microfiber cloth.
You can also rinse the lenses with cold water and wipe them dry.

If you need help with home cleaning services, contact Electrodry today. Our qualified technicians have both the skill and expertise to make your home shine.

Does toothpaste remove stainless steel scratches?

Apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush, and work the solution back and forth over the scratch following the grain. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the toothpaste and see if the scratch is gone. Repeat the process until satisfied and apply a light coat of stainless steel polish or olive oil.

How do you remove scratches from a stainless steel watch?

Brushed Stainless Steel.

To remove fine scratches, use a jewelers cloth. ... .

For scratches over a small area, use a fiber-glass brush (e.g. the German-made Eurotool sold by watch-tool suppliers). ... .

For scratches over a large area, use a Styrofoam block made for polishing finger nails (sold in beauty supply store)..

Does toothpaste get rid of scratches?

Yes, toothpaste can remove minor paint scratches. Here's how it works. A standard toothpaste (not a gel toothpaste) has a minor grit to it which helps buff out the scratches. Typically, minor scratches are only on the clear coat over your actual paint.

Is toothpaste safe on stainless steel?

From faucets and kitchen sinks, to refrigerator doors and coffee machines; if it's a stainless steel surface, toothpaste should be the cleaner!

Can you fix a scratch on a stainless steel watch?

There are, in fact, multiple methods for removing scratches from a watch's polished surfaces, but a jeweler's cloth is a good option. It has powder on one side which fills the scratches, while the other side keeps your hand clean and is later used to give the surface a final cleaning.