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Does anyone know how to restore the damaged surface of an acrylic mirror?

Lotus

We have an acrylic mirror in our bathroom which is stuck on the wall with sticky pads - we bought and installed it when we moved in as there wasn't one (bare wall above the sink!)

Problem is, I tried to clean it using tissues and now an area of the mirror is lightly scratched and cloudy. Stupid me! Disappointed relieved

I found some acrylic polishing products on Amazon but apparently you are supposed to lightly sand it using fine grade wet and dry sandpaper before applying the polish. I'm confused, as surely sandpaper will scratch it more???

Does anyone have any tips?

Parents

  • Don't panic - light scratches on acrylic are super common and usually fixable without turning it into a sanding nightmare. The sandpaper thing? Yes, it's real, but only if you go ultra-fine (like 1500-2000 grit wet) and super gentle - it's not "more scratches," it's leveling them out first so polish can smooth everything. But honestly? Skip it for now if you're nervous.

    Try this no-sand route first - works for most folks with cloudy tissue marks:

    1. Clean it properly: Warm soapy water (dish soap) on a microfiber cloth, rinse gently - no tissues ever again! Dry with another clean microfiber.
    2. Toothpaste hack: Grab plain white non-gel toothpaste (Colgate or whatever). Dab a bit on a soft cloth, rub in small circles for 2-3 mins - light pressure only. Wipe off with damp cloth. It buffs out haze like magic on shallow stuff. (Loads of watch and headlight people swear by it.)
    3. If that's meh, go Novus #2 (fine scratch remover) - that's the Amazon stuff you saw. Apply with the cloth they give, buff gently. No sand needed for light ones; it fills/polishes directly. Reviews say it knocks out 80-90% of fog without extra steps.

    If it's deeper (nail catches), yeah, tiny wet sand first - but start at 2000 grit soaked, circular motions, rinse tons. Then polish. But yours sounds surface-level, so toothpaste or Novus should do it.

    Test on a corner first. You'll be back to clear in no time - promise. Let me know how it goes!




Reply

  • Don't panic - light scratches on acrylic are super common and usually fixable without turning it into a sanding nightmare. The sandpaper thing? Yes, it's real, but only if you go ultra-fine (like 1500-2000 grit wet) and super gentle - it's not "more scratches," it's leveling them out first so polish can smooth everything. But honestly? Skip it for now if you're nervous.

    Try this no-sand route first - works for most folks with cloudy tissue marks:

    1. Clean it properly: Warm soapy water (dish soap) on a microfiber cloth, rinse gently - no tissues ever again! Dry with another clean microfiber.
    2. Toothpaste hack: Grab plain white non-gel toothpaste (Colgate or whatever). Dab a bit on a soft cloth, rub in small circles for 2-3 mins - light pressure only. Wipe off with damp cloth. It buffs out haze like magic on shallow stuff. (Loads of watch and headlight people swear by it.)
    3. If that's meh, go Novus #2 (fine scratch remover) - that's the Amazon stuff you saw. Apply with the cloth they give, buff gently. No sand needed for light ones; it fills/polishes directly. Reviews say it knocks out 80-90% of fog without extra steps.

    If it's deeper (nail catches), yeah, tiny wet sand first - but start at 2000 grit soaked, circular motions, rinse tons. Then polish. But yours sounds surface-level, so toothpaste or Novus should do it.

    Test on a corner first. You'll be back to clear in no time - promise. Let me know how it goes!




Children