Scratches on a laptop are a problem that every second equipment owner faces. They ruin the appearance, reduce resale value, and sometimes even interfere with performance (especially on the screen). But don’t rush to take the device to a service center: 90% of defects can be eliminated yourself with minimal costs.

In this article we will look at all types of scratches — from small abrasions on the plastic case to deep grooves on the aluminum cover MacBook or matte screen Dell XPS. You will learn which products are safe for polycarbonate (polycarbonate), and which ones will destroy the anodized coating, how to polish correctly without the risk of damaging the display, and why Regular toothpaste may do more harm than good.

Spoiler: for 70% of cases, available products from a hardware store will suffice, and for the rest, inexpensive professional compounds (you will find a list of them with prices in the table below). Let's start with diagnostics!

1. Determine the type of scratch: what can be removed and what can only be masked

Before you grab the polish, assess the depth and location of the damage. The choice of method depends on this:

  • 🔍 Micro abrasions (barely noticeable, do not cling with a fingernail) - can be eliminated by polishing or wax pencils.
  • 📏 Surface scratches (felt with a fingernail, but not through) - require abrasive treatment or filling with a special compound.
  • 🚨 Deep furrows (through, visible to light) - cannot be completely removed, only masked or replaced.

Critical moment: body material. For example, aluminum MacBook Air polishes differently than matte plastic Lenovo ThinkPad. Using inappropriate products may result in:

  • ⚠️ Loss of anodized coating (a dull spot will appear on the metal).
  • ⚠️ Corrosion of plastic (acetone or alcohol destroys ABS-plastic).
  • ⚠️ Screen dimming (abrasives leave micro-scratches on the glossy matrix).
📊 Where do your laptop get scratches most often?
  • On the lid
  • Around the touchpad
  • On the keyboard
  • On the screen
  • Another option

How to check the case material? Look at the bottom cover - usually the brand of plastic is indicated there (for example, PC+ABS) or metal (for example, Aluminum Series 6000). If there is no inscription, use the table:

Material Example models Safe means Prohibited means
Anodized aluminum MacBook Pro/Air, HP Spectre, Dell XPS Metal polish, wax crayons Abrasive pastes, vinegar, soda solution
Polycarbonate (PC) Lenovo Legion, ASUS ROG Toothpaste (without whitening granules), plastic polish Acetone, solvents, rough brushes
Matte plastic (ABS) Acer Swift, HMS MateBook Special pencils for matte surfaces Alcohol, liquids with ammonia
Screen glass All models with glossy matrix Glass polish, microfiber Abrasives, paper towels
⚠️ Attention: If the scratch on the screen is located above the matrix (visible when the device is turned on), don't try to polish it - this will damage the polarization layer. In this case, only replacing the display module will help.

2. How to remove scratches from a plastic laptop case

Plastic is the most forgiving material: even improvised means are acceptable here. Main rule: start with the gentlest method and move on to more aggressive ones only if the result is unsatisfactory.

Method 1: Toothpaste (for smooth plastic only!)

Suitable for Lenovo IdeaPad, HP Pavilion and other models with a glossy body. Important: the paste must be without bleaching granules And not gel (For example, Colgate Regular or Splat Whitening).

Apply the paste to the microfiber|Buff the scratch in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes|Remove any residue with a damp cloth|Repeat after 24 hours if necessary-->

Why does this work? Fine abrasives in the paste smooth out the edges of the scratch, and fluoride brightens the abrasions. However, for matte plastic (for example, Dell Latitude) the method is not suitable - stains will remain.

Method 2: Plastic polish (professional approach)

For deep scratches, use specialized products:

  • 🛡️ Displex — restores transparent plastic coatings (suitable for keys).
  • 🔧 3M PlastX — removes scratches up to 0.5 mm deep on glossy surfaces.
  • 🎨 Turtle Wax - a budget option for scuffs.

How to apply: Shake the bottle, apply 2-3 drops onto a microfiber cloth, polish with straight-line movements (not in a circle!). To consolidate the result after polishing, apply protective wax (For example, Collinite 845).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use car polishes - they contain silicones, which turn yellow over time and attract dust.
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To test the product, apply it to an inconspicuous area (for example, the bottom lid) and check the reaction after 10 minutes.

3. Removing scratches from a metal case (MacBook, HP Specter, Dell XPS)

Aluminum and magnesium alloys require a special approach. Main danger: loss of anodized coating, after which the metal begins to oxidize (dark spots appear).

Method 1: Wax pencil (for fine scratches)

Ideal for MacBook with scratches up to 0.3 mm. Examples of pencils:

  • 🖍️ Apple Polish — official tool for Apple equipment (price ~1500 rubles).
  • 🖍️ ShinEtsu — Japanese wax for electronics (suitable for Surface Pro).
  • 🖍️ Turtle Wax — budget alternative (~300 rubles).

Application technology:

  1. Clean the surface with an alcohol wipe (at least 70% isopropyl alcohol).
  2. Apply wax along the scratch, and not across.
  3. Polish with a dry microfiber cloth after 5 minutes.

Method 2: Polishing the metal (for deep scratches)

For scratches 0.5–1 mm deep, use:

  • 🔩 3M Metal Polish — restores the shine of anodized aluminum.
  • 🔩 Autosol - suitable for HP EliteBook with magnesium body.

Important: Polish only manually — the grinder will overheat the metal and deform the body. Use cotton fabric (not microfiber!) to avoid additional micro-abrasions.

What to do if the scratch is through?

Through damage (metal is visible) cannot be eliminated by polishing. Optimal solutions:

1. Vinyl sticker (For example, D-Brand) - masks the defect and protects against corrosion.

2. Anodizing at the service center (cost ~3000–5000 rubles).

3. Replacing the cover (relevant for MacBook Retina, where the body is non-separable).

4. Scratches on a laptop screen: what can be done and what cannot be done

The screen is the most vulnerable part. 95% of the methods recommended on the Internet lead to a worsening situation. For example, polishing the screen with toothpaste leaves micro-scratches that make the image cloudy over time.

What you can do yourself:

  • 📱 Apply protective film (For example, Spigen Tempered Glass) - will hide minor scratches and prevent new ones.
  • 🧴 Use glass polish (For example, Invisible Glass) - removes abrasions from glossy screens.
  • 🖥️ Calibrate colors — if a scratch interferes with perception, increase the contrast in the settings (Control Panel → Display → Color Calibration).

What you should not do under any circumstances:

  • ❌ Polish with abrasives (even “soft” ones like soda).
  • ❌ Use products for car glass (they contain ammonia).
  • ❌ Pressing on the screen when cleaning - this may damage the matrix.

For matte screens (For example, Dell Precision or ThinkPad P-Series) the only safe way is matrix replacement. The matte finish is applied at the factory and cannot be restored at home.

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If a scratch on the screen is visible only when the laptop is turned off, you can ignore it. If it interferes with work, contact the service to estimate the cost of glass replacement (from 2,000 rubles for budget models to 20,000 rubles for MacBook Pro 16").

5. Scratches on the keyboard: how to return it to its original appearance

The keys wear out the fastest: letters are erased and scuffs appear. To restore use:

  • 🔤 Set of stickers (For example, KeyCover) - suitable for ASUS ROG or MSI with backlight.
  • 🎨 Paint for plastic (For example, Molotow Plastic Paint) — restores erased characters.
  • 🧽 Ultrasonic cleaning — removes dirt that visually resembles scratches.

Step-by-step instructions for painting keys:

  1. Remove the key with a plastic spatula (for example, from a set iFixit).
  2. Clean with alcohol and degrease (WD-40 Specialist).
  3. Apply paint in 2 layers with an interval of 15 minutes.
  4. Fix with varnish (Mr. Super Clear).

⚠️ Attention: Do not paint the keys without removing them from the laptop - the paint will get into the mechanism and block pressing.

6. Prevention: how to protect your laptop from new scratches

The best way to deal with scratches is prevent them from appearing. Here are proven methods:

  • 🛡️ Sleeve cover (For example, Thule Gauntlet) - protects against impacts and abrasions during transportation.
  • 🖥️ Protective film on the case (For example, D-Brand) - prevents paint abrasion.
  • 🧴 Regular waxing (once every 3 months) - creates a protective layer.
  • 🚫 Avoid contact with keys/coins — 80% of scratches come from metal objects in the bag.

For screens:

  • Use safety glass with oleophobic coating (for example, Belkin TrueClear).
  • Clean only microfiber, soaked in distilled water (not alcohol!).

For keyboard:

  • Clean your keys weekly compressor (For example, Xiaomi Air Duster).
  • Use silicone pad when working in dusty conditions.

7. When to contact the service: prices and risks

Not all scratches can be removed at home. Contact a professional if:

  • 🔧 The scratch is through (metal or internal parts are visible).
  • 💻 The screen is damaged and the scratch interferes with operation (for example, on the matrix OLED).
  • 🎨 Case with factory coating (for example, ceramic shield on Huawei MateBook).

Cost of repairs in Moscow services (2026):

Type of repair Budget laptops Premium segment MacBook
Case polishing 800–1500 rub. 1500–3000 rub. 3000–6000 rub.
Replacing screen glass 2000–4000 rub. 5000–10,000 rub. 10,000–20,000 rub.
Anodizing restoration No (replacement only) 4000–7000 rub. RUB 8,000–15,000
Complete cover replacement 3000–6000 rub. RUB 8,000–15,000 20,000–40,000 rub.

How to choose a service?

  • 🔍 Check reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS (pay attention to the “before/after” photo).
  • 📋 Ask about the work guarantee (minimum 3 months).
  • 💰 Compare prices: if the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the price of the laptop, it is more profitable to buy a new cover at AliExpress and replace it yourself.

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In official services (for example, Apple Store or HP Support) repairs will cost 30–50% more, but you will receive a warranty on the parts. Unofficial workshops often use used spare parts - check this in advance.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about scratches on laptops

Is it possible to remove scratches from the touchpad?

Touchpads on most laptops (except MacBook with glass surface) covered with matte plastic. It is impossible to completely remove scratches, but you can disguise them:

  • Use pencil for matte plastic (For example, Turtle Wax).
  • Paste protective film (For example, Spigen).

For MacBook with a glass touchpad, glass polish is suitable (Invisible Glass).

Will WD-40 help with scratches?

No! WD-40 - This is a penetrating lubricant, not a polish. She:

  • Dissolves some types of plastic (e.g. ABS).
  • Leaves greasy stains that attract dust.
  • Does not have abrasive or restorative properties.

Use WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner (orange packaging) only for cleaning contacts, but not for polishing.

How to remove scratches from a glossy screen without risk?

For glossy screens (Samsung Galaxy Book, HP Envy):

  1. Clear the screen distilled water and microfiber.
  2. Apply glass polish without ammonia (For example, Invisible Glass).
  3. Polish light movements without pressure.
  4. Paste safety glass (at least 0.2 mm thick).

❌ Don't use: alcohol, vinegar, paper napkins, abrasive sponges.

How much does it cost to replace a laptop case?

The cost depends on the model and material:

Laptop model Cost of the cover (new) Cost of work
Lenovo IdeaPad (plastic) 1500–3000 rub. 1000–2000 rub.
MacBook Air M1 (aluminum) 15,000–20,000 rub. 3000–5000 rub.
ASUS ROG Strix (plastic + metal) 4000–7000 rub. 2000–3000 rub.

💡 Advice: On AliExpress you can find covers for popular models 30–50% cheaper (for example, for Xiaomi Mi Notebook - from 1000 rub.). Check compatibility by serial number!

Is it possible to paint over scratches on a laptop?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • 🎨 For plastic Acrylic paint is suitable (Molotow or Createx).
  • 🖌️ For metal need paint and primerRust-Oleum).
  • ⚠️ Risks: color mismatch, chipping after 1–2 months, loss of texture (for example, on ThinkPad with rubber coating).

Alternative: use pencil for touching up scratches (For example, TouchUp Direct) - he selects the shade more accurately.