How to remove a micro-scratch from a Pokémon card without damaging it
Micro-scratches show up mostly at a certain angle, on glossy surfaces. The finest ones can be treated; the deepest cannot. Here is how to tell them apart and how to soften the ones that can be softened, without taking risks.
- A micro-scratch stays in the varnish; a deep scratch cuts into the holo layer.
- Micro-scratches and light surface scuffs come off with a suitable gel.
- A deep scratch will not disappear: better to know it than to force it.
- No toothpaste, no car polish, no dry rubbing.
Micro-scratch or deep scratch?
Tilt the card under a lamp. A micro-scratch is a very fine line that only appears at one precise angle and can’t be felt. A deep scratch is visible from several angles, sometimes catches your fingernail and shows a break in the holo pattern.
Where do micro-scratches come from?
- A sleeve or toploader with dust inside.
- A rough cloth or dry rubbing.
- Cards stacked without protection.
- Shipping in a box where they move around.
What you should never do
- Toothpaste, baking soda, car polish: they are abrasive and scratch even more.
- Rubbing hard or dry.
- Getting the card wet.
- Applying the product directly to the card.
How to soften a micro-scratch
- Clean the surface first: microfibre, then spray applied to the cloth, so you don’t drag dust across the card.
- Put a very small amount of Restore+ shine gel on a foam applicator.
- Work over the area in small movements, without pressing.
- Buff with a clean, dry microfibre cloth, still without pressure.
- Check under raking light and repeat once if needed, without insisting further.
The complete kit
The Pokémon card restoration kit
Alcohol-free cleaning spray, shine gel, 2 microfibre cloths, 5 applicators and 10 cotton swabs: everything you need for €59.
See the kit – €59What about grading?
Micro-scratches weigh on the surface grade. Softening them is part of normal preparation. A deep scratch, on the other hand, will stay visible: there is no point working on it further, and you would risk damaging the area around it. More details in should you clean a card before grading?.
Preventing micro-scratches
A new sleeve, a clean semi-rigid holder or toploader, and cards that never rub against each other: see how to protect your Pokémon cards.
Frequently asked questions
Does the gel remove all scratches?
No. It removes micro-scratches and light surface scuffs. A deep scratch that has cut into the holo layer will not disappear.
Can I treat the back of the card?
The back is cleaned with spray applied to the microfibre cloth. The gel is mainly useful on glossy surfaces.
How many applications does it take?
One is usually enough. A second can help; beyond that, it is better to stop.