When you receive a glass plaque award, it is natural to want to show it off. These awards look elegant and often draw the eyes of others. Besides their attractive and sparkly appearance, these awards are also popular for being tough and durable. They tend to endure normal wear and tear better than alternatives like acrylic. Glass is also a more flexible material that can be formed into more varied shapes. Its heft also feels more substantial and valuable than other materials.
While glass tends to be scratch resistant, the manufacturing process can sometimes embed small particles that are not visible to the naked eye at the beginning. With regular cleaning, these particles can be dragged across the surface, causing minor scratches that become more visible with time. Even without such debris, a glass plaque may gradually build up scratches from exposure to dust, insect and animal dander, falls, and so on. Here are some tips on what to do to try and eliminate such blemishes.
Scratch Removal
Note that if the glass plaque has some coating or gilding, it is advisable to take it to a glass restorer than attempt any cleaning yourself. This is because you risk causing more damage that would be even more expensive to fix. The same goes for antique glass plaques. The glass will likely be more delicate and in need of more professional hands.
Toothpaste
Regular white toothpaste can be used to remove minor scratches on glass. After you have cleaned and dried the glass plaque award, take a clean rag and dampen it with a little water. Apply some toothpaste to the rag and rub it into the scratched surface gently. Use small circular motions and apply just a little pressure while doing this for about 20-30 seconds. This will help to gently polish the surface. Take another clean rag or section of the one you are using to wipe away excess toothpaste. Check to see if the scratches have faded away. If not, repeat the process till you are satisfied.
Clear Nail Polish
Unlike toothpaste, this does not buff out the scratches, rather it will fill in the tiny cracks created. Using the nail polish brush, apply a thin coat to the areas where you see scratches. The polish will penetrate the grooves to fill them out. Allow the polish time to completely dry. At least an hour. Then use nail polish remover to gently remove the polish on the surface of the glass.