RESTORATION RISK · WINDOW SCRATCHES

How to remove Funko Pop window scratches before grading.

Q: How do I know if my Funko Pop's window scratch hurts the grade?

Run a free Popinspect pre-grade . The report breaks down per-defect impact on each subgrade. Most hairline scratches cost only 0.5 grade — meaningful but often still worth submitting on rarer Pops.

The honest answer: don't. Most window-scratch removal attempts make things worse and can fail authentication entirely. Here's the one technique that occasionally works, the risks of each shortcut, and why pre-grading first is the smarter move.

Pre-grade first — free →

Why scratch removal usually fails

Funko Pop windows are acetate plastic, not glass. Polishing removes material — done wrong, it creates new haze that graders score as clouding, which is a bigger Surface deduction than the original scratch.

Graders detect restoration. CGC and Beckett both flag polished windows as 'Restored' on the slab label, which kills resale. SWAU and PSA (when active) also detect it. Window scratch grading impact →

The 1 technique that occasionally works

Microfiber + minimal pressure on hairline scratches only.

Use a brand-new microfiber cloth (clean, no debris). Apply Novus #2 (specifically — not other plastic polish) in a dime-sized amount. Wipe the scratch perpendicular to its direction with light pressure for 10-15 seconds. Wipe off immediately.

This sometimes reduces hairline scratches to invisible levels. It will NOT remove deep scratches, clouding, or cracks. If you can feel the scratch with a fingernail, polishing won't help.

What never works

Toothpaste. Internet myth. Toothpaste contains abrasives that gouge acetate plastic and leave a permanent haze.

Heat / heat guns. Warps the plastic and ruins the box.

Plastic-X / generic plastic polishes. Most contain solvents that fog acetate.

Clear coats / sealants. Detected as restoration; voids authentication.

The smarter move: pre-grade and decide

Run a free Popinspect pre-grade on the scratched Pop. The report tells you exactly how much the scratch costs you in grade and whether the math still works.

If the scratch only costs you 0.5 grade and the Pop is still SEND-rated, submit as-is. If it drops the Pop to HOLD or SKIP, sell raw. Either way, polishing introduces more risk than it removes.

FAQ · how to remove funko pop window scratches before grading

Asked & answered.

Can I remove Funko Pop window scratches before grading?

Sometimes for hairline scratches with Novus #2 polish and a microfiber cloth. Never for deep scratches, clouding, or cracks. Most restoration attempts make things worse and can void authentication — the honest move is to pre-grade first and decide whether the scratch even hurts the grade enough to matter.

Will polishing a Funko Pop window scratch hurt the grade?

Usually yes. Acetate plastic clouds when polished aggressively, which graders score as a larger Surface deduction than the original scratch. CGC and Beckett also flag detected restoration as 'Restored' on the slab — killing resale value.

Does toothpaste remove Funko Pop window scratches?

No — this is a persistent internet myth. Toothpaste contains abrasives that gouge acetate plastic and create permanent haze. Use Novus #2 polish with a microfiber cloth, or don't polish at all.

How do I know if my Funko Pop's window scratch hurts the grade?

Run a free Popinspect pre-grade. The report breaks down per-defect impact on each subgrade. Most hairline scratches cost only 0.5 grade — meaningful but often still worth submitting on rarer Pops.

Is Popinspect an official grader?

No. We are pre-grade intelligence — we predict what CGC, Beckett, SWAU, VVGS, or PGS are likely to grade your Pop. The official grade still comes from them. We just make sure you only ship the ones worth shipping. See our 47-point rubric →

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