Answers.Body: <p>It is definitely possible, since ABS is a plastic that can be either mechanically or chemically affected. Cleaning bricks is a well-studied field, you will find useful information regarding this topic all over the internet, including <a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/124/lego-cleaning-techniques-and-tools">here</a>.</p>
  
  <p>Polishing LEGO bricks is less heard of, but can be done either <a href="http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8217.msg89453#msg89453" rel="nofollow noreferrer">mechanically</a> <a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/1998/3631">(another link)</a> or <a href="https://www.instructables.com/id/Acetone-Vapor-Polishing-for-3D-Printed-ABS-Plastic/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">chemically</a> <a href="http://www.soliforum.com/post/146/#p146" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(another link)</a>. Note though, that any kind of polishing includes either removal or rearrangement of material, so the chance of damage is definitely not zero in any method. I'd suggest starting with the gentle and precise methods (file, hobby knife, fine sandpaper, etc), and only progressing to more drastical methods (acetone) if they fail.</p>
  
  <p>When using acetone, be especially careful, as the vapours can't be easily controlled, and they are flammable (can burn down your house), poisonous (can kill you and your family), and can even melt the entire brick if given the chance! Of course the dangers depend on the amount and ventilation, but some of the above links depict clearly dangerous settings, uses and amounts.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-02-18T18:44:34.273Z
Answers.Text: I will add to this one more method that is often used for removing print from minifigs and other parts: Brasso (the copper polish). Brasso is abrasive, but it is much finer than sandpaper. So, when you rub it over a LEGO element with a piece of cloth, it will work like sandpaper. However, because Brasso is so fine, you won't see any scratch marks like you would with normal sanding.
Answers.UserDisplayName: TheBrickBlogger
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-02-19T15:12:00.357Z
Answers.Text: thank you guys for your detailed and very helpful answers
Answers.UserDisplayName: fabian
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2023-02-17T18:53:04.227Z
Answers.Text: From Brickset forum: `If you have a badly scratched part (especially a flat part), rub it on a flat absorbent surface that has dilute acetone on it, and you get rid of the scratches. It does leave it slightly shiny as you uncover the surface, but often better than the original scratched surface.`
Answers.UserDisplayName: Henrique de Sousa
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Answers.CreationDate: 2019-02-18T16:33:13.780Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-02-18T16:33:13.780Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: zovits
Body: <p>I have an old white and rare brick which got scratches and dirtying which I cannot wash away. Any ideas on how to clean it? I thought about fine sanding or polishing but I am afraid that I damage the brick.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-02-20T01:30:41.663Z
Comments.Text: Sanding it, even with melamine, will remove material and change the perfect fit of the brick. I'd try looking up how to rewhiten the bricks with hydrogen peroxide mixture, it takes a few days, but it may well be worth it.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Raystafarian
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-02-20T11:06:34.137Z
Comments.Text: yep, did it already before posting my question. still, the situation is unsatisfying
Comments.UserDisplayName: fabian
Tags: <cleaning><piece-usage>
Title: Is it possible to sand/polish LEGO bricks?
UserDisplayName: fabian
ThreadText: # Is it possible to sand/polish LEGO bricks?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2019-02-18)
  
  I have an old white and rare brick which got scratches and dirtying which I cannot wash away. Any ideas on how to clean it? I thought about fine sanding or polishing but I am afraid that I damage the brick.
  
  **Tags:** cleaning, piece-usage
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Sanding it, even with melamine, will remove material and change the perfect fit of the brick. I'd try looking up how to rewhiten the bricks with hydrogen peroxide mixture, it takes a few days, but it may well be worth it.  
  > **username_0**: yep, did it already before posting my question. still, the situation is unsatisfying  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2019-02-18. Score: 4 | Accepted answer
  
  It is definitely possible, since ABS is a plastic that can be either mechanically or chemically affected. Cleaning bricks is a well-studied field, you will find useful information regarding this topic all over the internet, including [here](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/124/lego-cleaning-techniques-and-tools).
  
  Polishing LEGO bricks is less heard of, but can be done either [mechanically](http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8217.msg89453#msg89453) [(another link)](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/1998/3631) or [chemically](https://www.instructables.com/id/Acetone-Vapor-Polishing-for-3D-Printed-ABS-Plastic/) [(another link)](http://www.soliforum.com/post/146/#p146). Note though, that any kind of polishing includes either removal or rearrangement of material, so the chance of damage is definitely not zero in any method. I'd suggest starting with the gentle and precise methods (file, hobby knife, fine sandpaper, etc), and only progressing to more drastical methods (acetone) if they fail.
  
  When using acetone, be especially careful, as the vapours can't be easily controlled, and they are flammable (can burn down your house), poisonous (can kill you and your family), and can even melt the entire brick if given the chance! Of course the dangers depend on the amount and ventilation, but some of the above links depict clearly dangerous settings, uses and amounts.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_3**: I will add to this one more method that is often used for removing print from minifigs and other parts: Brasso (the copper polish). Brasso is abrasive, but it is much finer than sandpaper. So, when you rub it over a LEGO element with a piece of cloth, it will work like sandpaper. However, because Brasso is so fine, you won't see any scratch marks like you would with normal sanding.  
  > **username_0**: thank you guys for your detailed and very helpful answers  
  > **username_4**: From Brickset forum: `If you have a badly scratched part (especially a flat part), rub it on a flat absorbent surface that has dilute acetone on it, and you get rid of the scratches. It does leave it slightly shiny as you uncover the surface, but often better than the original scratched surface.`  
  
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