Do-it-yourself restoration of car interior plastic

Low quality plastic, constant entry and exit from the cabin, “flight” of keys and other personal items - all this causes scratches in the vehicle interior. On the one hand, it is impossible to avoid the appearance of these defects, so many do not pay attention to them. But on the other hand, they spoil the appearance of the interior and make it uncomfortable.

Therefore, it is best to get rid of scratches as quickly as possible. However, the following question remains relevant: how to remove scratches on plastic in the car interior with your own hands?

Time-tested methods

If there are shallow damages on the surface of the plastic, they can be removed using:

anti-scratch products;
polishes;
special pastes;
pencils that eliminate defects;
improvised means (lighter, hair dryer, rags).

If you use at least one of the methods mentioned above, you can guarantee a high chance of success. Not confident in your abilities? Then, most likely, you cannot do without the help of specialists.

Lighter

Before you removed scratches from the plastic inside your car, you most likely didn’t even suspect that this could be done with an ordinary lighter. But practice shows that this is quite possible to do.

It is enough to buy not an ordinary gas lighter, but one that emits a blue flame. Briefly press the ignition button to slightly warm up the problem area.

The plastic will heat up and the scratches will smooth out evenly. It is highly recommended not to touch the surface with your fingers, as this can damage it.

Note! The presented method for removing a scratch from interior plastic is only suitable if the defect is on smooth plastic. If they are present on a part with a “bumpy” structure, it is quite possible that the entire texture will be distorted. Accordingly, the appearance of the plastic will greatly deteriorate.

Polishes and gels

The second way to get rid of scratches on interior plastic once and for all is to get a special polish. Their application is quite simple. You just need to apply the restoration cream to the plastic and wait for it to completely harden.

At the moment, the most popular materials are “Displex” and “Disc Repair”.

Their microparticles are able to interact with the plastic surface, as a result of which the paste completely clogs problem areas. Optical distortions in places where the scratch is refracted are completely removed. Accordingly, defects are no longer visible.

Attention! The procedure for applying Displex paste is simple even for beginners. In order to rub the composition over the surface, you must use a cotton cloth or a cotton swab. Never apply the paste with your hands! Complete drying time is from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on temperature conditions, depth/size of the scratch and air humidity.

How to properly remove scratches from gloss?

The question of how to remove scratches from glossy plastic is most often of interest to owners of foreign cars. Large defects are quite difficult to eliminate on your own, but if you do everything as described below, there will be no problems.

Apply a special composition to the damaged area. “Displex”, described above, is suitable, but it all depends on the properties and type of plastic.
Sand the damage. Do the procedure carefully.
Once the composition has hardened, apply a textured pattern to the surface of the plastic. To do this, a special fixative gel is used. It is applied to the undamaged part. As soon as the gel hardens, the design is transferred to the place that needs restoration.
Tint and paint the area to be restored.

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There is also a polish for the dashboard “Atas Plak” (750 ml bottle). The product contains silicone, which adds shine and protects the interior from dust.

According to reviews, it works well to remove scratches from glossy plastic. You can buy it, try it out and leave your feedback in the comments.

Restorative pencils and towels

Those who are wondering how to remove scratches on plastic in a car can use special wax pencils or crayons of a suitable color. They are sold at any car store.

HardWAX wax pencils

Thanks to the contents of the pencil, the material will completely fill the damaged part, leveling all defective areas. Once the product has completely hardened, you can begin polishing and applying paint.

The presented method is the most popular, since at home it allows you to get rid of damage as quickly as possible. The surface is usually painted if the color of the marker does not match the shade of the plastic. But if you can match the tone exactly one to one, you won’t have to do any coloring.

Remember! Regardless of what product you use or how deep the scratches are on the surface, always degrease the surface. The most optimal degreasers are acetone and alcohol. Never use gasoline or white spirit! The substances that are in their composition are able to penetrate deep into the material, making it very fragile. Aggressive substances can completely damage the surface of the plastic.

Wiping towels. Try rubbing out scratches using professional rags that can be found on sale.

Before removing scratches from transparent plastic, be sure to degrease the surface. Depending on what kind of material needs to be processed (matte, glossy or transparent plastic), use different materials and techniques.

The easiest option is to heat the surface with a lighter that emits a blue flame. If the nature of the damage does not allow you to use this method, you will have to pick up a cream paste or a restorative marker. Having performed the procedure correctly, after the materials have completely hardened, it will become impossible to find the place where the scratch was.

In any case, if you feel that you cannot get rid of such interior defects on your own, it would be best to seek the help of service center specialists. Full-time employees, using highly specialized tools and special equipment, will restore the interior as quickly as possible.

Removing scratches with wiping towels

Ways to eliminate flaws:

Lighter.
Construction hairdryer.
Wax pencils.
Polishing.
The overhaul is carried out in a professional workshop, the plastic is cleaned, primed, painted, and varnished.

External defects can be removed using a lighter; turbocharged products with high temperatures and stable combustion are best suited. The problem area is heating up, you can’t keep the fire in one area, the hand with the lighter is constantly moving.

The flame is not brought too close; a suitable distance is selected so that the part does not melt. The abrasions will heal slowly; in a heated area, the soft plastic should not be touched with your hands. This method is suitable for smooth plastic; the structure of the corrugated surface changes after heating. Instead of a lighter, you can use a hair dryer that generates high heat. Sometimes the power of the device is enough to dry your hair. Before use, remove dirt, dust, and allow automotive cleaning chemicals or dishwashing detergent.

The hair dryer is turned on at a low temperature; if deformation does not occur, the power increases. Small damages are reduced immediately and polished for a better appearance. Microfiber cleaning towels are sometimes used. This is an effective method, the problem area is actively rubbed, all minor defects are eliminated. Dirty rags are washed and reused many times.

Minor defects appear on the panels inside the machine. If they are not restored in time, abrasions will appear everywhere, creating a cobweb that will be more difficult to deal with. You have to go to a workshop; it’s difficult to get rid of the problem on your own.

Types of Damage

We remove chips and scratches on paintwork.
Small scratches are often found inside the car, intertwining into a web of damage. As a result, the appearance of the interior is spoiled, which requires the search for camouflage techniques. Knowing your options, you can remove defects in a short time with minimal financial costs.

More serious costs will be incurred if you have to repair deep damage, since many defects cannot be hidden using simple techniques. The following are the most common methods that will help remove unwanted scratches, thereby improving the appearance of your car's interior.

There are several options for scratching plastic in the car interior:

Small cracks in the car formed when the material comes into contact with the driver’s keys and other personal belongings that come into contact with the panel.
Deep large cracks that require a more detailed approach to their destruction.
Scratches caused by the sun as a result of its action. The fact is that after radiation the surface becomes dull and loses its color.

The removal process is not always simple; major repairs of the products will be required.

Conclusion

Plastic is a fairly soft and pliable material that requires careful and regular care, even more than metal car parts.

Over time, plastic parts inevitably fade and become more fragile due to abrasion and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, you can restore the original attractive appearance of plastic using a high-quality polish.

Auto stores offer a great variety of different auto cosmetics of this nature, but it is important to purchase only the best for your car. Our rating presents the highest quality options for such products, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by numerous reviews from real customers.

How to remove scratches on interior plastic 4 methods to choose from

Renault Logan Silver Logbook 016 Replacing the air filter. TO1-1

Minor scratches. Most often, they form a whole web, since they arise in places that are constantly exposed to the same type of influence. They will be the easiest to deal with, despite their abundance;
Deep scratches or cuts. They can be found anywhere, as they are the result of rough physical contact with something sharp, but most often they appear on door trims as a result of loading a large item. They can be removed, although in more complex ways than defects of group 1;
A combination of types 1 and 2 damage with the consequences of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Naturally, the dashboard burns out. In combination with even minor scratches, the appearance is terrible and cannot be removed with home remedies.

The area to be repaired is washed and dried;
The hair dryer is turned on to minimum and directed towards the defect. There is no need to hold it at one point - move along the damage not quickly, but not too slowly.

The surface is cleaned again with water and detergent and dried - dirt that has accumulated in the defects will not allow them to heal well;
The paste is applied to the damage using a soft dishwasher or foam rubber;
Wait the time indicated on the package - usually about 5 minutes. The signal that you are ready for polishing will be the formation of a whitish coating;
It is better to polish by hand: there are not many plastic surfaces in the interior, and the strong heat of a sander can damage them beyond repair.

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How to remove a small scratch from plastic

Polishing plastic from scratches

The first two methods are suitable for very minor damage. In the first case, the surface is heated. Using a hairdryer is, of course, safer. An open flame near plastic creates the preconditions for a fire. A hairdryer can be both household and construction. You should not direct the hot jet to one place; you need to heat the entire surface very gradually so as not to melt the part.

If you decide to use a lighter, you need to purchase a so-called turbo lighter. It is easily identified by the blue color of the flame. It's best to first practice on some plastic object that you don't mind throwing away

Act quickly and carefully, don't burn a hole

The method is based on the ability of heated plastic to soften and heal minor damage. Never touch hot material unless you want to leave fingerprints or completely deform the part. Such damage cannot be repaired.

The second method is reminiscent of regular kitchen cleaning. Special towels and napkins are made from polymer microfiber. This type of fabric is called microfiber and is used in a variety of cleaning products. Your favorite car is no different from a kitchen item. Any car owner who wants to keep their car clean should have a set of towels. Then, no matter where you are, you will have the opportunity to remove a dirty or greasy stain. If you find minor damage to the inner surface of the car, just rub it vigorously for two to three minutes.

Now you know how to remove a scratch from the plastic of a car interior if it is a microdefect. But what to do when the flaw is serious?

Polishing car interior plastic from scratches

If you find a deep enough mark from your keys or another metal object, you need an anti-scratch car interior plastic polish. There are a variety of products available on the market and they are used in different ways. There are supporters of grinding machines. Other experts believe that plastic can only be processed by hand. Whatever you choose, the sequence of actions is standard.

They start working with compounds with larger abrasive grains and end up with “velvet” ones. At the end - a restorative paste. Polishes not only restore the appearance of parts, they can protect against fading under the influence of the sun and provide an antistatic effect.

How to repair scratches on plastic in the interior quickly and reliably? Try a wax pencil. Keep in mind that a quality product will be quite expensive, but you can keep it for the future and use it again. Basically, it's not even a pencil. This is a small bottle filled with the appropriate substance.

Your actions are completely primitive: use a sharp end to shade the damaged area, wait for the composition to harden, and polish. Of course, the result will not always satisfy you. It is often not possible to find a pencil of the appropriate color. In addition, the damage does not disappear, but is masked. But for some time the plastic panel will look quite decent. When the opportunity arises, you can contact a specialist or deal with the problem yourself.

Alternative methods

Craftsmen offer a variety of ways to “cure” plastic.

GOI paste, which is used for polishing jewelry. Apply a little paste to a soft cloth, then wipe the damaged surface until it is in satisfactory condition. At the end, rinse the part thoroughly to remove any remaining paste;
Another rather exotic method is the restoration of plastic with plastic. To do this, you need to melt a little plastic, then dissolve it in white spirit, rub the resulting composition into the damaged area. After the mixture has hardened, polish the part.

You can choose a very reliable, but difficult technique - to paint whatever you want. This is expensive and difficult, but this way all defects will disappear. Consult a specialist, assess your abilities and financial capabilities. If you're willing to take the risk, be prepared for long, hard work, but when you're done, you'll feel like a jack of all trades.

What methods of removing scratches do you know? Share your knowledge in! And also watch a video about restoring plastic inside a car.

What can cause scratches in a car?

Every car owner with at least one child in the family knows firsthand what scratches are. Unfortunately, this is a common thing when a child, having nothing better to do, starts scratching the plastic on the car doors during a trip. You can often find scratches on the bottom of the doors, this is also the fault of the kids, they like to hit the door with their feet, perhaps this happens involuntarily, but, alas, this can happen to anyone. Of course, adults can also inadvertently damage the plastic coating on the doors inside the car; this can be done with shoes or ignition keys.

We will outline the most common reasons why scratches occur inside a car:

Transporting animals (frightened dogs or cats may start scratching at doors with their claws).
Transportation of large items inside the cabin.
Children's pranks.
Damage to plastic from shoes.
Damage to material from keys.

Means for removing minor scratches

Small scratches can also be treated with a colorless product. A striking example of this is “Disc Repair”, or “Displex”. However, you can also take car body polish. These polishes can be both coarse, that is, abrasive, and finishing, that is, soft silicone. But for plastic, only soft polish will be used.

How to remove scratches

How to apply products to a damaged surface?

All products should be applied to the surface of plastic parts only with a soft, preferably flannel, cloth or napkin. It is optimal for these purposes to take a regular baby diaper.

Useful tips

All industrial products for removing defects from plastic (abrasive gels, pencils, polishing pastes) are very effective, but they are not cheap.

In this case, you can try to repair the damage using improvised means.

Toothpaste - Can be used to clean plastic displays and screens. You need to apply a little product to the scratch and rub it in a circular motion. Then the paste should be left to dry, and then the residue should be washed off with a damp cotton pad.
Vegetable oil - can mask minor damage and add shine. To do this, apply 3-5 drops of this product onto the scratch and rub until the greasy drops disappear.
Baking soda - acts like toothpaste. Make a paste from baking soda and water and rub it into the scratch. Wash off any remaining residue with water applied to a cloth.

Using polishes and gels

If microfiber does not give results, gels and polishes are used. The composition is applied to cotton wool; when rubbed, fragments of the gel fall into the recesses and cover them. After 30-50 minutes the polish will harden. Use abrasive pastes, a grinding machine or a rag.

Instructions:

Apply a thin layer of polish to a clean area and rub it with felt.
After the appearance of a light gray layer, polishing is performed until the abrasions disappear.
You can’t wait too long; the dry mixture doesn’t grind well.
The panels are sanded to a shine.
The remaining polish is removed and the plastic is washed.

The glossy and transparent coating quickly becomes scuffed.

Automotive restorers

Restorers are polishes and gels. The products remove damage after repair and give the product its original appearance. The polishing process is especially important when repairing glossy surfaces. The polish is applied using abrasive sandpaper or a grinder.

Make sure that the tool operates at low speed. This will allow you to control the process of polishing the plastic. It is not worth eliminating small scratches in this way, the measure is excessive.

Work on scratched plastic is carried out according to the following scheme:

Washing;
Drying;
Degreasing;
Application of the product;
Polishing the gloss until shiny.

The method is suitable for removing minor scratches on glossy plastic surfaces.

Wax pencils for removing scratches from plastic in the interior

The painted material will not be restored with gel if the scratch is deep; wax pencils of different colors are used. First, the coating is degreased, the abrasion is removed, and the wax quickly fills the gap.

Types of damage:

Small ones appear most often and are easily and cheaply removed.
Deep ones are more difficult to repair; there is no need to replace parts.
Deformation caused by ultraviolet radiation is more difficult to correct; you have to take the car to a workshop.

Often several flaws of varying depths appear in one area, and major repairs have to be carried out.

Car owners try to improve their appearance on their own, but they do not always manage to do it correctly. You have to pay a lot of money at the service station so as not to damage the car even more. There are hundreds of poker rooms on the Internet, which differ in the choice of entertainment, the level of players and limits. PokerDom is one of the best services in demand among clients. With it, anyone can become a poker professional without the risk of losing money.

Instructions:

The scratched cover is removed.
Dirt is removed.
The problem area is primed.
The part is sanded, painted, and dried before processing.
The coating is varnished.
Polishing gives the product shine.

Some flaws are difficult to repair; all the linings have to be repainted the same color.

Car enthusiasts' opinion:

There is no point in repainting or changing the door card due to minor defects.
A construction hairdryer can damage fusible material.
Sandpaper leaves new abrasions.
You cannot cover them with stickers.
Not all workshops carry out such restoration.

Features of hand polishing:

Suitable for small items and small areas.
You will need a homogeneous paste without impurities.
The oil gives a glossy shine.
The abrasive is applied with felt or felt in a circular motion without pressure.
Treatment lasts 15-20 minutes.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=G19J6sA6h84

What to do if the scratches on the plastic are very deep

Previously, we described the most popular options for removing damage to plastic. But what if they are very deep, then how to remove scratches on the plastic in the car? There is no need to despair, there is also an effective solution to this problem; of course, it will require more effort from the car owner, but if used correctly, the result will exceed all expectations!

You will need a small piece of plastic, the color palette matching the part of the surface being repaired. It is recommended to take the material from the inside of the plastic, for example from the partition. These actions will not cause any harm to the design of the parts.

Dichloroethane can be purchased in this format.

The plastic must be dissolved in a substance such as dichloroethane. Apply the resulting consistency evenly to the damaged areas. While the surface being treated has not completely hardened, it can be made into any desired shape.

Polishing plastic parts cannot completely hide scratches; it can only refresh their appearance. It is completely inappropriate on a rough or matte surface.

Door thresholds are also not suitable for polishing; they cannot be repaired at all; it is easier to replace them with other parts.

Leveling large scratches:

a compound must be applied to the damaged area, which, if used correctly, should completely fill the scratch. It is selected according to the type and general properties of the material being repaired;
the damaged area is rubbed very carefully;
then a textured pattern is applied to the entire surface of the part being repaired. To do this, the surface is coated with a special plasticizer gel. And after it has completely hardened, the gel is removed, and only the resulting pattern remains;
Next, tinting and painting are performed.

Removing flaws on the plastic in a car is a rather labor-intensive process. If you are not confident in your abilities, use the services of a service station.

How to get rid of deep marks?

An effective method for dealing with deep damage to a plastic surface is sandpaper (sandpaper) with different grain sizes. It is moisture resistant, has abrasive properties, and is suitable for preparation, grinding and polishing.

Mode of application:

wet the 800-grit sandpaper, this will soften the particles and prevent the appearance of new defects on the plastic;
sand the damage in a circular motion until the scratch disappears;
treat the surface with a damp, clean cloth;
wipe the plastic dry;
perform final sanding with fine sandpaper (grit size - 1200-1500);
polish the surface with a special product.

Polishing pastes and sprays should be intended for processing plastic or acrylic; industrial compositions for paint and varnish surfaces are not suitable.

Options

Based on the type of plastic that covers the panel, as well as the type of damage present on the surface, you can choose a specific method by which the repair will be carried out. For this, improvised devices such as a hair dryer, open fire, polishing, pencils, and stripping are used. Let's look at each of the options in more detail.

Using a hair dryer

A hair dryer is a proven tool for cars aimed at removing damage. You can use not only a special tool, but also an ordinary household hair dryer. Restoration is quite simple: in the car, prolonged damage becomes invisible.

To repair a torpedo using this method, it is necessary to prepare the surface by washing it, which will allow the scratches to be freed from ingrained dirt. After going through the drying stage, you need to polish the damaged area with an air flow.

Using a lighter

Open fire is the best plastic reducer in a car. Operations using a lighter are a proven process that does not require a lot of time and money. To remove defects, you need to bring the lighter to the plastic surface and run the flame along the scratch several times.

Polishing the material

If your car has scratches, it is not necessary to carry out expensive repairs (polishing); perhaps a polishing procedure will do. To ensure high quality polishing, an abrasive paste is used. Varnish and paint products are contraindicated. Simple polishing involves a set of steps:

the surface is washed away from dirt;
the treated area must be dried and cooled in a room without light;
apply a special paste to the panel manually;
Polishing begins directly.

Thus, polishing is a proven method for eliminating problems with the interior of a car.

Using special pencils

Special pencils for plastic are often used for instrument panels and instruments to remove problems. This method is not one of the most budget-friendly options, since markers are expensive. They are presented in bottles with a mixture that, when applied to the damaged area, will fill the groove of the scratch and eliminate it. An important role is played by the choice of color in accordance with the tone of the panel.

Conceal stains with a specialized pencil

If the defects are minor, you can use a special pencil. When purchasing it, you need to choose the color as accurately as possible. If the shade is even slightly different, then, of course, you will get rid of the scratch, but instead, stripes will appear on the surface of the torpedo.

The principle of operation of such a pencil is very simple - inside a small bottle there is a rather thick coloring composition that fills the crack and dries, thereby completely leveling the surface.

To use a marker, just wipe the surface from dirt and dust and, pressing on the pencil, squeeze the “putty” into the recess. It is recommended to remove excess composition and polish the surface.

Despite the simplicity of this method, it is worth considering the rather high cost of the pencil. However, this product can be reused.

If the damage is quite deep, then there are several other ways to repair the surface.

How to remove scratches from a car interior

If the scratch has protruding edges, they must be removed using fine-grain sandpaper (400–600). Small scratches can be smoothed out with a finer abrasive (800-1000). When sanding, do not remove too much of the texture of the plastic. Sanding will smooth out the roughness, and further heating will remove the dullness. You can also carefully cut off the raised areas using a blade. In most cases, small raised areas can be removed with a fingernail. Even if you don’t polish the scratches first, you will still get a positive result if you apply the heat correctly.
Clean the plastic from dirt, dust and protective coatings. To do this, you can use a soap solution, and for degreasing, isopropyl alcohol.
Next, wipe the surface dry.
Using a hair dryer, heat the surface until the plastic shines a little. The hair dryer is usually set to half power. Here you need to be careful not to overheat the plastic part. It is better to first practice on an unnecessary plastic panel or in a hidden place. With the help of heat, minor scratches and abrasions will begin to disappear. The surface begins to melt and small scratches are smoothed out. At the same time, if the hair dryer is used correctly, the surface texture is not damaged. When the plastic is heated, it should not be touched, as imprints will immediately appear, which will remain after the plastic cools. A hair dryer may not be enough. Heating to a temperature of about 200 degrees will not give the desired result. In addition, a hair dryer does not provide focused heat. You must use a hair dryer designed for technical purposes.
To prevent plastic from fading when exposed to sunlight, you need to use special protective compounds for the interior with protection from ultraviolet rays.

Heating removes scuff marks and dullness.
Note: When using a hair dryer, do not bring it too close or hold it in one place for too long. This may melt the plastic too much and damage it, or it may leave shiny spots. The idea is to constantly move the hair dryer with a small, uniform amplitude. You can do circular movements. You need to move slowly, at a constant low speed, so as not to form streaks. You need to heat in small sections at a time.

The air needs to be set to low speed. Heating does not remove scratches, but it does smooth out their edges. As a result, scratches become less noticeable.

The same method can be used to renew the surface of unpainted plastic bumpers. If after such a procedure you do not protect the bumper with a special anti-fading agent, the result will not last too long.

Removing small cracks

The following tools allow you to quickly eliminate minor cracks and at the same time preserve the condition of your wallet. Their effectiveness is based on the principle of polishing and preparatory work should consist of thorough cleaning of the surface being treated and its further drying.

Wax

Wax is used to polish plastic surfaces. It must be used in combination with soft, dry cloth. Movements during rubbing should be circular. A cotton swab will help get rid of excess wax. A good alternative to wax is GOI paste or machine oil.

Glass cleaning products

Glass cleaning products must be used according to the same principle. In combination with a dry cloth, the action of such compositions is quite effective in relation to minor scratches.

Glass polishes

Products used for polishing glass surfaces with abrasive components are also suitable for plastic. In the case of small scratches, this method not only masks them, but removes them completely. Hydrofluoric acid can act as an abrasive component, so if there are elements on the surface that are not made of plastic or glass, refrain from using this option.

Polish for copper and silver

Copper and silver polishes can be used in tandem with microfiber or a dry cloth. Rubbing should be continued until the trace of cracks is visually invisible.

Household or construction hair dryer

A household or construction hair dryer will allow you to quickly deal with a minor defect. Be sure to clean the surface and dry it. Start heating the area with the scratch with a hairdryer, but do not hold it in one place. Wait until the plastic begins to melt slightly. Do not touch the restored surface with your hands until it has cooled down.

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Computer products

Tools for computer equipment and disks also demonstrate effectiveness. They are also convenient to use in combination with microfiber.

Polish for wood and plastic surfaces

Wood polish will also work on plastic, but it should be combined with Vaseline. The damaged area will be filled with this composition and the crack will not be so visible. Continue rubbing the surface until the Vaseline is completely absorbed.

Additionally, we recommend reading our specialist’s article on how to polish a car with your own hands.

Using Dye

Minor scratches can be dealt with with a dye designed specifically for masking this type of damage. It should be applied with a toothpick or thin brush. Polishing is carried out with machine oil.

You can find more detailed information on how to choose the right paint for plastic in the article by our specialist.

Fabric paint or masking markers

Fabric paint or masking markers are also effective, but require additional finishing polishing. Felt pens, if their quality is beyond doubt, can be quite expensive, but this method is very economical.