Fine scratches on the back camera

[wholesome]

I somehow got a lot of fine scratches on the back camera (I'm not sure what caused it), and now the image is a bit blurry. The dealership said it would cost around $1k to replace the camera, but I don't feel that it is worth it (for now); it's more of an annoyance.

Does anybody know if the camera protection is plastic or glass? It looks like plastic to me, but I'm not sure.

And if it's plastic, do you think it's a good idea to use something like PlastX (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F653HGS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1) with a foam applicator or fiber towel to try to improve the situation a bit, or it could make it worse?

Thanks for any advice.

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[RickMachE]

Do you go to a commercial carwash?

 

[wholesome]

Unfortunatelly, yes, I've noticed it after the automatic car wash.

Before that, I went on a trip to Canada, where there was a lot of snow. The car was very dirty all the time, so the camera was always more or less blurry because of dirt. I thought it could be that I accidentally backed up into icy snow pile while charging or, yes, it was a car wash.

I'm trying to avoid automatic car washes, but it's tricky when it's cold.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I don’t know whether it has a glass or plastic lens. If it’s glass you might carefully try a bit of glass polish on it.

@RickMachE is correct though, most likely from a touch car wash.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The lens is plastic. You can tape off the painted surfaces and polish it. After polishing the lens to your satisfaction, I would suggest applying a small rounded of PPF over the lens to prevent further scratches on the lens (if the PPF gets scratched, you can always just remove it and install a new one). ??

 

[RickMachE]

I don't know how you accidently back into a pile of snow with a camera and sensors, so it's pretty clearly the carwash.

I myself have never been to a carwash...

 

[VindictivePantz]

The lens is plastic. You can tape off the painted surfaces and polish it. After polishing the lens to your satisfaction, I would suggest applying a small rounded of PPF over the lens to prevent further scratches on the lens (if the PPF gets scratched, you can always just remove it and install a new one). ??

My front (frunk) camera has a tiny scratch/chip from a rock, so appreciate this post. Thank you.

 

[wholesome]

The lens is plastic. You can tape off the painted surfaces and polish it. After polishing the lens to your satisfaction, I would suggest applying a small rounded of PPF over the lens to prevent further scratches on the lens (if the PPF gets scratched, you can always just remove it and install a new one). ??

Do you think I can use this kit to polish the camera
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08745K56G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1O8914CIXLCUU&th=1

Or do I need to buy a DA polisher or take the car to body shop?

Also, could you tell me where you think I can get PPF for the camera?

I asked a detailing shop nearby, and they can cut the needed PPF, but they quoted me $250 just for cutting and applying PPF, without polishing, which I think is too much for a tiny piece of PPF.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Do you think I can use this kit to polish the camera
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08745K56G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1O8914CIXLCUU&th=1

Or do I need to buy a DA polisher or take the car to body shop?

Also, could you tell me where you think I can get PPF for the camera?

I asked a detailing shop nearby, and they can cut the needed PPF, but they quoted me $250 just for cutting and applying PPF, without polishing, which I think is too much for a tiny piece of PPF.

I think that kit is overkill. You can more than likely polish it up by taping off the area around the the camera lens, gently sanding with 400-800 grit paper, and then hand polishing it. I would the. just buy a roll of 1” width PPF (as short a roll as you can buy since the lens is small) and apply some over the lens and carefully trim to fit. ??

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