Scratch on Interior Plastic
#1
Scratch on Interior Plastic
My wife's purse made a long scratch on the glove compartment door on the passenger side. It isn't deep - you can't feel it when running your finger over it - but it is almost white in color so it stands out.
I was hoping Armor All wipes would make it look better but now it's actually more noticeable since the black area is now darker and shinier.
Is there anything I can do to remove or hide them better? I'm afraid to try anything else (wax, exterior scratch remover?) because I don't want to ruin the door and make the whole thing look worse. Any advice is much appreciated.
I was hoping Armor All wipes would make it look better but now it's actually more noticeable since the black area is now darker and shinier.
Is there anything I can do to remove or hide them better? I'm afraid to try anything else (wax, exterior scratch remover?) because I don't want to ruin the door and make the whole thing look worse. Any advice is much appreciated.
#2
Instructor
My wife's purse made a long scratch on the glove compartment door on the passenger side. It isn't deep - you can't feel it when running your finger over it - but it is almost white in color so it stands out.
I was hoping Armor All wipes would make it look better but now it's actually more noticeable since the black area is now darker and shinier.
Is there anything I can do to remove or hide them better? I'm afraid to try anything else (wax, exterior scratch remover?) because I don't want to ruin the door and make the whole thing look worse. Any advice is much appreciated.
I was hoping Armor All wipes would make it look better but now it's actually more noticeable since the black area is now darker and shinier.
Is there anything I can do to remove or hide them better? I'm afraid to try anything else (wax, exterior scratch remover?) because I don't want to ruin the door and make the whole thing look worse. Any advice is much appreciated.
#4
Instructor
#5
Unregistered Member
Magic eraser is made up of foam and at the microscopic level is almost as hard as glass, it essentially works like really fine sandpaper.
#6
Instructor
I can't imagine it would sand down the dash, without considerable effort. However, I would bet, if this is a surface scratch, you will be able to gently scrub the scratch directly and remove it, without affecting the dash at all. Again, try it in a spot you don't see, just to make sure first.
#7
Instructor
Or, start with a good APC, diluted, with a gentle brush to get down in the texture of the dash. I clean all my leather with diluted APC and a horse hair brush, so you have no worries of hurting anything there.
Plus, it'll help you get rid of that Armor All
Plus, it'll help you get rid of that Armor All
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#9
Instructor
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iSeeYouTwo (05-01-2013)
#10
ArmorAll is the devil. Get some nice soapy water and a sponge - not magic eraser - and clean the armor all off. Then, you should post a picture of the offensive "scratch" assuming the soapy water hasn't removed it.
If - as I suspect - it is mostly gone, then you can finish it off by using Aerospace 303 diluted 50/50 with water to restore the matte finish and sheen without getting ArmorAll greasy, shiny and squeaky.
If - as I suspect - it is mostly gone, then you can finish it off by using Aerospace 303 diluted 50/50 with water to restore the matte finish and sheen without getting ArmorAll greasy, shiny and squeaky.
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Tlyden316 (05-13-2013)
#12
Instructor
#15
#18
#19
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iSeeYouTwo (05-01-2013)
#20
Unregistered Member
#21
ArmorAll is the devil. Get some nice soapy water and a sponge - not magic eraser - and clean the armor all off. Then, you should post a picture of the offensive "scratch" assuming the soapy water hasn't removed it.
If - as I suspect - it is mostly gone, then you can finish it off by using Aerospace 303 diluted 50/50 with water to restore the matte finish and sheen without getting ArmorAll greasy, shiny and squeaky.
If - as I suspect - it is mostly gone, then you can finish it off by using Aerospace 303 diluted 50/50 with water to restore the matte finish and sheen without getting ArmorAll greasy, shiny and squeaky.
Anyway, to hide the damage, I tried Mother's Back to Black and black tinted wax but once they dried it didn't look much different. I am thinking maybe a bit of black shoe polish might darken it to make it look better? Does anybody have any other ideas? The only thing I have going for me is that it's the lower portion of the door so if it doesn't come out perfect it will be hard to tell.
#22
Unregistered Member
Try Aerospace 303. Also post a pic.
#23
I did this and it did not end up well. I scrubbed it with a sponge with soap and water and at first it looked great. The long scratch appeared to be gone. However, once the water dried the black paint had faded where I was using the sponge. I didn't use any chemicals, other than soap, and I didn't think that I was pressing very hard. It's not just a haze or film, it actually removed some paint!
Anyway, to hide the damage, I tried Mother's Back to Black and black tinted wax but once they dried it didn't look much different. I am thinking maybe a bit of black shoe polish might darken it to make it look better? Does anybody have any other ideas? The only thing I have going for me is that it's the lower portion of the door so if it doesn't come out perfect it will be hard to tell.
Anyway, to hide the damage, I tried Mother's Back to Black and black tinted wax but once they dried it didn't look much different. I am thinking maybe a bit of black shoe polish might darken it to make it look better? Does anybody have any other ideas? The only thing I have going for me is that it's the lower portion of the door so if it doesn't come out perfect it will be hard to tell.
#24
Here is a pic with some of the Mothers and black wax still on there. I didn't take a before pic but it looked a little worse.
On the bright side the original long scratch is harder to notice.
On the bright side the original long scratch is harder to notice.
#25
That's not painted plastic. It is molded that color. Accordingly, any "white" marks are either paint transfer, dirt or a scratch that has changed the finish.
Me? I'd remove all of the "back to black," shoe polish and what not and clean the entire door before using Aerospace 303 on the entire door.
Right now you have so much crap on there that it is a hazard to anyone sitting in the front seat wearing anything but black pants.
Me? I'd remove all of the "back to black," shoe polish and what not and clean the entire door before using Aerospace 303 on the entire door.
Right now you have so much crap on there that it is a hazard to anyone sitting in the front seat wearing anything but black pants.
#26
That's not painted plastic. It is molded that color. Accordingly, any "white" marks are either paint transfer, dirt or a scratch that has changed the finish.
Me? I'd remove all of the "back to black," shoe polish and what not and clean the entire door before using Aerospace 303 on the entire door.
Right now you have so much crap on there that it is a hazard to anyone sitting in the front seat wearing anything but black pants.
Me? I'd remove all of the "back to black," shoe polish and what not and clean the entire door before using Aerospace 303 on the entire door.
Right now you have so much crap on there that it is a hazard to anyone sitting in the front seat wearing anything but black pants.
#27
You could also try something like this,
Or the Meguirs MegX. The Meguiars one is more for clear plastics though.
Or the Meguirs MegX. The Meguiars one is more for clear plastics though.
#28
Everyday I'm rofling
I agree with iseeyoutwo, the only permanent solution to this problem is to remove the source of the scratch, i.e. girlfriend. I'm sorry it has to be this way.
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iSeeYouTwo (05-06-2013)
#29
You could also try something like this,
Novus Polish Kit, Plastic Polish & Scratch Remover : Amazon.com : Automotive
Or the Meguirs MegX. The Meguiars one is more for clear plastics though.
Novus Polish Kit, Plastic Polish & Scratch Remover : Amazon.com : Automotive
Or the Meguirs MegX. The Meguiars one is more for clear plastics though.
Any plastic polish will do just that - polish. That is not what you want when you are starting with a matte, textured surface. Using any kind of polish will just leave a nice shiny spot.
#30
After Aerospace 303 pic
Here is a pic of what it looks like after washing it with soap and water and applying Aerospace 303. It's a definite improvement but still not perfect. I'll chalk it up as a victory since I can live with it. Thanks for the suggestions.
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