My sister-in-law managed to create an inch long scatch on the aluminum trim along the interior console on my new TL. Does anyone have any experience with fixing these or reducing the visibility of such a scratch? Or, experience with replacing the aluminum trim itself (e.g., if you only replace one side, do they match?, does the replacement fit as well as the factory original? cost, etc.?)?

Thanks for any help or reports on related experiences.

Peter

 

You can replace the trim one at a time, but be prepared to pay upwards of $80. It's simply not worth it. If, however, you take it to a dealership and they manage to scratch it during service, get them to fix it. (Don't put it beneath them to damage the interior of your car, especially the trim - it's happened to me before).

 

Lore,

Thanks for the information. $80 would be a bit to spend to elminate the scratch. But I do find the scratch annoying.

I love how the interior of the TL looks, and the aluminum trim is a very nice part of that look. I much prefer it to fake wood, etc. But I wish the aluminum were not so easily damaged.

Peter

 

Peter,

How did your sister-in-law manage to put the scratch on the aluminum trim?

 

She was holding her own set of car keys in her left hand and turned around to talk to her daughter in the back seat.

 

i have that annoying sscratch too! I dont know how I did it, though. I will just wait until it gets really bad, and cough up the money

 

I also had a series of scratches over time, keys, cell phone, change etc.. But as a previous poster indicated, the dealer scratched my driver side door trim during a repair and fixed both the door and center council as a kind gesture. I appreciated the offer. I am certain over time I will have more scratches. It is a very delicate area. Never thought of it when I bought the vehicle. Looks great when new.

 

In my experience most of the scratches on the aluminum come from being careless and dinging it with the metal part of the seatbelt when buckling up, or if you wear a metal watch and are careless with that. Not knowing this, mine scratched like hell in after a couple of months of ownership, but the dealership replaced at no charge. If you've only had your TL for a little bit, you might see if you can get it fixed under warranty as a material quality issue or something.