How do I fix scratches on the interior plastic/dashboard?
 

I got about 4 scratches spread about in my car no longer than an inch, but it's annoying because I know exactly where they all are.

I haven't heard of repairing this material before, and was hoping that someone here has had a similar experience, and ended up fixing the problem.

I've used this trick for many years. You can use either a hair dryer or a heat gun, set on low.

This is for minor scratches:

Heat the area, be cautious to not get to close to melt the plastic. Then you just rub them out with your fingers by applying firm pressure while its hot and they disappear.

If you are unsure try a kick panel first, you will see how it works. As far as the Dash, be very careful, since it has a textured surface.

YMMV...

Again, take a heat gun or hair dryer and heat up the scratch. Do a little section at a time.

Do not, I repeat, do not direct the hot air on the plastic long enough to melt or get extemely hot.

Just to the point where its very very warm to the touch and pliable. Then just use your fingers and use firm pressure and rub out the scratches.

For deep scratches you may need to fill the area, so this technique will not completely take them out, but will improve the scratch tremendously.

good tip! I have 2 small scratches as well that were very small and have been there since day 1! I think I will try it at the end of the year before I put it away for the year and do my interior up for the pre-storage cleaning.

ah, alright i'll give that a shot when i get some free time finally.

BEFORE
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...Picture026.jpg

AFTER
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/a...Picture032.jpg

I did the old sharpie treatment. First I sprayed a layer of armor all to get it cleaned and coated. Then i took a fine tip black sharpie and dotted along the scratch...rubbing it in as I go. Don't dot too much, otherwise you'll see a black line instead of a blended scratch. Eventually it blends the scratch to the point where you can't even notice it. I'd try this first before risking heating the plastic.

There was an even deeper one on the right door panel...and it worked great.

Pretty impressive... I've never seen anyone use a sharpie to fix that, but good job!!

This afternoon I ended up scratching my interior in a couple spots when attempting to move a large painting that had a metal frame (this was a bad idea - had to drop the top just to fit it in.. should have been an indicator to call a friend right there).

Anyway, the scratches were really bugging me, so after looking around my apartment for something to fix the spots, I came across my shoe polish and decided to give it a shot.

Ended up working pretty well and the scratches disappeared. A couple notes if you try this: don't use much polish at all, and make sure that you remove the excess polish, or it could come off on a passenger's clothing.

I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, so try at your own risk. Just thought I'd share what worked for me today.

My girlfriend is telling me to tell you guys... "lick your finger and wipe it.":confused:

yah, a quick way to get a stomach virus if you hadn't washed your hands. :icon18:

ive mentioned this before, but the best way to prevent scratches is to coat it with protectant while the car is new (before scratches). i use Prima Nero. i accidentally kick the door panel and near the sidesills getting in/out of the car frequently but no scratches. :p

check out detailersdomain.com for Nero... or your local car parts store and get aerospace303. they are nearly the same but Nero has a more matte finish.

I tried in my 350Z to used a sharpie and it looks like poop! :shakes head:

The heat gun method works really well, just have to be patient and careful as it is very time consuming, I noticed with my first Z when we installed the Z120BT that was a massive amount of scratches on the center console, I was not happy, but used the heat gun method and it came out pretty good. But I definitely have to agree with Kenchan, while the car is still new soak those plastic panels in a protectant of some sort. I just use amor all diluted with a little bit of water

I was replacing my dome lights and scratched the plastic...really deep :/ Should I try the heat gun method or just replace that plastic piece?

:tup:exactly what was suggested to me...alcheng suggested it too.

:confused: so i should really use it on ALL the plastics in the cabin? Smh. I am so clueless sometimes.

Gl Op!!! Let us know how it goes!

The pinheads that did the nav installation left a couple of small gouges. They're deeper than the scuffs NAYTCH showed but not really what I'd call a scratch. They're just on the surface. DO you think the heat method would work on it? The gouge is small and right in the center of the picture. It's kind of a sideways Z shaped thing southwest of the handbrake release a couple of inches.

http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/...ps15926158.jpg

Or you could get the Gtr ones which are much nicer looking