Some of my interior panels have gotten a little roughed up over the years, and I would like to try and fix them.

Does anybody have a technique for getting scratches out of their plastic panels/center console? I don't want to just jump in there with sandpaper since they have a texture to them and I don't want random smooth areas.

 

There is no real way to get rid of them without doing something obviously noticeable. Usually the areas that get scratched up are door sill trims and the lower parts of door panels, and at the same time get dirt embedded into the plastic. Usually what really makes these scuffs and scratches stand out is the dirt embedded in. What I like to do is use some car polish and hand polish the dirt out of these areas. Cleans the dirt out very well and makes scuffs and scratches less noticeable.

Works for me anyway.

 

wrap it in leather

 

I know you can get treat faded plastic using a heat gun or a hair dryer. I don't know if it will remove scratches but I think I remember seeing somewhere that it would. I would research that method, I've used it on my faded plastic on my truck and it came out great!

 

I've heard of the heat gun, but it's not all that easy. There is a tendency to warp the plastic if it gets too hot-especially if the piece is sitting on something other than where it is installed. You could burn the area, discoloring it or causing it to become shinier or duller. The part has to be EXTREMELY clean or you could imbed chemical or pollutants into the plastic, causing discoloration and/or variations in the finish.

Bottom line, try this on a spare piece (if you have one) or pic up a similar piece in a junk yard for cheap and try it on that.

 

I have tried the heat gun method and it has done very well. The results were not perfect, but they did make the area look a lot better! Where the scratches weren't bad, it looked like it came out of the showroom. The deeper scratches did fade slightly, but are still there, just not as noticeable. I highly recommend the heat gun method, but be very, very, very careful not to warp the plastic! You can also use the heat gun to make your sun faded plastic cowling at the base of the windshield look almost like new. Again you must be very careful not to overheat and warp the plastic.

 

What exactly is the process on this? I was about to go through the process of removing mine and painting it. This sounds much easier and could get the results I'm looking for.

Thanks!

 

 

 

This works! Did half my car then my cheap *** Harbor Freight heat gun just died. Hopefully its got a thermal shutoff, got it in the freezer now. Its like a fricken magic eraser! Just be careful of vinyl or rubber bits and sheild them. I used a paint scraper as a sheild .

 

BTW I was talking about the interior plastics, but I see how it might be used on the exterior as well watching the video.

 

Awesome !! Thanks! Gonna try this!

Anyone used this method on the black area behind the side mirrors? This seems to be a little different plastic. More of a softer feel. Trying not to ruin anything.

Thanks

 

Never thought about using a heat gun to restore faded plastic. Thanks for the tip.

I always tried to mask it over by applying products to make it shine so that it isn't noticeable.

 

Back to Black with a low speed orbital buffer. Not even kidding, I'm SUPER picky
on my interior being stock and clean, I used Mothers BtoB with my small buffer, filled
in all the blemishes.