Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

[rvrichards8913]

Hi,

This might be my first post, I don't remember. I haven't been on here in several years, but I just bought a 2016 Nissan Maxima, and want to keep it nice. The interior is mostly in decent shape except this area on this little door on the console. Its black plastic, and its just scratched up SO badly. I'm not even sure how that happens, but its there and I want it gone. Google searches have yielded the use of either PlastX or ScratchX 2.0 as removing scratches in interior trim, but everything I've seen has nothing as severe as this.

I thought I'd come here rather and get good advice than making my own mis-educated guess from the Interwebs.

I have photos, but my profile says I'm not allowed to post attachments, so I need help on that, too!

I can embedded them, but the resolution is so high that the photos are huge!

Thank you!

[Nick Winn]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

Hi,

This might be my first post, I don't remember. I haven't been on here in several years, but I just bought a 2016 Nissan Maxima, and want to keep it nice. The interior is mostly in decent shape except this area on this little door on the console. Its black plastic, and its just scratched up SO badly. I'm not even sure how that happens, but its there and I want it gone. Google searches have yielded the use of either PlastX or ScratchX 2.0 as removing scratches in interior trim, but everything I've seen has nothing as severe as this.

I thought I'd come here rather and get good advice than making my own mis-educated guess from the Interwebs.

I have photos, but my profile says I'm not allowed to post attachments, so I need help on that, too!

I can embedded them, but the resolution is so high that the photos are huge!

Thank you!

Hi rvrichards,

Photos would be good, yes. If you download an image resizer, this will allow you to upload them to the in forum gallery, then copy, & paste into the thread. (got to love forum operating systems..)

[rvrichards8913]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

Thanks for the tip on submitting photos, Nick. Here's a couple of shots. I assume what is done for the door can be done on all the trim surrounding it.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

To be completely honest, if you are going for the absolute best results, in defect removal, finish/gloss left behind, and protection, my first suggestion would be to find an auto detailer who has experience in working on this interior plastic material. It's a tough task, if your going to best results. You will be able to improve the appearance trying something on your own, by hand, how much improvement is tough to say, these defects would be categorized as severe. Below is a video from Larry Kosilla on this subject.

[rvrichards8913]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

To be completely honest, if you are going for the absolute best results, in defect removal, finish/gloss left behind, and protection, my first suggestion would be to find an auto detailer who has experience in working on this interior plastic material. It's a tough task, if your going to best results. You will be able to improve the appearance trying something on your own, by hand, how much improvement is tough to say, these defects would be categorized as severe. Below is a video from Larry Kosilla on this subject.

Thanks, Nick. I have a detailer in my town that I can ask if they have experience with trim like this. Short of that, is there a product and technique I can use to lessen the scratches? I'm also looking to do the rest of the black trim as well. If I can lessen the severity of those scratches on that little door, I would probably be satisfied with that. It is a used car, after all.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

Scratch X 2.0 applied with a soft foam applicator pad would be a good start. Although, I imagine it's not going to leave behind the best finish, like described in the ammo video. You would want to follow with a polish to refine the gloss, like our Ultimate Polish or M210 Ultra Pro Finishing Polish.

[rvrichards8913]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

Scratch X 2.0 applied with a soft foam applicator pad would be a good start. Although, I imagine it's not going to leave behind the best finish, like described in the ammo video. You would want to follow with a polish to refine the gloss, like our Ultimate Polish or M210 Ultra Pro Finishing Polish.

Thanks, Nick. Hopefully it can be improved, either by a detailer or my own hand. I appreciate the advice.

[Murr1525]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

Thanks, Nick. Hopefully it can be improved, either by a detailer or my own hand. I appreciate the advice.

Or check for a used one...

[Nick Winn]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

Or check for a used one...

Didn't think of that! Maybe even a new replacement lid would be inexpensive & easy to install?

[rvrichards8913]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

UPDATE: I took all of the advice given here (thank you), and bought some ScratchX to begin the process of seeing what could be done. Then I decided it wouldn't hurt to see what Ultimate Polish would do on its own (already owned it). Its supposed to take fine swirls out of paint, and I am guessing it ranks among the most gentle of the Meguiar's abrasive solutions. First I taped off the area surrounding the door. Then I took a foam applicator with UP, rubbed the door one minute each time, then removed polish with a microfiber towel. What you see here is the result after five applications. At first I went with the grain of the scratches, then perpendicular, then the last three were in circular motions. Not sure it mattered though. So, without further ado, here are the results:





Now, its not perfect, but you have to admit it looks MUCH BETTER than it did. I would have kept going with more applications, but time was short and the lighting was bad. Although I knew it had improved last night, I didn't get to really see it until daylight this morning. I believe with a few more applications, the scratches will be lessened even more. Now the issue is that the trim around it looks worse, so I just created a sub-project!!! I bought the car this way, and am so happy to have this eye sore resolved!

I am posting this in hopes of helping those who are unsure of how to get scratches out of the glossy plastic trim in their interiors. Ultimate Polish + Foam Applicator x multiple applications = massive reduction in scratched surface!!!!

[Nick Winn]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

Looks much better! Thanks for following up & feel free to keep us updated!

[DetailingDoak]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

That looks tons better! Great job!

[rvrichards8913]

Re: Interior Plastic surfaces scratched badly-which product and how to use?

That looks tons better! Great job!

Thanks! Of course, now I will have to polish the rest of the trim match. I doubt I will be able to stand it for long. An obsession might be forming here...