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View Full Version : Removing scratches off of plastic interior pieces...What is the best compound?

Neo-Maikeru
11-20-2005, 01:20 PM
From taking off/putting back interior pieces for various things time to time, doing installs, etc. some plastic pieces in my interior are getting a bit scrated up. These scratches are not dingernail deep or anything and when I rub them they feel smooth so I know that they can be removed. There are various compounds out there to remove scratches but I am not sure which one is the best. Has anyone ever tried any of them? Please give me your input.
TurDz
11-20-2005, 01:30 PM
It's tough. I have been detailing for a few years and have done it as a side business, but I never found a great product or method to remove surface scratches on plastics.

If it helps, clear plastic (such as your speedometer cluster) can be nicely fixed with Meguiar's Plastic Cleaner followed with the Polish. They are very effective products and only take a few minutes of hand buffing to achieve great results. I never tried it on black or dark plastics, and I doubt it will work.
Irukandji
11-20-2005, 01:30 PM
well... i tried doing this...

it was a BIG time waster...

i tried all sorts of sandpaper

anything below 400 is too rough


i used 2000 wet sand paper but it took a very long time.

in my opinion, not worth it.

check prices on new parts at nissan, i'm sure theyre reasonably priced
Neo-Maikeru
11-20-2005, 01:42 PM
Well that is bad news, I thought there was a cheap solution. You say that the sandpaper was not worth it and it took a lot of time but did it end up working or did it not do anything at all? It sucks because when I was installing my deck I was not paying attention and the two metal brackets were rubbing against the plastic and scratching it when I was plugging the harness in and messing with some wires.
NemeGuero
11-20-2005, 01:44 PM
try using armorall and a sponge. if they aren't deep, it'll sort of cover them up and blend them in.
Neo-Maikeru
11-20-2005, 01:51 PM
try using armorall and a sponge. if they aren't deep, it'll sort of cover them up and blend them in.

Heh, I just used armor all on all of my interior pieces. Now I do a search on armor all and people are saying it destroys and cracks your dash over time...Well I hope my one application of it does not harm my car in the long run.
TheSparo
11-20-2005, 01:56 PM
i thought armor all was supposed to protect your dash from cracking?? i've had my s13 dash for a whle and used armor all and no cracks at all
NemeGuero
11-20-2005, 01:58 PM
Supposedly it 'dries' it out. But thats basically if its left in direct HOT sunlight for extended periods of time, regularly.
NemeGuero
11-20-2005, 01:59 PM
and if you do it regularly, you won't have problems. Its when you do it at random times and don't keep it clean. It's like crack, they make you NEED it.
Neo-Maikeru
11-20-2005, 02:08 PM
and if you do it regularly, you won't have problems. Its when you do it at random times and don't keep it clean. It's like crack, they make you NEED it.

Well personally I did not like the look that it gave my dash, it looked too "wet". I did it about an hour ago but I just went to my car and wiped it all down with a wet rag for a while, maybe this got some of it off before it started to soak in.

Also, the previous owner of my dash got permanent marker on my center console in some spots and the only thing that would get it off was rubbing alcohol. I know that alcohol is terrible for any type of interior part but like I said, I just wiped the entire car down so hopefully it got the alcohol off. It sure looks better w/o the marker all over it now though, hopefully I don't see any cracks in the future.
NemeGuero
11-20-2005, 02:33 PM
the sun will cause cracks whether it looks like they're coming or not.
Neo-Maikeru
11-20-2005, 02:34 PM
the sun will cause cracks whether it looks like they're coming or not.

Nah, I mean did my one time application of armor all make it so I always have to use it now? I really was not impressed with the look it gave. I tried to wipe it off with a wet rag and it came off somewhat.
TurDz
11-20-2005, 02:43 PM
No, it shoudn't be too bad if you didn't let the Armor All sit for too long. BTW, I really don't like that stuff. Such a marketing gimmick, and it really does make your dash look used and "oily."

For any interior parts I always just use a wet rag and wipe it down. If it's really dirty (say, from a track event), a very small amount of dish soap will be fine.
Neo-Maikeru
11-20-2005, 02:49 PM
No, it shoudn't be too bad if you didn't let the Armor All sit for too long. BTW, I really don't like that stuff. Such a marketing gimmick, and it really does make your dash look used and "oily."

For any interior parts I always just use a wet rag and wipe it down. If it's really dirty (say, from a track event), a very small amount of dish soap will be fine.

It let it sit on my dash for an hour or so..Ah well, cant do anything about it now. Hopefully no cracks will form. Yea it made my dash look terrible, so shiny, just wiped it all off thankfully. It also made some pieces a darker black than others so everything looked all discolored.
Irukandji
11-20-2005, 02:52 PM
honestly. i think all that armor all cracking is bullshit. my dad has been using armor all on his dads maxima every 6 months of so for the 8 past years, AND he parks it outside our house in the sun.


not a single crack
NemeGuero
11-20-2005, 02:58 PM
Like I said above, it has to do with keeping it regularly armoralled. I like the look, looks new and clean..
Irukandji
11-20-2005, 03:00 PM
applying every 6 months isnt considered regular? keep in mind i live in the city right next to yours, so our dashes face the same weather conditions. 8 years w/ armor and no cracks...
TurDz
11-20-2005, 03:10 PM
Yeah, I doubt it accelerates cracking, but it just looks plain cheap and greasy. I don't think in any of my family's cars we've had cracking dashes.
NemeGuero
11-20-2005, 03:15 PM
No no no, regular upkeep PREVENTS cracking. Sorry for the confusion.