Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

MattP725 · 06-16-2012, 02:08 PM

To start off, I'm sorry I didn't take pictures prior to repair but I can assure you this helps.

My lovely gf finds it necessary to wear her gigantic guidette bracelets in my Z. End result is I found several mild scratches in my passenger side center console. I already tried the sharpie method and I know the color match is off. Also tried shoe polish and that didn't match right either so going into this I was looking for a new method.

I researched on the Internet and there didn't seem to be much advice on a good solution. PlastX works on clear plastic and I didn't want to take sand paper to it for fear of removing the black and smoothing the mold. I tried back to black from either mothers or Mequires and it wasn't a great result either.

Basically I remove the rough edges with my finger nail to make it as smooth as possible. Helped to have a heat gun to make the plastic a bit soft. Used low heat for a few seconds at a time. After that the gouge was a bit less noticeable but the coloring was still off. My solution was a BBQ lighter w a butane fluid (the kind that sounds like a rush of wind when you use it). Waved it over each scratch for 1-2 seconds. It either burned the white plastic turning it darker or melted it to smooth it out. Ended up coming out pretty good. Also tried it on a scratch on my door panel. Similar results.

End result was a finish that was tolerable, not perfect. Best comparison was how Dr Colorchip works on the exterior.

Saved me $2-300 on a new console. Hopefully this helps other users with minor to moderate scratches in the interior.

06-16-2012, 02:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	DIY Interior Plastic Scratch Repair To start off, I'm sorry I didn't take pictures prior to repair but I can assure you this helps. My lovely gf finds it necessary to wear her gigantic guidette bracelets in my Z. End result is I found several mild scratches in my passenger side center console. I already tried the sharpie method and I know the color match is off. Also tried shoe polish and that didn't match right either so going into this I was looking for a new method. I researched on the Internet and there didn't seem to be much advice on a good solution. PlastX works on clear plastic and I didn't want to take sand paper to it for fear of removing the black and smoothing the mold. I tried back to black from either mothers or Mequires and it wasn't a great result either. Basically I remove the rough edges with my finger nail to make it as smooth as possible. Helped to have a heat gun to make the plastic a bit soft. Used low heat for a few seconds at a time. After that the gouge was a bit less noticeable but the coloring was still off. My solution was a BBQ lighter w a butane fluid (the kind that sounds like a rush of wind when you use it). Waved it over each scratch for 1-2 seconds. It either burned the white plastic turning it darker or melted it to smooth it out. Ended up coming out pretty good. Also tried it on a scratch on my door panel. Similar results. End result was a finish that was tolerable, not perfect. Best comparison was how Dr Colorchip works on the exterior. Saved me $2-300 on a new console. Hopefully this helps other users with minor to moderate scratches in the interior.