DIY Interior Plastic Scratch Repair

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.

axmea? · 06-16-2012, 03:00 PM

It is a good idea and have done this in other projects (car audio). For those who do not know how to control and take the lighter too close or not monitor distance and heat, could be a big time melt and fail. Not for everyone.

MattP725 · 06-16-2012, 05:36 PM

Def not. Less is def more in this case. Can't get greedy with it or it'll def get worse.

Nak4mura · 01-21-2013, 11:25 PM

black shoe shine did outstanding, I also used the heat gun on trunk spots and found that it left the area more glossy than the rest so the shoe shine was the best way of the many methods I tried

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.

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06-16-2012, 03:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
axmea? A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,235 Drives: WELL ZED PW 6MT Rep Power: 53241	It is a good idea and have done this in other projects (car audio). For those who do not know how to control and take the lighter too close or not monitor distance and heat, could be a big time melt and fail. Not for everyone.

06-16-2012, 05:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Def not. Less is def more in this case. Can't get greedy with it or it'll def get worse.

01-21-2013, 11:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nak4mura Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Puyallup WA Posts: 48 Drives: 2009 Nismo370z Rep Power: 13	black shoe shine did outstanding, I also used the heat gun on trunk spots and found that it left the area more glossy than the rest so the shoe shine was the best way of the many methods I tried