Removing very fine scratches from black interior plastics

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Has anyone tried removing the ultra fine scratches that appear on the black interior plastics around the gear lever and centre console? Can the be polished with a plastic polish? Also, I have noticed the same fine scratches on the clear plastic covering the air conditioning and clock screen. Would plastic polish be ok for this?

I have to say, for a vehicle marketed as an Outback tourer, the durability of the interior surfaces is terrible. I'm extremely careful with mine and it still has tiny hairline scratches.

Cheers, Sam.

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Re: Removing very fine scratches from black interior plastics

Sam,
How does plastic polish work? I don't know of anything that gets scratches out of plastic, but here's a tip on cleaning it. I've always used warm water instead of say, ArmorAll. An old client of mine, a car enthusiast who refurbishes classic cars, advised me to stay clear of ArmorAll as it makes the colour on the trim fade over time as well as eats through threading/stitching (for instance the stitching on the steering wheel).

Cheers

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

Re: Removing very fine scratches from black interior plastics

Brasso is an effective polish for plastic. I have not tried it on the interior trim of the Prado but it works a treat on items such as headlights and tail lights etc. I had a bad mark on a headlight on an Astra and brasso took it off no problem.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Removing very fine scratches from black interior plastics

There are some other posts in the forums about how people have used soldering torches or similar to soften the plastic trim in the 120's to allow marks to be covered over. Have a look but only proceed if you think you know what you are doing.

EDIT:
Here is one of the posts:
Removing intenal scuff marks?

[cookymonsta Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cookymonsta]

Re: Removing very fine scratches from black interior plastics

I don't know if I am imagining things, but the 150 seems to mark very easily compared to the 120. I wasn't very careful with the 120 and am trying to be a bit careful with the 150, but all the plastics seem to mark extremely easily. The silver on the gear lever is scratched (rub marks) - the rear tailgate from items rubbing, dash black plastics from sunglasses, wallets etc. I'm not overly concerned, it's just that with 10,000kms and a couple months old I can't wait to see what it looks like in 3 years or so ops:

[William Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close William]

Re: Removing very fine scratches from black interior plastics

I don't know if I am imagining things, but the 150 seems to mark very easily compared to the 120. I wasn't very careful with the 120 and am trying to be a bit careful with the 150, but all the plastics seem to mark extremely easily. The silver on the gear lever is scratched (rub marks) - the rear tailgate from items rubbing, dash black plastics from sunglasses, wallets etc. I'm not overly concerned, it's just that with 10,000kms and a couple months old I can't wait to see what it looks like in 3 years or so ops:

Do what zerosecta did and vinyl wrap some plastic Can't do much about the rest of the plastic but be more careful. I've noticed a few scratches on my rear tailgate too.