Dash repairs

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Hi all,

We picked up our Prado on Saturday. Very happy with it.

But I am amazed at the things I missed when inspecting the Prado twice before buying. Must have been the emotion of the purchase causing the "love is blind" theory to come into effect!!!

One was a nice big stone chip/dent on the front mudguard next to the bonnet, but most annoying things are two obvious scratches on the dash padded section. They don't appear deep...more like something has been resting against it and rubbed while driving. They are not "cuts" as such, more like a hevy "buffing" in the shape of a scratch, if you know what I mean.

Does anyone know how to have these repaired without making it more obvious? It appears the detailer has wiped the area with something such as armorall (it looks shiny around the marks), but the marks are still there.

Any advice would be appreciated.

David

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

Hi David,

Welcome to Pradopoint, i don't know where your from as your location has not been entered.
Which ever state you are in there would be vinyl repair people who could fix your problem and if they are like the W.A repairers they are mobile and will come to you.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Ok, thanks.

Do they do a good job, or is it better to leave "as-is"?

I always worry about touch-ups on such conspicuous areas...

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

The paints they use today are very good and if you are worried about the quality of workmanship maybe contact a few local car yards and ask who they use or recommend.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Sorry, I meant to ask if the work done is normally noticeable, or do the techniques now (especially on such a large, in-your-face area such as a dash), allow the repair to be completely invisible.

Wouldn't want to turn a smallish thing into a big...

You know what I mean.

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

The guys i use in W.A use light meters to get the colour match perfect,but you will need to inquire maybe with some car yards or motor trimmers and ask there advise on who is best to do your job in your area.
If they cant recommend someone you may have to cover it with a dash mat.

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

on the coast i would recommend "trim doctor".
nice bloke, mobile, inexpensive, and does a good job.

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

I use a dash cleaner on the rav dash that took some colour off it and after much bitching and moaning to toyota dealer he had a dash repair guy fix it, looked like new. look up the yellow pages, plenty people out their or contact the dealer. Can suggest you just try some armor oil first to see how it comes up.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Hi guys, thanks for your responses.

I have found a cure, but I need to have a look at it in daylight to see how successful it is:

Because the damage is more a "graze" than a "scratch", and because the dash is black and the graze is grey/white-ish in colour without too much damage to the grain, I thought I would try some black boot-polish, considering scratches on boots are covered up with this stuff.

It worked.

I put some boot-polish on my finger and gently massaged it into the graze. It instantly went away. And with some buffing over the area with my palm, it blended it in better than ever. There is still an area of difference, but nowhere near as bad as a white graze on a black dash.

So something to remember: Try a little black boot polish (I used Kiwi brand) if ever you have some marks on your dash vinyl you want to hide.

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

David, try doing the whole dash now with a armor oil or something should help bring the whole dash up to a shiny standard.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

I was thinking of that but though perhaps the armorall would take the boot polish of where the graze is....

Will give it a go, though. Might work...will advise.

Cheers.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

I also have some scratches on the silver inserts in the door trims/ashtrays on each door.

Could trim doctor fix these, too, or would they require a re-spray considering it appears to be silver/grey paint that has been rubbed off?

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

Not trying to be cute, but would a dash mat cover them?

I have a dash mat in my car (not to cover anything though) but am happy with it - Supercheap auto

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

I also have some scratches on the silver inserts in the door trims/ashtrays on each door.

Could trim doctor fix these, too, or would they require a re-spray considering it appears to be silver/grey paint that has been rubbed off?

Paint or go to a wreckers and get a newer set.

[David See Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David See]

Not trying to be cute, but would a dash mat cover them?

I have a dash mat in my car (not to cover anything though) but am happy with it - Supercheap auto

I thought of that but, personally, have never seen the point of a dash mat. Might be a good option, though.