smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

I got this nasty scratch from installing my LED mirrors couple years ago. It has been bugging me the whole time and I can't figure out how to remove this successfully. Any ideas?

Someone suggested sharpie but it obviously don't match at all.

LeX2K

You need to replace that trim piece.

smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

Damn, really? I can't buff it out with a porter cable or something?

embolism

no, plastic can't be buffed like paint unfortunately.

It's the reason I keep my passenger seat all the way back even though my wife is only 5'2

I do this because of Newton's fourth law: the height of the woman is inversely proportional to the size of the bag she carries...

eclipsisNA

You might be able to spray it back to its original color. Sand it and then spray.

kickingras

Late reply meant for new readers......try a black crayon on the hard plastic to fill the scratches, then wipe any excess off with clean dry cloth. Result is about 90% better then leaving it as it. It is basically wax so should not harm anything. I did it on my 08 is350 and am pleased with the results. My wife thinks it looks better as well. We are both **** about our car so the bar was set pretty high.

LuxuryGS3

iTrader: (12)

I second this method out of all of them.

Honestly i'd just replace the trim piece though it will definitely make you feel a lot better in the end knowing that it's permanently fixed.

smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

I will definitely try this method. My car looks like crap with all the white marks all over it.

Thanks

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

What about heating the plastic with a heat gun or hair dryer? Melting the top layer ever so slightly might make the scratches darker and blend them in.

Cyanide52

Or maybe even heating a knife and press it onto the surface so the heat doesn't expand the piece

redoctane

either replace it or use stoners shine spray, the crayon trick seems like a good idea

7tisix

I have been able to remove scratches with a Dremel and the dremel polishing kit. I use the small plastic brush at medium speed. I then use rubbing compound on the small buffing tool again at medium speed. I follow up with hand compounding using a foam applicator pad in the general area. If done really good you won't see anything. You may need to follow up with a polish or mild dye if the trim is slightly lighter in the area repaired.

This does take practice, so start off by practicing on somebody else's car. You'd be surprised at how well this works.

7tisix

Here are the Dremel attachments I use