Your car’s inside plastic becomes scuffed up over time due to normal use. It’s simple to scratch, but it’s also easy to fix. However, you must adhere to a particular set of guidelines in order to get the best possible outcome.
Using a variety of procedures, we were able to find two that worked best for restoring the appearance of scratched plastic. In this post, you will learn how to remove scratches from the inside plastic of your automobile, as well as how to avoid further damage.
Why Scratches Appear on Car Interior?
Scratches may unavoidably appear on your car’s interior plastics and other pieces, no matter how careful you are when handling them. The harsh minerals in the air are to blame for this.
When you open the windows while driving, microscopic particles from the air brush against the plastic, causing it to be damaged. Plastic, on the other hand, is prone to nicks and dings from constant use. Plastic may be scratched by your nails, keys, coins, and more.
How to Remove Scratches From Car Interior Plastic?
Scratches may be removed from the interior of a car using various plastic repair methods. However, we advocate utilizing any of the two techniques we’ve outlined here. Using these approaches is both safe and simple –
a) Removing Scratches With Heat Gun
Every automobile owner can try this procedure without the assistance of an expert. Less work, less money and less time are required yet the outcome is excellent.
- Estimated Cost: 15 USD
- Estimated Runtime: 15 Minutes.
- Supplies required: Grain Pad, Microfiber Cloth, Plastic Cleaner, and Masking Tape (not pictured)….
- Needed Equipment: A Heat Gun
i. Clean the Surface
Vacuum off any stray dust before you begin removing scratches. After that, use a microfiber cloth and a vehicle interior plastic cleaner to wipe off the surface.
As we are going to heat the plastic, any leftover dust will be permanently affixed to the surface. To ensure a smooth and scratch-free plastic surface, be sure to thoroughly clean it.
Isopropyl alcohol has been recommended by some to remove dust from the surface. However, this should not be used on any plastic surfaces. Plastic can change color when rubbing alcohol is used to clean metal or glass.
ii. Mark the Area
After scrubbing, cover the scratched area with a layer of plastic. It will shield the surrounding area from the heat. Masking tape can be used to indicate the region, although we don’t advise it. Instead, use adhesive tape to secure a piece of cloth or paper towel in the corners.
Masking tape that melts when exposed to heat might make your job more difficult. However, if there are no buttons or other electrical components near the scratched region, you can omit this step.
iii. Apply Moderate Heat
Begin applying heat to the surface from a distance of 4 to 6 inches. Keep heating the surface in a back-and-forth motion if you see the surface growing heated and scratches starting to melt away.
You should distribute the heat uniformly throughout the surface, but also move in circles at intervals. Plastic can soften for a short period of time. Do not be rushed.
As a result, your car’s interior will look worse than ever if you use excessive heat on the plastic. That’s why we advocate a methodical approach in order to get the best results. As an alternative to using a heat gun, you can use a hairdryer. However, a heat gun is a must.
iv. Use Grain Pads
Pressing grain pad on soft surface to produce texture on the plastic as scratches fade away is a step in this process. Searching the grain pad is unnecessary.
If you spend too much time on the procedure, you’ll end up with a surface that’s impossible to replicate. If you want to use the grain pad when the plastic is soft, keep it near to where you are working.
v. Let it Cool Down
If you’ve followed all of these steps, you’ll have a clean surface to work with in no time at all! Within a few minutes, the plastic interior should have cooled off.
If it’s hot outside, you may quickly chill the ground by turning on your car’s air conditioner. After the surface reaches a comfortable temperature, apply a little amount of plastic cleanser to sanitize it.
b) Plastic Repair Kit Method
You may also use a scratch remover for plastic. In comparison to the previous approaches we’ve explored, this one is rather straightforward. Apply a plastic scratch remover, clean the surface, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
As a result, there will be visible mending scars on the surface when these scratch erasing kits are completed. A textured surface from the plastic filler kits is quite uncommon. In order to get rid of the scratched inside, we strongly recommend that you use the first technique.
1. Can You Remove Scratches From Car Interior Vinyl?
Yes, the procedure is similar to the one we use with a heat gun. In order to achieve the textured look you desire, you will first need to thoroughly clean the surface before marking it with an adhesive tape stencil and cleaning the vinyl with heat. Use the approach to remove small scratches from plastic trim, dashboards and other common household objects.
2. How to Remove Scratches From Glossy Plastic of Car Interior?
[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4an83rCMPK0″]
If you own a high-end vehicle and see tiny or deep scratches in the interior plastics, don’t panic! You could get a headache out of this. Doing this on your own isn’t recommended because it’s quite difficult and you may easily make mistakes. This can only be done with polish and a gloss finishing tool. Here’s a great video to show you how it all works.
c) How to Prevent Scratches on Plastic & Vinyl?
Now that the plastic in your car’s inside has been repaired, it’s critical that you take extra care to avoid scuffs. This will save you the time and effort of having to repeat the process in a few months. Here are a few things you should keep in mind-
- When traveling at a high rate of speed, keep the windows closed. As a result, the surface will not be scratched again by airborne hard minerals.
- Make sure you don’t drive with any abrasive materials, such as sand or metal. Plastic is readily scratched by these particles.
- A portable vacuum cleaner should be kept in your car so that you may remove dust before using any cleaner. Plastic may be scratched by wiping the surface without removing sand or steel.
- To keep your automobile looking new and free of dings and scratches, make sure you clean the inside and outside on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Try out the technique on a different surface to get a sense of how it works before doing it on your own. A little amount of scratched plastic can be tested to determine if it works. If it’s a success, go ahead and do a complete restoration.
