Easily Scratchable Plastic Interior

[BarryIQ]

Seems this problem has been bothering some of us!

Instead of replacing the interior with leather, I am going to try two methods:

1.) Hairdryer method, heat up the plastic area (but not my too much!) then use my finger to gently rub the area till the scratch is gone.

2.) Apply Plastic polish -> http://www.smartmarine.co.nz/plastx-one-step-plastic-cleaner-polish-10-oz-p-7981.html

Will let you guys know about the outcome.

[BarryIQ]

Hairdryer method doesnt work for me...

Maybe I didn't heat it enough due to not using a heat gun or not heating it up for long enough (focus on the scratch for over 3minutes).

[Red Yaris 54]

Hairdryer method doesnt work for me...

Maybe I didn't heat it enough due to not using a heat gun or not heating it up for long enough (focus on the scratch for over 3minutes).

Shall we put the Auckland Fire Brigade on standby????

[BarryIQ]

Hairdryer method doesnt work for me...

Maybe I didn't heat it enough due to not using a heat gun or not heating it up for long enough (focus on the scratch for over 3minutes).

Shall we put the Auckland Fire Brigade on standby????

Haha, that will cost more trouble than sending my car to the workshop... (I wonder if a workshop can fix this anyway...)

[BarryIQ]

The plastic polish is a waste of time and money.

Have also contacted a specialist to fix plastic scratches and he quoted me the job will cost around 100pounds...

[codman]

i have no marks on my plastic whatsoever useing 303 aerospace protectant every 3 months. my car is 13 months old

[BarryIQ]

i have no marks on my plastic whatsoever useing 303 aerospace protectant every 3 months. my car is 13 months old

If thats the case, it might be worthwhile to pay 100pounds to fix the existing scratches and put a layer of aerospace protetant on.

Did you try to close the door while the seatbelt plug is in place between the front seat and the door? Or scratch the plastic with fingernail?

They are the major reason of marks on my doors and I want to know how the protectant do against it.

Thanks for finally putting up post that are contributing

[codman]

no i look before i close my door to make sure no belts r traped , why should i get finger nail marks? my girlfriend has long nails i have no marks on my plastic whatsoever, maybe you need to be more careful with your plastic like i have.

[acetip]

i have no marks on my plastic whatsoever useing 303 aerospace protectant every 3 months. my car is 13 months old

303 aerospace only claim that it guards against ultra violet and cracking not scratching which no treatment can guard against (short of pebble dashing) if you have kids and people your giving a lift to are not carefull then you will get scratches on the cheap trim etc toyota fit.its got nothing to do with hard or soft plastics.

my wifes hyundai has hard plastic and has only one small scratch on door trim (there before she brought iit).if you run a finger nail across its plastic trim it wont mark.do the same on my auris you have scratch.

i purposily scratched a bit of out sight trim in my boot with a finger nail and it left a permanent mark.

the wife seems to be carrying our grandchildren in the back of the hyundai on a near daily basis and they are having a world war 111 every time but no sign of scratching.

if you got no signs of scratches in yor car, its because it has not been scratched. YET.

ive had several cars over my many years,and non have had such poor quality trim in the cabin and boot.

kids toys have better plastics than toyota supply.

talking to a chap with focus. he had wanted auto box and traded in his rav 4 for it.he said the toyota was a great and reliable car but the focus cabin was far better build quality the trim was bullet proof,(his words) compaired to the rav4.he uesd it often for selling flowers etc at markets.so the vehicle got a bit of rough treatment.which the rav could not handle. but he only swopped because of leg problems and needed a auto.

[BarryIQ]

i have no marks on my plastic whatsoever useing 303 aerospace protectant every 3 months. my car is 13 months old

303 aerospace only claim that it guards against ultra violet and cracking not scratching which no treatment can guard against (short of pebble dashing) if you have kids and people your giving a lift to are not carefull then you will get scratches on the cheap trim etc toyota fit.its got nothing to do with hard or soft plastics.

my wifes hyundai has hard plastic and has only one small scratch on door trim (there before she brought iit).if you run a finger nail across its plastic trim it wont mark.do the same on my auris you have scratch.

i purposily scratched a bit of out sight trim in my boot with a finger nail and it left a permanent mark.

the wife seems to be carrying our grandchildren in the back of the hyundai on a near daily basis and they are having a world war 111 every time but no sign of scratching.

if you got no signs of scratches in yor car, its because it has not been scratched. YET.

ive had several cars over my many years,and non have had such poor quality trim in the cabin and boot.

kids toys have better plastics than toyota supply.

talking to a chap with focus. he had wanted auto box and traded in his rav 4 for it.he said the toyota was a great and reliable car but the focus cabin was far better build quality the trim was bullet proof,(his words) compaired to the rav4.he uesd it often for selling flowers etc at markets.so the vehicle got a bit of rough treatment.which the rav could not handle. but he only swopped because of leg problems and needed a auto.

Agree with that, no matter how hard I do to protect the IQ, there is always chance that other people leave mark on it unless I never carry other people on board

[MarkyPancake]

I've got two noticeable marks on some of the black plastic (updated interior iQ3), one on the bit my the door where I caught it with a rubber soled show and another in the boot where something in a food shopping back has rubbed against it. A bit poor in my opinion, especially as there was no force applied in both instances.

[BarryIQ]

I've got two noticeable marks on some of the black plastic (updated interior iQ3), one on the bit my the door where I caught it with a rubber soled show and another in the boot where something in a food shopping back has rubbed against it. A bit poor in my opinion, especially as there was no force applied in both instances.

I was so looking forward to see someone reply with a solution to their scratches... but I get disappointed everytime :(

Guess there is no easy fix to this issue

[acetip]

I've got two noticeable marks on some of the black plastic (updated interior iQ3), one on the bit my the door where I caught it with a rubber soled show and another in the boot where something in a food shopping back has rubbed against it. A bit poor in my opinion, especially as there was no force applied in both instances.

I was so looking forward to see someone reply with a solution to their scratches... but I get disappointed everytime :(

Guess there is no easy fix to this issue

hi again

when i first got auris i showed it to a chap i know who is the forman at a local independent garage.and asked his advice about the scratches on plastic trim. he gave a part used tube of plastic paint.its called PLASTIC PAINT, PLAST-PT.its made by ADOLF WORTH GmbH & Co.KG (soounds german)anyway never seemed to get around to try it out.

but after reading post om here and yes i dont have i an IQ but we are all in the same boat.i tried this product on a couple of scratches in the boot yesterday.you apply it with a damp foam pad.and it seems to work ok.i treated the whole piece of trim incase the colour did not match,though it seems very close it has to be applied evenly though.it looks far better when its completely dry,and its a job to get off your fingers when it is dry.some of the plastic on the auris that scratched are not black,and i dont know if they do this product in a choice of colours.

so first impressions seem very good,but wont do the rest of the car till spring (warmer).of course this will not protect against further scratches.

i found this firms website but no mention of the plastic paint,but i sure you clever lads are far better at searching than i am.

[mrpj]

These http://www.performancemotorcare.com/acatalog/Autoglym_Magic_Sponge_Scuff_and_Mark_Remover.html do work but only for removing minor scuffs and scratches. Care needs to be taken not to rub too hard though. Try an inconspicuous place first!

[BarryIQ]

These http://www.performancemotorcare.com/acatalog/Autoglym_Magic_Sponge_Scuff_and_Mark_Remover.html do work but only for removing minor scuffs and scratches. Care needs to be taken not to rub too hard though. Try an inconspicuous place first!

Worth a shot from the description, its not expensive either. Hopefully someone from UK can test it out :)

[BarryIQ]

Ok, got a reply from Toyota regarding this... and sure I am going to share with everyone :)

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Dear Mr XXXXX

Thank you for taking the time to contact Toyota (GB) PLC with regards to your Toyota iQ.

I was interested to read your comments relating to the interior plastic on your Toyota and I am sorry to hear that you are disappointed by this aspect of the car’s design and have found this material to mark easily.

We very much value the feedback we receive from Toyota customers and use this to drive our constant programme of improvement. I regret that we have no solution to this concern and are currently unable to change this product. However, it is important to review and collate valuable comments and this is why I would recommend that, if you haven’t done so already, you visit your local Toyota Centre to report this concern in order that this can be highlighted to our Technical and Product Marketing Departments for consideration. I feel sure that your comments will highlight some important issues and may provide a catalyst for change in the future.

I do hope that this aspect does not detract from your overall enjoyment of your car, and thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

Yours sincerely

Sophie XXXXXX

Customer Relations Executive

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There is no solution from Toyota at the moment but at least they give me a response instead of leaving my enquiry in their helpdesk queue forever

[mrpj]

These http://www.performancemotorcare.com/acatalog/Autoglym_Magic_Sponge_Scuff_and_Mark_Remover.html do work but only for removing minor scuffs and scratches. Care needs to be taken not to rub too hard though. Try an inconspicuous place first!

Worth a shot from the description, its not expensive either. Hopefully someone from UK can test it out :)

I have one in my garage Barry, used it a couple of times with positive results on scuff marks and scratching on the plastic trim at the bottom of the doors on a Vauxhall Meriva (now disposed of thankfully). However, I've not tried one with major scratches, so can't comment on results for those. I don't see any reason why removal of MINOR scratches shouldn't be possible.Might not work on the scratches reported in this thread though as it sounds like they are quite comprehensive?!

I would just advise not to be too ambitious as the pad does seem to be mildly abrasive!