Color Molded Bumpers & Door Guards

[starflt]

I have a 2003 4Runner with the color molded (not painted) bumpers and lower door guards, and already I'm picking up some scratches and door scuffs. Any ideas how to buff these out of this kind of plastic?

 

[momo.75]

If the scratches are through the paint, of course you can't buff them out. If they are just deep scratches in the paint, but not all the way through, you might be able to wet-sand them with very fine paper, then polish, and then finish up with wax.

 

[starflt]

But these are not painted. They are plastic color molded all the way through in a contrasting color, and a fairly soft plastic at that.

 

[momo.75]

Do you have the gray cladding or do you have the same color cladding as the rest of your truck?

 

[toybox]

momo

I believe he is talking about the same grey cladding as you have (I also have it but with no scratches in it yet)

 

[momo.75]

I haven't really had to deal with any scratches on my cladding yet. I don't know how to deall with scratches on this stuff. It seems like anything you try will stand out.

 

[starflt]

It is the gray cladding, and unfortunately, my wife is famous for collecting door dings everywhere she goes. I tried silicon products like Armor All, etc. but any masking benefits are very temporary at best. Any ideas, anyone?

 

[momo.75]

It is the gray cladding, and unfortunately, my wife is famous for collecting door dings everywhere she goes. I tried silicon products like Armor All, etc. but any masking benefits are very temporary at best. Any ideas, anyone?

Take her keys away.....:yesyes:

 

[Woodbert]

Take her keys away.....:yesyes:

Hehe

 

[jharris2]

Take her keys away.....:yesyes:

But are you sure you can live with the consequences?

 

[Guest]

I have a 2003 4Runner with the color molded (not painted) bumpers and lower door guards, and already I'm picking up some scratches and door scuffs. Any ideas how to buff these out of this kind of plastic?

Look carefully at the grey cladding. There is a slight mettallic effect in the plastic. Does this go into the scratches or is it painted on the surface?

When I first saw the cladding, I noticed the silver(ish) coating and assumed they painted that on top. (btw, nice detail Toyota)

Try some paint cleaner or mild rubbing compound on the scratches. That might help.

 

[starflt]

Unfortunately, my wife loves the 4Runner. I think the consequences of taking it away would be far worse than the alternative. The metallic and color seen to be throughout the cladding, not just painted on. I did try some rubbing compound, but it made the area cloudy in general. I'm wondering if there isn't a product made specifically for this type of molded plastic. Any body shop guys out there?