Scratches on cladding

[robsrunner]

Looks like I have a swipe from a shopping cart on my passenger side cladding. What do you guys use on yours? Seems like soft plastic like the fender flares. Is Scratch X or polish to much for these? I don't want to haze them up.

How hard is it to remove the cladding? If I can't get the scratches out I might have it touched up by a body shop.

Thanks (07 Sport)

 

[4runnerndachi]

Hey man I have the same problem. I have a big scratch on a piece of cladding. Im trying to figure it out, it looks like I may have to replace the whole dang body part...OUCH

 

[JP4RNR]

For those of you who have the early 2003 Gray Clad molding, Toyota has discontinued it

 

[4runnerndachi]

The cladding Im trying to replace is the real tailgate handle. does anyone know if I can switch it out for the regular metallic handle, the one that the limited and sport uses

 

[Uneek]

The cladding Im trying to replace is the real tailgate handle. does anyone know if I can switch it out for the regular metallic handle, the one that the limited and sport uses

Yes it can be done. I found these for a 2003 Limited at Partznet.com. You can go back and change the year, trim and color if needed. It's about $134 for the part. You will either need to transfer your existing emblem or get a new one.

 

[rook]

Looks like I have a swipe from a shopping cart on my passenger side cladding. What do you guys use on yours? Seems like soft plastic like the fender flares. Is Scratch X or polish to much for these? I don't want to haze them up.

How hard is it to remove the cladding? If I can't get the scratches out I might have it touched up by a body shop.

Thanks (07 Sport)

Removing the cladding is not worth the time and expense unless there is significant damage that warrants repair. In your case of a scratch, have it buffed out, or painted while it is still on the vehicle. A good shop can get most of the scratches out and take the curse off of any deep ones without fading the painted surface.

In general, to remove the cladding, you need to heat the cladding to 120deg. then pull the cladding off. There are other bolts and clips that need to be removed, depending on which piece you are taking off. You will need to order new clips because some of them will inevitably break when you pull it off. There is also a layer of double sided tape on the upper most ridge of the cladding to stick it closely to the door. You would need to re-tape when putting it back on.

 

[robsrunner]

Thanks...I ended up taking my rotary buffer and a lot of elbow grease and they are 95% gone. In the right light and angle you can faintly see them but much much better. I'm afraid to ride the spot any longer for fear of burning through the clear coat. I did that once on a scratch on my last truck and had to have the spot repainted. If you're to aggressive it's really easy to burn through these new paint/clear coat jobs.