I have CR interior - the plastic (?) on the dash and doors. Anyways, my car is new-to-me and the previous owner scuffed up the lower part of the doors. It is like they didn't get the door open and their shoes left black and white scuffs when they got out ...on the CR part. I have tried to get those marks off because they are ugly. No success using a tennis ball, goo gone, simple green, or interior cleaner. I don't want to use anything abrasive because I am afraid it will scratch. I searched but didn't really find anything to help with this problem - there is some great info in this forum! Any suggestions?

 

I'm actually getting scuffs out of someone elses door (same plastic material) and it just takes a LOT of hard rubbing. If you have a little bit of armorall you could try that too.

 

thanks, I'll try armorall.

 

if it's a painted smooth surface, try claybar and QD.
im not sure which area of the door you are referring to. any picts?

 

I've also heard Plexus is good for plastics. But I haven't any searching for it online other than the main Plexus site where can only order it by the case. Plexus is what Venture Shield recommends for cleaning and caring for their clear bras.

 

If it's actually scratched--there is nothing you can do. The plastic when scratched will look lighter. Well some people have used oil sticks for painting to touchup areas like the textured seat backs that get easily scratched.

If the scuff is a transfer--rubber heel, etc..then you can restore that. But sounds like you've tried all the options I would have suggested.

Richard

 

I have scuffed my Electric Blue door panel due to the tight confines of my garage. I used Orange Blast to clean them off with little effort.

 

Have you tried the "white sponges" sold by Mr. Clean. They do a rather remarkable job on a variety of surfaces. If you try it, wet just a corner and go lightly to see if it will or won't take the skuff mark off and to see what it does or doesn't do to the surface.

 

Isn't the mention of armorall a violation of the site's terms of service ??

 

All great suggestions...thanks a lot! I don't have any pics, sorry. But there are black scuffs (from shoes) and white ones...these are the ones I can't get off. So maybe the white ones are really scratches instead of scuffs? The armorall worked great on the black scuffs - they are gone. I'll keep trying to get those pesky things off.

 

Yep - interior painted plastic - I THINK those parts are clearcoated also... seems like they'd have to be to get the gloss to match the exterior...

Anyway, yes to QD and Claybar for the scuffs - should take them right off just like any other painted surface.

I actually got some swirls and fine scratches in the clearcoat on my dash piece over the glovebox - not THROUGH the clearcoat - and used my PC with Prima Swirl to mostly polish them out - can't see them anymore...

 

ok, ok. everyone on here raves about clay...but people i know say DON'T DO IT! I have been told you only need to clay when your car is old and oxidized. But when I look at the pics on here, the car just shines beautifully. Even my own hubby says no...so I might just have to try it out one day when he isn't home...What's a girl to do? (this is hypothetical...you really don't have to answer)

 

Even a 6-month old car with perfect-LOOKING paint can stand a good claybar treatment (some more so than others, of course). Only use it if your car is "old and oxidized" ?? That's crazy talk, woman !! I think they're confusing clay bar with something really abrasive, like rubbing compound.

Get the clay bar. Remove the contaminants from the surface of your paint before you polish and wax them right into the surface.

No clay... armor all... I feel like I've been thrown in a time machine and landed back in the 1970's.

 

No offense to your hubby, but he is way out in left field on this one. I've used it both on 10 year old cars and on my 6 month old MINI. Great stuff!

 

Hypothetical or not, here's what ya do: get some clay and QD. On a day he isn't home, and following all the wonderful detailing advice on NAM, use the clay and QD. After you have spiffed the MINI up, he will ask "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?"

Then tell him it's all in the clay.

 

Maybe not 1970, but I do live in AR... I think I am going to try the clay...my poor mini has multiple problems and clay should do the trick - door scuffs, window water spots (vinegar only made my hands stink) and some nasty road grime on the wheels. QD = quick detail?

 

Yes, QD is quick detailing spray. Mequiars sells a clay bar/QD kit for under 20.00. Since you are in the land of the Wally Mart, I'm pretty sure I've seen it there. Or, you can pick it up at Pep Boys, etc. It's a good product.

 

Yeah, I spent 3 years in Arkansas... 1986-1989. And I was definitely in a time machine. It was just a littttttttttle behind the times. Of course, that was rural NE Arkansas... parts of the state are GORGEOUS and up to date.

And yes, clay is good for stubborn grime and water deposits.

 

I live in the NW/central part, and it is not so bad. But I still have to joke about it. Anyways, I REALLY want to thank everyone for their input and vast knowledge. My mini (who is nameless by the way ) looks soooo much better becasue of all of y'all!

 

Clay Magic is the orginal, has more clay in the box and no wax. If you don't need wax, you will save about $8.00. Wash the car and wheels well before you clay it. If you drop the clay on the ground dump it, is is ruined. With the Clay Magic you can split the clay bar into two portions.

 

Well, if you drop it on the ground you can still use it on the wheels and glass. Just not the paint.

 

im not sure if id want to use it on wheels... they are painted and also clearcoated...

 

so don't use clay on the wheels, but glass is a go. I guess those wheels are gonna take some old-fashioned scrubbin'. I'll try to take some pics tonight of those pesky scuff marks if I can't get them scrubbed off.

 

You can use CLEAN clay on the wheels. I also use "dirty" clay, as long as it doesn't have big chunks of stuff in it. But I might be in the minority there.

 

you can use clay on wheels as long as it is clean and grit free.

if you drop clay on the ground, just toss it.