My wife put some small scratches with her keys on the red painted dash panel (above the glove box) on my 2005 mini.

I read that I could remove the scratches in shiny plastic with a product called Plastex after wiping the area with alcohol. When I applied alcohol, it smeared the clear coat and now the entire piece looks cloudy and swirly. Is there any way to restore the finish to the panel, or can it be replaced?

Obviously, dumb move. Don't use alcohol on your dash panels!!

 

The painted dash panel is very soft so rubbing it with improper towels will swirl and fog it. The alcohol just dried and hazed up the paint. Apply a good wax and it should make it better. My preference is Prima Hydro because it leaves no residue and makes all surfaces..painted, smooth plastic, and glass look better.

http://www.showcarsupplies.com/shopexd.asp?id=68&bc=no

Richard