Scratches on black window trim

[rlestra5]

I was cleaning bird droppings from the black window trim around one of the windows on my car. I used a terry cloth towel with some water. Afterward, I saw scratches on the trim where I had wiped; I couldn't understand how this happened. Now I'm looking for a way to get these scratches out, not just hide them. I've made this post in a few other forums and apparently it's important whether the trim is textured or hard plastic. It doesn't look textured, it just looks like the standard plastic (painted?) black trim that lines most of today's cars. The scratches are a few inches long vertically and don't look incredibly deep (I can't see through to metal or anything like that). How can I fix this?

[roushstage2]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

If they were rubber, they wouldn't scratch. So, I'd guess they are painted. Try Scratch X with a clean towel. Sounds like yours got dirt in it.

[rlestra5]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

I thought Scratch X was just for paint. Are you sure it's OK for the black painted trim around my window?

[roushstage2]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

I thought Scratch X was just for paint. Are you sure it's OK for the black painted trim around my window?

You said it yourself. If you are worried about it, try something mild like Deep Crystal Cleaner or Cleaner Wax first.

[Mort Corey]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

What year/make of car is this? Reason I ask is that my car has black trim between the windows on the door that appears to be painted but I've come to believe is a colored plastic....like my outisde mirrors. My trim showed some light marring that a cleaner wax wouldn't remove. PlastX did the trick. Like any correction process....start with the least agressive product and try a small (inconspicous if possible) area first.

Mort

[rlestra5]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

Mort,

I have a 2008 Nissan Altima. It looks painted black. Not sure if it's plastic. Looks like the standard black trim around most of today's car windows. Scratches look terrible in the sun, otherwise they just look noticeable. I was considering bringing it to the dealership. They might charge me an arm and a leg though, since it wouldn't be covered under warranty to replace. Would PlastX work here? I don't want to do more damage. What are your thoughts?

[Mort Corey]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

If you're referring to the black section(s) between back of the front window and the front of the rear door window (hope that made sense) then they are colored plastic on my Cadillac. I tested it first with a magnet to be sure it wasn't metallic. On my car, those pillars (for lack of a better word) are super high gloss, easily scratched/marred, and show every slight flaw in the sunshine or under bright lighting. PlastX worked on mine, but as I said before, try just a small area first.....if you can remove a little scratch you'll likely have equal results with the rest. I started with a foam pad and it worked out well. Took a few applications but I didn't want to mess anything up getting too gung ho.

Just another thought.....if we're talking about the same type of trim....I'd guess that it would be reeeeeeeaaaaaaaly expensive to replace. Even if you did decide to go that route, they're going to become marred again, especially if it's a daily driver......mine does, no matter how careful I've tried to be. I now remove the mars when they bother me and keep a good coat of wax on them.

Mort

[rlestra5]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

Mort,

Have you ever heard of Zaino Z5? Someone had recommended that for trim on another forum. I feel like there are so many products/waxes to try on the trim, I just want to make sure I'm using the right one.

[roushstage2]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

Zaino Z-5 fills the scratches, it doesn't actually remove them. It is ultimately up to you what you want to do though.

I apologize though for forgetting about the plastic B-pillar moldings though.

[rlestra5]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

"I apologize though for forgetting about the plastic B-pillar moldings though."

What do you mean?

[roushstage2]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

The fact that they may be the plastic ones and not painted, in which case you would need to follow Mort's advice.

[HagFan]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

Since you only used water, maybe it's not scratched at all, but smudged. You might try #40 or some other vinyl/rubber cleaner. All Purpose Cleaner might work also.

I'm not sure if your talking about the trim around the windo or the pillar trim that was mentioned. I think some of those pillars are nothing more than a vinyl tape-- sort of Contact paper. I treat them like vinyl some times, but have also used wax or sealant on them. These days I've been sticking with #40 and hoping that keeps them clean and protected some from UV.

[rlestra5]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

No, these are definitely scratches, not smudges. Someone else had told me that the window trim on my car is plastic. How can I know for sure before using a product like PlastX? Mort, what will PlastX do when applied to the black pillars surrounding my window? Just restore color and remove scratches? I'm almost ready to purchase it, so I just want to make sure I have all my questions answered. Thanks.

[Mort Corey]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

Well Riestra5, all I can tell you is what worked for me. PlastX will remove some minor scratches and is pretty mild stuff. A foam applicator is your best bet and try a small area first. I first tried a cleaner wax with less than satisfactory results. PlastX got almost everything perfect. There were a couple inches of scratch that I finally took out with some ScratchX. After the ScratchX, I went over that particular area with PlastX again and then topped with wax. Go slowly and have some patience...these are not "wipe on wipe off" type products (except the wax of course) Depending on how deep the scratches are, you might not get it perfect.......all you can do is try.

Mort

[cnfowler]

Re: Scratches on black window trim

Ryan, there will be no harm done if you put PlastX on a painted surface. Stop worrying about whether or not it is plastic and go at it. You're not going to damage the surface by using PlastX. Do what Mort has recommended and post the results.

You need to post a picture of exactly what you are talking about. I have a couple of cars and a truck and I have no clue as to what you are talking about. So apparently what you have around your window isn't all that common as you think it is. Pictures are worth a thousand words. It will definitely help explain what you've spent several posts trying to put into words.