Scratches on black window trim

[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.

[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

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

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.

[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,

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

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

[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.

[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

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]

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?