ScratchX left mark

[blinkme323]

Hi everyone,

Recently I discovered that I had a small scratch on the black plastic door panel on the interior of my car. I was told by a friend to use ScratchX, even though it's mainly for the exterior. So I very lightly rubbed on a dab of ScratchX with my finger and then wiped it off with a cotten cloth. The scratch has been minimized, but the area where I put on the ScratchX seems shinier or darker than the rest of the panel.

I'm thinking that this is just the residue left by the ScratchX because I don't think I rubbed hard enough for it to act as an abrasive. My question is how can I remove the residue? Someone suggested using rubbing alcohol? Your help is appreciated.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Just to clarify,

Are you working on car paint?
A vinyl/plastic door panel? (not shiny)
What kind of car and year?

[blinkme323]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Just a black plastic door panel with a slightly dimpled surface.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ScratchX left mark

As for removing any ScratchX residue, try some warm soap water, like some dish washing soap, mix some up and then dip a wash rag into it and use this to try to remove the residue.

For future information, here's a related article,

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...

[Murr1525]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Well, if the area is actualy improved, it may be that the rest of the panel needs cleaned up to match.

ScratchX also may have left some oils on the surface, causing the shinier/darker affect. Rubbing alchohol could be a bit much, a wipe with some soapy water might be all you need.

[blinkme323]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot when I get home.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Just a black plastic door panel with a slightly dimpled surface.

You want to be safe so maybe try the soapy water with a wash cloth first, alcohol might dry the panel out or lighten the color.

Another approach would be to use a vinyl/rubber cleaner/conditioner like our Natural Shine, this is our version of an Armor-All type product.

Or just about any auto parts store plus Target and Walmart will carry a product we call Quik Interior Detailer, this is a light cleaner for removing fingerprints, dust and smudges of interior surfaces, it's light cleaning ability might be enough to remove the residue.

Click on the images to go to their dedicated threads...

Supreme Shine Protectant - New Look for Natural Shine Protectant
Supreme Shine Protectant
Natural Shine Protectant - New Look!





G13616 Quik Interior Detailer

[davey g-force]

Re: ScratchX left mark

I didn't think ScatchX was recommended for plastic surfaces?

[Murr1525]

Re: ScratchX left mark

I didn't think ScatchX was recommended for plastic surfaces?

Technicalities.....

And esp not textured plastic surfaces. But as long as it worked out.

[Megafast13]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Shine the rest of the panel, don't remove the gloss

Get the New Supreme Shine Vinyl/Rubber Protectant

[blinkme323]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Ok guys, I just wiped it down with a rag and some soapy water. It looks like the mark is still there It's dark out now, so I really couldn't get a great look at it though.

Assuming it is still there, what else could I try? I didn't really scrub it too hard so maybe that's the problem?

Thanks again

[davey g-force]

Re: ScratchX left mark

I would be trying this, as suggested earlier:

Another approach would be to use a vinyl/rubber cleaner/conditioner like our Natural Shine, this is our version of an Armor-All type product.

Or just about any auto parts store plus Target and Walmart will carry a product we call Quik Interior Detailer, this is a light cleaner for removing fingerprints, dust and smudges of interior surfaces, it's light cleaning ability might be enough to remove the residue.

Click on the images to go to their dedicated threads...

Supreme Shine Protectant - New Look for Natural Shine Protectant
Supreme Shine Protectant
Natural Shine Protectant - New Look!





G13616 Quik Interior Detailer

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Assuming it is still there, what else could I try? I didn't really scrub it too hard so maybe that's the problem?

Maybe try using a vinyl cleaner/conditioner, we make a couple, think I already listed two, there's also M40 in our Professional Line.

Do you have a vinyl dressing of any type? A good close-up picture would really help.

If this material is physically scratched then it's likely you won't be able to fix it but you may be able to mask it with a good vinyl cleaner/conditioner.

This is where a good picture would help...

[blinkme323]

Re: ScratchX left mark

I got a chance to look at it in the light today and you can't see the blemish looking at it straight on, however from certain angles, you can see the "shine".

I'm hoping it's just the residue and not discoloration, maybe I should take a toothbrush to the area later? Since the spot is actually darker than the surrounding areas, would any type of dressing really work?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ScratchX left mark

Since the spot is actually darker than the surrounding areas, would any type of dressing really work?

Hard to say without a picture. If you've permanently damaged the surface by rubbing the wrong product against it, sometimes a dressing can mask the damage.

What kind of car is this?
Do you have access to a digital camera?
Do you own any interior vinyl dressings that you can test?