Scratched Interior? Use a Heat Gun

Burnt350

Burnt350

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Yesterday I noticed that the upper most part of my center console near the shifter was scratched to all heck. Most likely due to the zipper on my jacket sleeve. It's been frío in NE Florida lately.



So this morning I broke out my heat gun and got to work. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! It practically looks brand new. Its important to keep it a safe distance from the plastic and keep it in constant motion so you don't get "wet spots" is as good as I can describe it.





Before:









After:



 
Guy named Burnt recommends using a heat gun.. I'm a believer.😃
 
Hmmm - is that a Z console? Did you just rub on it with your finger or use microfiber or some other kind of media?
 
yes it work, but it also discolors the plastic. i use to work with an interior touch up guy he heated scatches out all of the time, but the panels would get dyed after so the repair didn't stand out.
 
Just remember to keep the heat gun moving and not focused on 1 spot for any length of time. The 'wet spots' where the I guess oils from the plastic start to flow happens very quickly and by the time you see it start to happen its too late. I've saved bumpers using a heat gun but the bigger the area the harder it is to make it look even and not mess up
 
Eldorado2k said:
Guy named Burnt recommends using a heat gun.. I'm a believer.��
Click to expand...

- Yes!! Name comes from when I had my Burnt Orange 350z :)


austinz said:
Hmmm - is that a Z console? Did you just rub on it with your finger or use microfiber or some other kind of media?
Click to expand...

- Why yes it is. Traded in my '03 350z for a '12 370z. Nothing else was used.

DBAILEY said:
Just remember to keep the heat gun moving and not focused on 1 spot for any length of time. The 'wet spots' where the I guess oils from the plastic start to flow happens very quickly and by the time you see it start to happen its too late. I've saved bumpers using a heat gun but the bigger the area the harder it is to make it look even and not mess up
Click to expand...

- Exactly. I kept the gun a few inches from the plastic and just kept moving it around in a circular motion. Once it gets hot enough the scratches just leveled out. I was afraid about discoloration but it all looks good.
 
This looks fantastic and I am definitely intrigued. The earlier comment about possible discoloration is a bit concerning. Had you done this technique before? What type of heat gun did you use?
 
That was great. I have done this on exterior parts before to restore the tan plastic on my Ford Expedition. Never have had the courage to try it on thr inside. Thanks a bunch. Another quiver in my pack.
 
Pretty interesting what made you try this ? Or even think it would work, I will keep this in mind cause theres really no fix for those scratched marred plastic good Job thanks for sharing
 
Cabrio said:
This looks fantastic and I am definitely intrigued. The earlier comment about possible discoloration is a bit concerning. Had you done this technique before? What type of heat gun did you use?
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- Never tried this technique before on Interior trim. I knew it was ballsy trying it on my DD but I couldn't be happier with the results. I have a Wagner that I picked up from Home Depot.

NextLevelDtail said:
Pretty interesting what made you try this ? Or even think it would work, I will keep this in mind cause theres really no fix for those scratched marred plastic good Job thanks for sharing
Click to expand...


- I've seen this done on exterior trim so I thought, why not try it on the inside?! I'm not comfortable doing this as part of my details though. I may go to a junk yard and buy various types of interior pieces with varying textures and practice more.
 
As a molder of kydex, I have zero doubt that this works.

Genius! I wish I had thought of this! Thanks for the tip.
 
Is there an indentation in the plastic? Is the plastic weaker?
 
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