Foolproof way to get scratches out of glossy black plastic?

Forzanerazzurri · 10-20-2022, 04:22 AM

All of the glossy black plastic on this car is really starting to irritate me. I came out to my car today and noticed that some moron had leaned all over my roof. Hand prints everywhere and one of the roof rack flaps was open and of course the guys fingernails had scratched the crap out of the glossy roof trim when he opened it.

Has anyone come up with a foolproof way to get scratches out of this stuff that doesn't make the trim hazy or worse? Do they sell finished replacement trim pieces for the roof? How do you even use a scratch remover on this crap when it seems like even wiping off a compound with a microfiber cloth will scratch the trim as well? The interior hazard and safety systems buttons and the little HVAC screen also seem to scratch just by looking at them. Very annoying.

Limegrntaln · 10-20-2022, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

All of the glossy black plastic on this car is really starting to irritate me. I came out to my car today and noticed that some moron had leaned all over my roof. Hand prints everywhere and one of the roof rack flaps was open and of course the guys fingernails had scratched the crap out of the glossy roof trim when he opened it.

Has anyone come up with a foolproof way to get scratches out of this stuff that doesn't make the trim hazy or worse? Do they sell finished replacement trim pieces for the roof? How do you even use a scratch remover on this crap when it seems like even wiping off a compound with a microfiber cloth will scratch the trim as well? The interior hazard and safety systems buttons and the little HVAC screen also seem to scratch just by looking at them. Very annoying.

Mine are PPFd, so that gives me the idea to either get them PPFd, or get them wrapped. There are plenty of companies out there that will to a chrome trim type of delete, and vinyl wrap it.

Forzanerazzurri · 10-20-2022, 04:37 AM

My whole car is PPFd. I thought these were as well but to my surprise they aren't. Guess i gotta go back.

LuvMyE92 · 10-20-2022, 08:52 AM

When I bought my M4, the lower trim pieces (rocker panel?) were all scratched up. I used some mild polishing compound and my polisher to get it out. It was fine since.

I wonder why someone was messin' with your roof and those little doors anyway. I get that he might have been curious, but that's just rude.

KnightedBMW · 10-20-2022, 10:20 AM

Why was someone draped over your car and messing with your roof?

Forzanerazzurri · 10-20-2022, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightedBMW

Why was someone draped over your car and messing with your roof?

Seems so. Big grease marks all over the frame rail and the roof from arms and hands. Probably was looking at the carbon roof leaning on the car. For some reason also felt the need to open one of the roof rack flaps with what appears to be screwdriver fingers. I didn't notice it until i went to fill the car up last night. Not the end of the world but still.

blackops23 · 10-20-2022, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

Seems so. Big grease marks all over the frame rail and the roof from arms and hands. Probably was looking at the carbon roof leaning on the car. For some reason also felt the need to open one of the roof rack flaps with what appears to be screwdriver fingers.

Sorry I cannot help but laugh at the thought of big grease marks from arms and hands all while using "screw driver fingers" draped over your roof to look at the carbon fiber....I know It's not funny but seems like you have added some humor to it...

JDUNITNOW · 10-20-2022, 11:28 AM

My B and C pillars are PPF'D and use a drying aid to dry my car. I also use a blower to dry car especially paying attention to black plastic bits and follow up with a drying aid if I see water spots. A mild compound should bring them back to life.

Murf · 10-20-2022, 11:33 AM

Mequires or other mild polishing compounds and an orbital take scratches out pretty quick and dont leave a haze.

Forzanerazzurri · 10-20-2022, 11:33 AM

Something like plastx?

Limegrntaln · 10-20-2022, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

Seems so. Big grease marks all over the frame rail and the roof from arms and hands. Probably was looking at the carbon roof leaning on the car. For some reason also felt the need to open one of the roof rack flaps with what appears to be screwdriver fingers. I didn't notice it until i went to fill the car up last night. Not the end of the world but still.

Im with KnightedBMW on this one. Why the hell was someone finger f@cking your car? In your OP, you were more worried about what they'd done to it, and not much on, "holy shit, someone was messing with my car."

Here's my roof rail doors PPF, for reference. So, it can definitely be done, cleanly. Car is full PPF, as well. Sorry it's dirty. The car hasn't been washed in about 400 miles.

Forzanerazzurri · 10-20-2022, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Im with KnightedBMW on this one. Why the hell was someone finger f@cking your car? In your OP, you were more worried about what they'd done to it, and not much on, "holy shit, someone was messing with my car."

Here's my roof rail doors PPF, for reference. So, it can definitely be done, cleanly. Car is full PPF, as well. Sorry it's dirty. The car hasn't been washed in about 400 miles.

No idea. I had parked it on a street for half an hour yesterday and didn't notice when i got back in the car. Thank you for that photo. I will ask my PPF installer to do that for me. He only did the vertical black plastic in between the windows but not the roof trim or the horizontal trim under the windows because he said it is hard to make it look good. Were your front grille stats done as well? That's another part of the car he didn't do because of complexity.

Limegrntaln · 10-20-2022, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

No idea. I had parked it on a street for half an hour yesterday and didn't notice when i got back in the car. Thank you for that photo. I will ask my PPF installer to do that for me. He only did the vertical black plastic in between the windows but not the roof trim or the horizontal trim under the windows because he said it is hard to make it look good. Were your front grille stats done as well? That's another part of the car he didn't do because of complexity.

They are, but I've tried to get pictures of them before, and the reflection from taking the picture just makes it so you cant tell whats going on.

I tried for like 10 minutes one day, to show someone else, that wanted to get theirs PPFd, and I just couldn't get anything good with all of the reflections.

Forzanerazzurri · 10-20-2022, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

They are, but I've tried to get pictures of them before, and the reflection from taking the picture just makes it so you cant tell whats going on.

I tried for like 10 minutes one day, to show someone else, that wanted to get theirs PPFd, and I just couldn't get anything good with all of the reflections.

Ok thanks. Didnt think that was very common.

10-20-2022, 04:22 AM	#1
Forzanerazzurri Banned 6991 Rep 3,275 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]	Foolproof way to get scratches out of glossy black plastic? All of the glossy black plastic on this car is really starting to irritate me. I came out to my car today and noticed that some moron had leaned all over my roof. Hand prints everywhere and one of the roof rack flaps was open and of course the guys fingernails had scratched the crap out of the glossy roof trim when he opened it. Has anyone come up with a foolproof way to get scratches out of this stuff that doesn't make the trim hazy or worse? Do they sell finished replacement trim pieces for the roof? How do you even use a scratch remover on this crap when it seems like even wiping off a compound with a microfiber cloth will scratch the trim as well? The interior hazard and safety systems buttons and the little HVAC screen also seem to scratch just by looking at them. Very annoying.
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10-20-2022, 04:37 AM	#3
Forzanerazzurri Banned 6991 Rep 3,275 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]	My whole car is PPFd. I thought these were as well but to my surprise they aren't. Guess i gotta go back.
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10-20-2022, 08:52 AM	#4
LuvMyE92 Occasionally frequent poster 3086 Rep 2,773 Posts Drives: CT5V-Blackwing Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: RTP NC, USA iTrader: (0)	When I bought my M4, the lower trim pieces (rocker panel?) were all scratched up. I used some mild polishing compound and my polisher to get it out. It was fine since. I wonder why someone was messin' with your roof and those little doors anyway. I get that he might have been curious, but that's just rude. __________________ Current inventory: F22 G29 Supra Past: E24,E28(3),E34,E36,E37,E38(2),E39(4),E46,E89,E92 (obviously),F01,F06,F10,F30,F87,G12,G30(2),G82(2)
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10-20-2022, 10:20 AM	#5
KnightedBMW Lieutenant Colonel 2365 Rep 1,751 Posts Drives: 2022 M3C Join Date: May 2016 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Why was someone draped over your car and messing with your roof? __________________ @bg_g80m3
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10-20-2022, 11:28 AM	#8
JDUNITNOW Colonel 4035 Rep 2,524 Posts Drives: BMW 335I, 750li, X5 G80 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Glen Allen, Virginia iTrader: (0)	My B and C pillars are PPF'D and use a drying aid to dry my car. I also use a blower to dry car especially paying attention to black plastic bits and follow up with a drying aid if I see water spots. A mild compound should bring them back to life. __________________ Formerly Wyndi335I 2009 BMW 750li sold 14 BMW X5 04 BMW X5 11 BMW 335i convertible (sold, sellers market
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10-20-2022, 11:33 AM	#9
Murf Captain 909 Rep 897 Posts Drives: 2021 G80 M3C - Dravit Grey Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (2)	Mequires or other mild polishing compounds and an orbital take scratches out pretty quick and dont leave a haze.
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