Scuff Marks on Plastic?

Lazzman

Lazzman

New member
I am currently detailing a fairly new BMW X5 with a Light Beige interior, some of the hard plastic is scuffed with some black marks, particularly on the rear hatch. It looks like objects where rubbed up against it under acceleration. I have tried a few interior cleaners to take out the scuff marks including Megs APC mixed 4:1 with little results.

Does anyone have any suggestions on products or methods to help remove these scuff marks on light colored, hard interior plastics?

Thanks in advance for any feedback or suggestions B)
 
Is the plastic textured or smooth? If smooth and all else fails, try using Mr. Eraser, but be very gentle as it can be pretty aggressive.
 
Magic Eraser I wouldn't use due to fact it can/will remove material and color too from that area your talking about. I been using 1Z Einszett Plastic Vinyl Deep Cleaner and 1Z Einszett Cockpit Premium using a microfiber pad.
 
Old Pirate said:
Magic Eraser I wouldn't use due to fact it can/will remove material and color too from that area your talking about. I been using 1Z Einszett Plastic Vinyl Deep Cleaner and 1Z Einszett Cockpit Premium using a microfiber pad.
Click to expand...

I've used magic eraser on a lot of hard plastics and never seen it remove material or color - ???
 
agree with pirate, unless you are going to be dressing it pretty well, Magic Eraser can and will damage the texture, color, and overall look of LOTS of materials. be very careful with them. BMW's have very fragile interior pieces, in comparison to other brands, and should be treated as lightly as possible. they scuff very easily, and can be further damaged by harsh products even easier. I would use a Magic Eraser on it, but only after finding and checking a very hidden spot first. to some extent, it comes down to "whatever works", but keep in mind the value of the vehicle, and the general pickiness of those clients.
 
Some plastics with take it better then other's and this product was never made to be use in automotive interiors, BMW's seen to be the worst when using the Magic Eraser. Just be careful.
 
Old Pirate said:
Some plastics with take it better then other's and this product was never made to be use in automotive interiors, BMW's seen to be the worst when using the Magic Eraser. Just be careful.
Click to expand...

1) You fellas must be rubbin the heck outta that magic eraser foam pad in order to remove hard plastic! As with all things, the strength and degree of cleaning chemical and/or abrasive force must be relative to the condition and the desired outcome.
disclaimer: I'll admit I've never taken a magic eraser to a Bimmer.

2) I question the notion that cleaning materials need to be 'designed' for automotive use. Carpets, fabrics, vinyl and plastic are no different in cars than anywhere else. e.g. one of the best headliner/cloth seat cleaners is diluted liquid laundry detergent (simply designed to clean fabrics)....almost any APC or household carper cleaner and extraction works great for vehicle carpets...etc.
disclaimer: I have found some products 'designed' for automotive use that work better....I choose Stoner's Invisible Glass over Windex...303 Aerospace Protectant....etc.
 
Thanks for all of the great info

I am tempted to try the magic eraser but definitely nervous

The plastic has rougher, pebble type texture, similar to the texture of the leather seats.

I also read a thread from a few years back where someone suggested using a rubber pencil eraser? Anyone ever try this?

My next step is to try APC full strength and see what happens.
 
I've tried on a Honda interior plastic door sill shoe scuff marks the last few weeks: pencil erasure, Mr Magic Erasure, Sonax Erasure, P21S Total APC full strength, 1Z Cockpit Erasure, some final polishes... all to no avail.

1 product looked promising on a recommendation from Autopia or AG: tried 1Z Vinyl Plastic Cleaner and a new toothbrush, took some work and time but seemed to remove a small test scuff spot.

If you find something that really, really works let me know. This may be very dependent on the plastic finish itself.
 
I just tried Megs APC undiluted and it did nothing, also tried Goof off and had no results, back to the drawing board
 
jmsc said:
I've tried on a Honda interior plastic door sill shoe scuff marks the last few weeks: pencil erasure, Mr Magic Erasure, Sonax Erasure, P21S Total APC full strength, 1Z Cockpit Erasure, some final polishes... all to no avail.

1 product looked promising on a recommendation from Autopia or AG: tried 1Z Vinyl Plastic Cleaner and a new toothbrush, took some work and time but seemed to remove a small test scuff spot.

If you find something that really, really works let me know. This may be very dependent on the plastic finish itself.
Click to expand...
\

I am with you on this one about using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers on plastic trim. Because of the composition of the pad, it is somewhat of a "mild" abrasive and will remove the sheen or gloss from plastic trim IF you use too much scrubbing force, which seems necessary to remove embedded shoe/boot scuff marks from plastic trim/panels. I have used this as a "last resort" and would inform the vehicle's owner if detailing it for them; IE, it's not my vehicle.

That said, you could try Goo Gone's Automotive formula (citrus-based spot remover/degreaser) first on a microfiber cloth or stiff tooth brush. Since many shoe/boot soles are petroleum-based, it might work with a few applications.
I would be hesitant to try Goof-Off, as it may discolor the plastic trim/panel, nor would I try 3M's General Purpose Adhesive Remover No. 08984. for the same reason. However, as a side note, Goof-Off is the ONLY safe and effective solvent I've found that removes LaserJet/copier toner from vinyl 3-ring notebook covers when printed/copied pages have sat on them when for a while and transferred/adhered the toner to the vinyl. Works great!!
 
If it's textured plastic and the sounds like it...I would use WD40 on a cotton rag, you want to dissolve what is on the surface and into the cracks of the plastic.

The Magic erase is strong cleaner that is bleached based and CAN cause damage to colored parts. Not something that I would be using JS
 
Yes, I do not want to try the majic eraser on this guys new beemer, it has only 5k mi on it and I don't want an unhappy customer. That being said I am going to try the WD-40 rag and the APC on a terry towel, I did use it with a paper towel before. Seems like the plastic scuff marks are in the fine grain of the BMW plastic part, the interior is a light Beige so it will show If I scuff it with a Magic eraser.

I guess it happened when the owner accelerated and the unsecured desktop PC he was carrying in his hatch, slid back and scuffed the tailgate with a black plastic mark.

Thanks for all of the help, I am sure others have shoe scuff marks on light colored door sills that does not look good. It would be great to find a solution to this problem
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top