Scratched vinyl on door - IDEAS?

S

stainbuster

Professional Rookie
Hey y'all,

Anyone have any idea how to repair this or at least make it look less noticeable?

It's on the driver's door panel of a 2001 Saab 9-5. Owner's not sure how it happened, (hmmm) The scratch is about 1" long.

Here's a couple pics:
 
The use of a heat gun will soften up the plastic and smooth out the scratch. :)

Be carefull not to let the gun hit the plastic, and don't touch it while it's hot... doing so will leave a finger print (not to mention a blister).

Of course, if that's leather, this method will not work.
 
You might try Poorboys Natural Look Dressing.
I had a similar type scratch and it did a nice job of blending it with the surrounding area.
 
Dr. Detail,

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try the heat gun method. After it's heated, what tool should I use to smooth the scratch?

BTW, the door panel's not leather, it's a very soft vinyl/plastic.

Kimwallace,

Thanks also,

If PB natural look is a water-based dressing, I've tried 2 or 3 different water-based dressings, and it DOES blend in OK, but then the next week it's completely noticable again. Sitting in the drivers seat, it almost looks from afar like a cig burn, but it's not.

Thanks again fellas!
 
Natural Look is water based but it seems to last better than others I have used.
I have also used the Prestone vinyl repair kit to fix some scratches and tears.
It works as long as you get the color matched just right. I also use a propane torch to heat the metal ironing tool instead of an electric iron because it is faster and the product seems to respond better to the higher heat. You don't want the tool so hot that it burns the paper though.
 
stainbuster said:
After it's heated, what tool should I use to smooth the scratch?
Click to expand...
Do nothing... As you heat the area, the scratch will smooth itself out. Keep the gun moving, about 2-3 inches away from the pannel, concentrating on the scratch. What happens is as the plastic heats, the rough edges or the scratch get soft and, as I mentioned, smooth themselves out. Let it cool without touching it and procede as normal with your chosen dressing. I've had to use this method on many pre-production mock-ups and prototypes.
 
everything dr_detail said, PLUS, i cant stress enough to PRACTICE on something first. Heat guns get real hot and real fast. You may just burn right through it... keep to gun moving farily fast too.

.02
 
I know this has been a while but thought I better correct an error on my part ...
It should be Permatex Vinyl Repair not Prestone ...
I happened to be looking for something and came across the package.
Sorry :(
 
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