What are some ways of protecting the interior plastic?

I think the only way to deal with this is to accept the fact that your going to get scratches no matter what you do......
My Jack Russell Terrier has already broken in much of mine on the drivers door just below the window.....I'm not too worried about a few scratches.

[align=center:e5d7d5cd51][Broken External Image]:http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/upload/monasmily.gif[/align:e5d7d5cd51]

 

minor scuffs can be restored with a good interior cleaner (and armorall is NOT good in my opinion)

i used mother's back to black on the darker trim below the window after i helped a friend move. someone loaded boxes into my back seat and closed the door on a box... scuffing up the door very nicely (but not actually scratching). a bit of wiping with that stuff made it look all better.

i don't know about actual scratches because that goes down to the lighter colored plastic beneath. those can't be erased magically i don't think...

 

[font=Comic Sans MS:a6de63ee21]I've used 303 Protectant and it makes the plastic look better and stay dust-free longer. Scratches going through the paint have no remedy short of covering or repainting.[/font:a6de63ee21]

 

[font=Comic Sans MS:789244f4d4]You can also use the 303 on your tires, FWIW.[/font:789244f4d4]

 

Ok, got my Silver Prius yesterday. Tinted windows today. Now I'm stressing about the interior plastics. The question I have is, given that the 'burgundy' stuff is not really shiny and I would like to keep it as close as that as possible, do Mother's or 303 change that and make it shiny?

By the way, Galaxee and Bill, I've been reading your posts in different threads and they're really helpful. Thanks!

Juan

 

If you are going to use microfiber cloths to clean with buy them on line. I paid $8 for one and I found the exact same one onine for $3. If you use them to clean the glass and dry your car a dozen might be the right number and at some places you get an extra discount. Supposedly you can use lower concentrations of detergents and some people report using them with just plain water. I haven't tried them using less cleaner yet.

 

Juan- congrats!

I know Mothers does make it shiny. And knowing Bill, he wouldn't use 303 if it didn't also keep the surfaces shiny. So it's pretty much whatever you like to use.

 

I've been using microfiber for years. They were first called "miracle cloths", sold through a MLM program and cost $18 each.

If you were to Google "microfiber", you will find articles saying that quality levels vary greatly and that some less expensive ones actually contain inexpensive fibers that can abrade. Sorry I can't be more specific but I didn't keep the pertinent article.

Might be worth a quick search.

 

After reading Bill Merchant's recommendation of 303 Protectant, in an earlier thread, I ordered the free sample and liked it enough to order a 16-oz bottle. (still waiting for delivery)
I did NOT want something like Armorall that makes the dash shiny and slippery/greasy feeling, the 303 sample certainly did not, just made it look a little more lusterous with a "normal" feel to it.

 

My experience with sample of 303 Protectant on my burgundy dash is that it does NOT make it shiny like armorall would, it looks a little darker/richer and feels about the same as untreated plastic.

 

Thanks!
I will try one of the 2 to see how it looks.
This brings up another question...

The microfiber mentioned above, will it lift finger prints and the like? Or do you use only for dust control?

 

Microfiber can be used damp or dry, depending on the situation.

 

[font=Comic Sans MS:ae78a6b674]Congratulations, Juan! arty:

Like Sid said, 303 Protectant doesn't make the burgundy paint shiny, just deeper and richer looking. You can get a free sample and see for yourself by going to their web site. A little goes a long way, too much can leave streaks. If that happens, use a damp microfiber cloth, like Popoff suggests, to polish out any streaks and remove any fingerprints. 303 has anti-static compounds in it so the dash won't attract dust like it does untreated. I keep a dry microfiber cloth in the console to wipe off any spots and clean the MFD screen.

I'm glad posts from Galaxee and me have been helpful. I know her expertise and the expertise of others on PriusChat has certainly helped me.[/font:ae78a6b674]

 

OK, now I'm calling into question my definition of 'shiny' :lol:

Maybe I should go more into detail. The finish is still "flat"- I don't know anything that would make it really shiny since it's a flat finish. But when I wipe it down with protectant, it gets more brown in color (I have the tan interior) and the little sparkly things start to stand out more than they did before protectant. Bill has it when he says "deeper" looking. (I'm not always great with words...)

I just had to re-do it today because we had our windows tinted and the overspray left marks on the doors.

And lastly, I'm glad to be able to help anyone out. That's what I aim to do

 

I bought a pack of micro-fiber towels and a bottle of 303 Protectant today per the recommendations in this thread. Wow, I wish I had known about this three cars ago. It does not make the plastic look glossy or oily as other products I've used have done. I can't wait to try it on the tires.

 

The 16 oz. bottle of 303 arrived yesterday (so did the Heatshield). I applied it to the dash and door surfaces, looks good.
I've already been using Black Magic on the tires and it does a good job. I would try 303 on the tires, but I don't know how it will work with the Black Magic already on, plus I still have pretty much the entire bottle of Black Magic left.

 

So how do I make it shiny? The burgundy plastic finish looks great wet - the colour is deeper and the hidden sparkles appear - but not as great when dry. Nothing I've used so far brings out the shine like water, but of course this is pretty short lived. What if I painted the purple parts with a gloss clear coat? I would be sure to practice safe spraying by protecting the parts I don't want to get shiny.