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Hairline Scratches on Rear Spoiler

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by WarEagle, Jan 8, 2011.

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  1. WarEagle

    WarEagle New Member

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    I picked up my Prius III last month (love it) and noticed some hairline scratches in the black spoiler, but thought they might wax out as they are pretty faint (they didn't).

    Looks like the dealer ran a gritty wash mitt or sponge over the spoiler and swirled the finish. In the bright sun you can see many light scratches in the finish.

    Anyone else have this issue? Any suggestions for getting rid of them? I thought about using a gentle polish, but wasn't sure if that was a good move as I think it is just a high gloss plastic and not paint. The last thing I want to do is add more damage.

    I did wash, clay, and wax my car as soon as I could and spent some time detailing it and thought the scratches were reduced, but had it out today and they are still there.

    I appreciate any advice you might have. Thank you! :thumb:
     
    #1 WarEagle, Jan 8, 2011
  2. zonie911

    zonie911 Member

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    The spoiler isn't the same metal as the rest of the car. It has to be ordered in the color you want to match the car color (or black in your case), it's plastic. It can't be painted.
     
    #2 zonie911, Jan 8, 2011
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Zaino Z-5 pro works filling the minor swirls in for me...
     
    #3 Paradox, Jan 8, 2011
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I have a few but not much. It has held up MUCH better than a similar black shiny plastic piece on my smart fortwo (that had plenty of hairline scratches from washing after one year of ownership!). I try not to look at it. It looks pretty good from afar.

    As for scratch removal, I don't know how well those scratch removal products work (like Scratch-X or scratch doctor.. whatever it's called)
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jan 9, 2011
  5. WarEagle

    WarEagle New Member

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    That's good to hear that it has held up better than a "Mercedes" vehicle! I was just frustrated that it was so scratched by the dealer or Southeast Toyota before I even got it!

    I was thinking of trying Scratch X and see if that might work, but I am hesitant that it might scratch it further as it is an abrasive and the part is just glossy plastic.

    Paradox - Thanks for the Zaino idea, I had not thought of that avenue.

    I did some more digging, and I think I am going to try using Nu Finish Scratch Doctor first. The Meguiars seems to be more abrasive and I am afraid to start with it.

    Anyone tried the Nu Finish Scratch Doctor with good results?
     
    #5 WarEagle, Jan 9, 2011
  6. unkprius

    unkprius Member

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    Probably any good removal kit will work, just start out with the least abrasive remover first since they're hairline and not deep. I used Novus (small 3 bottle kits available on ebay) to polish up the plastics on my pinball machine. Works perfectly for large, medium, and small scratches on plastic. (I'd be hesitant to use an all-in-one bottle/can solution, unless it's -extremely- non abrasive)
     
    #6 unkprius, Jan 9, 2011
  7. jim256

    jim256 Member

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    +1 on the Novus, which some of us used to clear up the early production climate control screen. Scratch-X is good on paint, but it's a diminishing abrasive--starts more coarse and ends with a polish grit, I don't know how it would act. No "inconspicuous place" to test unless you have some scrap plastic somewhere. Most Harley dealers have Novus, too.
     
    #7 jim256, Jan 9, 2011
  8. WarEagle

    WarEagle New Member

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    I will definitely see what I can find on the Novus, great idea! Might be a safer solution than the paint scratch removers. Thank you.
     
    #8 WarEagle, Jan 9, 2011
  9. Speedracer0284

    Speedracer0284 New Member

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    War eagle! Hopefully we pull out the win Monday night!
     
    #9 Speedracer0284, Jan 9, 2011
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah someone came up with a clear cover similar to the 3M film you put on the hood to minimise scratches. Better than me. A visit to the dealer for an oil change resulted in a unclipped bumper and a long vertical scratch (paint was removed!) on the rear corner. Luckily I parked nose in that time (I usually reverse park) so that it was the rear bumper that got scratched and not the front (where I have the APGS sensors). Too bad I was a few thousand kms away by the time I found out.

    Have you tried a search on this forum for scratch doctor? I recall seeing a few threads on it.
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Jan 9, 2011
  11. WarEagle

    WarEagle New Member

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    WAR EAGLE! I do too! Go Tigers! :rockon:
     
    #11 WarEagle, Jan 9, 2011
  12. WarEagle

    WarEagle New Member

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    Quick Update - Tried the Nu Finish Scratch Remover and no dice. Didn't seem to do a thing. It did take a small scratch out of my wife's Odyssey.

    I will need to try and find the Novus product at my local Wal-Mart. Tried one out of town this weekend and they did not carry it.

    May just have to live with the scratches. They are only really visible in the bright sun.
     
    #12 WarEagle, Jan 17, 2011
  13. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Did you consider using Zaino Z5-Pro? You can use it on the rest of the vehicle as well as a great sealant. The Z5 is best for darker colored paints at hiding/filling in swirls, but no reason you can't use it on light colors as well.
     
    #13 Paradox, Jan 17, 2011
  14. WarEagle

    WarEagle New Member

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    Hey Paradox,

    I may give it a try, but want to try the Novus first as I am hoping it will minimize/remove the scratches vs. hide them (washing over time will just remove the wax/sealant). It is my plan "C" as "A" failed, and I haven't tried "B" yet. Thanks again for the tip! I hear nothing but good things about Zaino. :thumb:
     
    #14 WarEagle, Jan 17, 2011
  15. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Zaino lasts a long time and won't come off after a couple washes like a conventional wax.


    Color-keyed spoilers are for Gen II. It's black for the Gen III.
     
    #15 32kcolors, Jan 18, 2011
  16. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I just bought Meguiar's Detailer Kit, which includes Ultimate Compound (for polishing swirl marks or scratches). Though I hardly think I'll ever use it, I wonder if it would work in your situation...
     
    #16 macmaster05, Jan 18, 2011
  17. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    I too have very fine scratches or swirls? on my spoiler. When I wax, it doesn't eliminate them. Mine can't be seen casually or from a near distance unless you get your eye right down on it. It doesn't bother me, however. I suspect the scratches are on the underside as well!

    Happy Motoring,

    Tom
     
    #17 twittel, Jan 18, 2011
  18. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I'm hardly an expert but as far as I understand, wax is not meant to buff out micro-scratches. Wax simply adds a layer of protection and gloss. What you need is a polish. Polishers contain abrasive compounds that actually rub microparticles into the scratches, thereby evening the surface.
     
    #18 macmaster05, Jan 18, 2011
  19. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    If it's plastic and not painted like some claim (we had a debate on this as some claim you can see the orange peel effect hence painted plastic), that may not work. What you can do is use a product with filling properties like Zaino Z-5 or a glaze. Zaino will last through several washes unlike a glaze where it'll wash away after a couple times.
     
    #19 32kcolors, Jan 18, 2011
  20. WarEagle

    WarEagle New Member

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    Hi Tom- Mine is the same, only really see them in the sun and there are definitely scratches on the bottom of mine as well.

    32Kcolors - Glad to hear Zaino lasts a while. This may be a good solution to help cover the marks. I want to try the Novus Plastic scratch remover and see if that works. I am pretty convinced the spoiler is just a high gloss plastic and not painted as most have said as well.

    I just wish Toyota had made the 3rd Gen Spoiler body colored and it wouldn't have been an issue. Oh well, cost savings for Toyota, headache for nuts like me!
     
    #20 WarEagle, Jan 18, 2011
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