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Need Help

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by lgamber1, Oct 15, 2007.

  1. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    I posted this on the care and maintenance forum a few days ago but haven't gotten much response. I was hoping someone here could help. Here is my original post...

    Hi all,

    So I've been a little obsessive about keeping my three week old prius as clean as possible. My husband was riding in the passenger seat over the weekend and made a small scuff mark on the glove compartment with his shoe (grr!). Feet on glove compartment = unacceptable! Anyway, I made several attempts to get the scuff mark off, and in the process, it seems I've only made it WORSE. I first used water on a clean towel, then armoral wipes, then an LCD wipe I had in the car for the display screen, then water again. Nothing seems to work, and the scuff has now grown to a large dusty looking spot.

    So, I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for cleaning such a spot and about particular products you use--the spot is on the grainy part, not the actual dash. Thanks in advance.

    ....So then someone recommended using 303. I purchased some 303 aerospace cleaner online, but it did not help on the spot at all. I also got some protectant which seems really great and made my dash look nice, but again, no use for the spot on the glovebox. I am really at a loss as to what I should use. I have goo gone and was thinking of trying it, but I'm a little scared it might be too harsh. I also might make a trip to autozone or somewhere this week to see if they have anything.

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    That's easy! Use the Mr Clean magic eraser. Works great on scuff marks on interior vinyl. I just use it dry.
     
  3. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Oct 15 2007, 02:14 PM) [snapback]526012[/snapback]</div>

    oooh...i have one of those in the cabinet...going to try it right now!
     
  4. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    the magic eraser didn't work. :( it seemed really promising. but when dry, the area still has a very fine white powdery look where i've scrubbed. like tiny bits of dust from whatever i've used to wipe it have gotten stuck in the textered parts.

    i totally love the magic eraser--it has gotten up grime in my bathtub that i never thought possible. and i'm sure the 303 cleaner is great stuff, too. after all, it is supposed to be able to de-grease an engine.

    why can't these great products clean this little dusty spot on my glovebox!? *sigh* the search continues.

    going to get a very fine scrub brush tonight and see if that helps.
     
  5. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    I suspect the scuff is not suface dirt that will ever get cleaned off, but the plastic surface slightly shredded. All the cleaning stuff may just be making it worse. Maybe some vinyl repair glop is the next step.

    Become Indian or Japanese, and make everyone leave their shoes outside the car. ;)
     
  6. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

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    dont use the mister clean magic eraser on vinyl parts unless it is a last resort. it will take the finish off

    (especially on the air vent pieces)
     
  7. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    I hate to say it, but it's one of those things you might just have to work on not noticing.

    Right after I took delivery of my new '06, the windshield was hit by a pebble while on the freeway; the little chip was small, but *directly* in front of where I'd look while driving. Arrrgh!

    I'm sure the thread is still here somewhere, but --like you-- it was the first flaw in an otherwise perfectly new, new car, and it was really bugging me. I HAD to do something about it, and I had a few ideas...

    ...problem was, there was no way to test those ideas elsewhere, to see if they'd work.

    So, after half a dozen different attempts at minimizing that tiny chip, I ended up damaging the windshield in a way that I didn't notice until that night: When headlights would shine against the windshield from certain angles, a surprisingly large spot directly in front of me would suddenly turn completely opaque, like I was driving in pea-soup fog!!

    It was a bit of a surprise, to say the least.

    I ended up replacing the windshield with the expensive Toyota original-equipment one, and paying for it out of my own pocket. The rubber strip around the windshield is bumpy now...but I try not to notice THAT!
    :)

    ----

    Do be careful trying different "miracle cures" on that little spot; unless you're *sure* it's going to work, there's a real risk of gradually making it worse and worse and worse, and drawing more attention to it than if you'd left it alone.

    ----

    Also, from what I've heard, the eco-plastic in the Prius is a bit tender, and easily scuffed. I don't think the interior is quite as durable as the one in my '96 RAV4, IMHO.
     
  8. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    i think i am just going to have to give up on this scuff issue. i tried a wd-40 pen and a detailing brush last night, and it was a no go. i don't want to make it any worse at this point.

    my husband thinks i'm crazy for being so upset about one little scuff, but it is just kind of a bummer to have my new pristine prius have even the most minor problem (cosmetic though it is).

    guess i'll have to learn to live with it! thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, though.
     
  9. toletiquesbysam

    toletiquesbysam Toletiquesbysam

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    If worse comes to worse and you can't stand looking at it here's an option....
    www.ebay.com item #110179400694
     
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Oct 16 2007, 04:42 PM) [snapback]526549[/snapback]</div>
    We feel for you. My GF is like your husband in that regard.
     
  11. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toletiquesbysam @ Oct 17 2007, 08:27 AM) [snapback]526867[/snapback]</div>
    hmm...interesting. i wish there was a clearer picture of this thing. does anyone have one??
     
  12. toletiquesbysam

    toletiquesbysam Toletiquesbysam

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  13. toletiquesbysam

    toletiquesbysam Toletiquesbysam

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  14. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toletiquesbysam @ Oct 18 2007, 12:03 PM) [snapback]527408[/snapback]</div>
    thank you so much for the links! looks like a poster on the last thread was able to solve the problem w/ 303 protectant. i have tried both this and the 303 aerospace cleaner, and neither of them got rid of the dusty looking spot on my glovebox.

    i've tried to train my brain to be okay with it, but i'm so not. i find myself obsessively staring at it whenever i'm in the car (okay, so i'm a little bit of a type a if you haven't already noticed).

    i've even had thoughts of inquiring as to how much it would cost to just get the front of the glovebox replaced. i know that is totally silly and wasteful, and i'm sure it would be costly. i think doing that now would be a little too ridiculous, but the thought has definitely crossed my mind.
     
  15. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Oct 18 2007, 04:44 PM) [snapback]527478[/snapback]</div>
    Hey, I've got an "almost" invisible indentation on my rear bumper from someone driving behind me that didn't stop "quite" soon enough. It is so minor, that I can only see it when the car is clean and the sun is shining. I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it does. However it doesn't bother me enough to spend > $500 to have it replaced.

    On the other hand, a "dirty looking" spot on the glove box wouldn't bother me at all. What color is your Prius? Want to trade your rear bumper covers and glove boxes?
     
  16. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny Hamilton @ Oct 18 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]527500[/snapback]</div>
    hehe. i've got a seaside pearl (his name is pablo). i guess i would prefer a dirty spot on the glovebox to a bumper dent. on second thought, maybe it would like an out of sight out of mind thing. i seriously sit at red lights and stare at the spot--i better watch it, i'm going to have a wreck obsessing over that stupid thing.
     
  17. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Oct 18 2007, 10:11 PM) [snapback]527600[/snapback]</div>
    Seaside Pearl? Are you serious? If the interior is grey rather than tan, it's gotta be fate. Head north to I-80 and then head east. I'll hop on I-80 headed west. I think Sinclair, Wyoming is about halfway between us. I'll send you pictures of the bumper first if you like, you'll see that the impression is so minor that you can't tell it's there unless you know it's there.

    Ok, maybe I'm only half serious, but I'll bet the impression on my bumper is less noticeable than the mark on your glovebox. If you were about 2,000 miles closer it'd be almost too tempting to meet up and compare, and see if you want to swap. Ah well, if you're ever in the Chicago area, let me know.
     
  18. lgamber1

    lgamber1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny Hamilton @ Oct 18 2007, 10:47 PM) [snapback]527633[/snapback]</div>
    if i was closer, i'd be tempted to 'compare scars' too!! i will let you know if i am ever in chicago. and by the way, the interior is gray! i'm still holding out hope that maybe i will find some miracle product that will remove the mark some day.
     
  19. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Oct 19 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]527789[/snapback]</div>
    Meguirer's has "PlasticX" that is supposed to help plastics like "ScratchX" helps painted surfaces. No personal experience but the plastic does seem to scuff easily. My advice is to live with it as doing something may cause more harm.