I've also checked all over reddit, this forum and others and there hasn't been a definitive answer. I really hope there can be something to at least get rid of the visible whitening of the plastic otherwise I can replace the rear plastic bumper no problem.

 

Same issue here. Week old car ( a year ago ) and a loose shopping cart on a windy day comes rolling down the down the parking lot with some pretty good pace. I was backing out and my warning signals start beeping ( I didn't know what was happening because it was the first time experiencing the backup warning ). I looked around and didn't see anything, my vision was blocked by the cars parked to the left and right of me, so continued to back up. Beeping starts again and the shopping cart grazes my rear bumper. If I had not stopped at the first warning the cart probably would have t-boned me in the side and caused some significant damage. I haven't seen anybody able to fix the plastic yet. Something always bound to happen to your car if you use it enough, so I didn't even think about changing the bumper for a little scuff mark. Some have wrapped their bumpers for a different look, could be a more reasonable and cost effective solution for you.

 

Try a hair dryer. Low setting should help with the wax, and higher setting may help with the plastic scratch blending out.

 

Hello All,

I am pretty upset as I am sure this happened when I was getting some items loaded in the rear by an employee at a store, their cart must have swiped it. Nonetheless, I tried to use turtle wax rubbing compound but I think it made it worse (you can see my swirl hand action trying to rub it out) and also some other general all purpose cleaner.

I was recommended to use 303 Protectant but was wondering if anyone knows how to restore this plastic as close to OEM as possible. Mainly annoyed with the whitening areas which didn't come off the last car wash, my OCD is driving me nuts.

Side rant, I take care of all my cars and have never personally caused damage to over 5 cars I've owned in the last 10 years, it's always been someone else either dinging my door or some shit, extremely frustrating. This is why I can't realistically buy something over a certain price, I would go nuts if even a scratch happened. For example, my last car was a BMW coupe (50k) and within a week of owning it, had two side by side door dings on the passenger. What is wrong with people?



View attachment 171391

Search results for query: remove scratches on plastic


Check the above threads. You may want to do another search with more specific details using search bar at top of page. Several had similar issues. Some have tried the hair dryer method as @sam999 explains.

 

I am assuming you are referring to the non-painted black plastic that covers the lowers sections of the vehicle. I have a 2013 and found that careful use of a heat gun darkened the plastic overall and made scratches less noticeable. A hair dryer would work on the same principle albeit slower. I do not recommend trying to eliminate scratches with heat as you are likely to damage the texture. I washed and dried the car then started a good distance from the plastic and slowly crept closer moving the heat gun constantly. The downside is that once one section of the plastic is darker you feel like you have to do it everywhere to make it look consistent. I have no idea how long the darkening effect lasts but so far it has held up well (6 months). The key is not to overdo it.

 

Try autopia forum.

 

And report back to us

 

Hello All,

I am pretty upset as I am sure this happened when I was getting some items loaded in the rear by an employee at a store, their cart must have swiped it. Nonetheless, I tried to use turtle wax rubbing compound but I think it made it worse (you can see my swirl hand action trying to rub it out) and also some other general all purpose cleaner.

I was recommended to use 303 Protectant but was wondering if anyone knows how to restore this plastic as close to OEM as possible. Mainly annoyed with the whitening areas which didn't come off the last car wash, my OCD is driving me nuts.

Side rant, I take care of all my cars and have never personally caused damage to over 5 cars I've owned in the last 10 years, it's always been someone else either dinging my door or some shit, extremely frustrating. This is why I can't realistically buy something over a certain price, I would go nuts if even a scratch happened. For example, my last car was a BMW coupe (50k) and within a week of owning it, had two side by side door dings on the passenger. What is wrong with people?



View attachment 171391

Just use a product that protects plastic. I just sprayed my plastic with a bottle of turtle wax plastic and leather protector and it turned that area of my car and above the wheel wells black. Since it protects from UV u should do it anyway.

 

there is a british made product called Autoglym bumper and trim gel, that tends to clean fix and hide most such damage.

According to their advertising, the Queen of England (and Canada) is provided with trim gel from this supplier

Autoglym plastic and trim products freshen up tired car exteriors

Browse our wide range of Plastics & Trim online. Autoglym world leading car care experts since 1965. Shop Plastics & Trim online now.

www.autoglym.com

 

303 Protectant will fix it good.

 

Hello All,

I am pretty upset as I am sure this happened when I was getting some items loaded in the rear by an employee at a store, their cart must have swiped it. Nonetheless, I tried to use turtle wax rubbing compound but I think it made it worse (you can see my swirl hand action trying to rub it out) and also some other general all purpose cleaner.

I was recommended to use 303 Protectant but was wondering if anyone knows how to restore this plastic as close to OEM as possible. Mainly annoyed with the whitening areas which didn't come off the last car wash, my OCD is driving me nuts.

Side rant, I take care of all my cars and have never personally caused damage to over 5 cars I've owned in the last 10 years, it's always been someone else either dinging my door or some shit, extremely frustrating. This is why I can't realistically buy something over a certain price, I would go nuts if even a scratch happened. For example, my last car was a BMW coupe (50k) and within a week of owning it, had two side by side door dings on the passenger. What is wrong with people?



View attachment 171391

Try using WD 40 its very capable removing scratches on a lot of different plastics!

 

Be careful of WD 40 on Toyota plastic exterior and especially interior plastics. Back in the day when all auto plastics were ABS or other petroleum based types WD40 which is also petroleum based was a good parts cleaner and degreaser. Now lots of the plastic parts are soy or organically based and can be damaged by WD 40. If you use it test it on a small section first. It may soften or degrade the trim over an extended time period. I suggest you stick to 303 Protectant. I have used it on my '21 XLE bumpers and it worked good.

 

I went into walgreens to buy some tire wet spray and there is all kinds of things that make the plastic of the rav 4 black again. That's just Wal greens oreillies or auto zone have a ton of things. Specific stating for exterior plastic "make black again." Zero guess work needed.