Piano black scratch removal?!

[mattyholloway]

Hi all, just as the title suggests, my piano black trim has got swirls and fine scratches all over it. This is on the dash as well as around the gear selector. Has anyone else found this and is there a way to remove them? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

FYI all I ever clean the trim with is a micro-fibre cloth.

Cheers, Matt


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[Splash]

No experience, but something like (jeweller's) glass polish might work without being too abrasive. Try westfalia for options.

Toothpaste might be too abrasive, but still an option as it has been recommended for windscreens by Honest John IIRC.

[fest0r]

Pick an inconspicuous spot and give Brasso a try ;)

[JimC64]

How about ScratchX?

might be worth a go, try a little area first and see how it goes

[mattyholloway]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps, I'll have a go and report back!


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[Pikey Narna]

Hi Matt
I use Poorboys Black Hole. Works a treat and its so cheap
Andy

[Scott K]

Do you know anyone who is into detailing? Get some help from them. It is possible to remove the trim and machine polish but you will probably get good results doing it by hand. Start with the finest polish and pad and work up. Meguirs 205 or Koch Chemie micro cut are well respected but there are lots out there.
I would tread carefully with Brasso as I think it is hydrocarbon based which isn't great for plastics. May be wrong but you should manage to find the MSDS online.
What kind of MF are you using to polish the trim? You need to use a deep pile one like car pro boa not a thin cheap one. Apparently the Korean ones are the best!
Have a search on detailing world in the interior section for some tips. Good luck.

[fest0r]

I have always had great results with Brasso… most recently on a piano black TV base. Transformed from a hazy mess to factory new condition. I’ve used it on loads of plastics from PVC window sills to clock faces. If you’re worried you can water it down a little and just make sure it doesn’t overheat.

polish plastic with brasso - Google Search (https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&newwindow=1&site=&source=hp&q=polish+plastic+with+brasso&oq=polish+plastic+with+brasso)

[mattyholloway]

Do you know anyone who is into detailing? Get some help from them. It is possible to remove the trim and machine polish but you will probably get good results doing it by hand. Start with the finest polish and pad and work up. Meguirs 205 or Koch Chemie micro cut are well respected but there are lots out there.
I would tread carefully with Brasso as I think it is hydrocarbon based which isn't great for plastics. May be wrong but you should manage to find the MSDS online.
What kind of MF are you using to polish the trim? You need to use a deep pile one like car pro boa not a thin cheap one. Apparently the Korean ones are the best!
Have a search on detailing world in the interior section for some tips. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply Scott, I was hoping not to go down the trim removal route! I just use a regular MF cloth (not deep pile) with a bit of Autoglym plastic and rubber. Maybe that's how it's getting the scratches?




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[fest0r]

I hate to use any product on the interior. If it doesn’t clean properly with a damp cloth I use a little Windolene. Very gentle on any surface and the vinegar in it lifts anything oily. No marks on the piano black trim at the centre console one year in.

BTW, you’re probably doing it already, but make sure you fold the mf cloth in on itself as the binding can sometimes be a little abrasive.

[Scott K]

I know some guys who reckon a dry cloth does the damage. The black trim on these and BMWs are bad for marking. Think Festor has the right idea with a damp cloth. My car has the aluminium and I noticed that it is getting some marks but reckon it is my wife with long nails and rings.

[ukgroucho]

I know some guys who reckon a dry cloth does the damage. The black trim on these and BMWs are bad for marking. Think Festor has the right idea with a damp cloth. My car has the aluminium and I noticed that it is getting some marks but reckon it is my wife with long nails and rings.

Easy to fix... either remove long nails and rings or, if she objects, remove fingers ;)

Seriously though it really annoys me the way other people scratch my car. The C7 handles are better bit on the C6 they were the lift from underneath style and I was always horrified to see how underneath the passenger ones were scratched to hell as if people rammed their fingers into the car and the scrapped them up to open the door... drivers door was perfect as I took time to open the door properly. The C7 handles are better for eliminating that involuntary vandalism issue,

[JimC64]

Comments added....


Easy to fix... either remove long nails and rings or, if she objects, remove fingers ;) AGREED!

Seriously though it really annoys me the way other people scratch my car..........unbelievable and really annoys me big time, as my lovely old Gran used to say " careless dogs should all be hung"

[Splash]

Deaf Mother-in-Law who clouts the car with her rings or the zip on her handbag, then pushes the door open so it bounces at the end of its open limits. She then slams it shut when she gets out... MF is the first thing that pops into my head each time, although a cloth would be a handy gag! Should give her a cloth whilst she's a captive passenger. ;) She's not allowed in the C7 yet...

Strange how the Mercedes side of the family can't recalibrate door closure to allow for other doors/tailgate being open. She's done just over 8,000 miles in her Merc over about 5 years and still takes it to the local dealer and just pays whatever they ask!:banghead:

[KevinA6]

Mine has little hairline scratches too and have only used a very soft microfibre cloth to clean it. The really show up under sunlight. If you find something that works please post. I am to afraid to use anything on it incase i damage it further.


2015 A6 S-Line Black Edition Ultra, S-Tronic, Black Leather, Bose, MMI Plus with Touch, Ambient lighting pack, 20" Twin spoke Wheels, Mythos Black Metalic.

[fest0r]

Was it a dry microfibre cloth?

[KevinA6]

Was it a dry microfibre cloth?

It was [emoji30] but it's a super soft one! I'm afraid to try anything to polish it out as I don't want to use something abrasive and leave it with that terrible hazy look.

I've had the piano black finish in a few bmws and it has never scratched but saying that my mate has a new 5 series and his piano black trim looks like someone to a Brillo pad to it!


2015 A6 S-Line Black Edition Ultra, S-Tronic, Black Leather, Bose, MMI Plus with Touch, Ambient lighting pack, 20" Twin spoke Wheels, Mythos Black Metalic.

[mattyholloway]

Evening all. Ok, tried a couple of the suggestions. Started with the Brasso - didn't really shift any of the scratches but I wasn't rubbing that hard as I wasn't sure how hardy the surface is. Then I used a bit of Autoglym Polish on a dampened MF cloth, better results but not gone. Think I might order some Meguiars PlastX as this has been mentioned in other forums. Onwards...


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[Chesterfield313]

I noticed first time I used a cheap halfords MF cloth that it left fine scratches. I never use them now, I only ever use a sun glasses cleaning cloth. Works well and no more new scratches.

[KevinA6]

I read on detailingworld.co.uk that auto glym super resin polish will sort out minor scratches. Picked some up today and I'll try it out tomorrow and post the results.


2015 A6 S-Line Black Edition Ultra, S-Tronic, Black Leather, Bose, MMI Plus with Touch, Ambient lighting pack, 20" Twin spoke Wheels, Mythos Black Metalic.

[KevinA6]

Tried it out this morning with good results on light scratching. seems to have brought it up fairly well. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/16/bd0d8e8d34ab44d59589337f39a7d509.jpg


2015 A6 S-Line Black Edition Ultra, S-Tronic, Black Leather, Bose, MMI Plus with Touch, Ambient lighting pack, 20" Twin spoke Wheels, Mythos Black Metalic.

[Stevep1]

Sorry to revive this post but I'm having the same problem with scratching! Did this work and has anyone got any other ideas?


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[KevinA6]

Worked ok. Will probably need a few go's


Kevin

[Stevep1]

Cheers what clothe did you use?


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[KevinA6]

I used a small applicator pad to rub it in and a very soft microfibre cloth to buff off


Kevin

[Stevep1]

Ok I will give it a go, I'm surprised there's not more about it as it seems to be pretty rubbish to scratch so easily I've only ever cleaned it very lightly with a glasses clothe it seems like you can't touch it with out scratching.


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[KevinA6]

Same as that. Friend has a 5 series with piano black and it far worse than mine. It would scratch just be looking at it...!


Kevin