Deep scratches on exterior plastic trim

[podian]

Hi everyone, I've spent several hours seraching and reading the forums, and ultimately I decided that being a novice I should ask you guys what would be the best way to solve my problem:
:idea:

Someone had backed up into my wife's friend's 2013 Scion FR-S, damaging her driver side mirror. Here's a stock picture (http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/15-2013-scion-fr-s-review.jpg) of the mirror. Now the black plastic trim at the outermost part of the mirror got scraped (circled here (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/podian/15-2013-scion-fr-s-review.jpg), and I'm just not sure how to fix it. There's a significant scrape from front to back and it's no longer black anymore, etc. The surface is a bit pebbly so I'm scared of using sandpaper...

Should I just use black permanent marker (or tire shine, or back to black, or ???) and hope for the best?
Is there any way to redo the surface so it's less visibly scratched? Sand the entire trim area?...Or is the best option, even though it's such a small scratch, to buy a new mirror from her dealership (Link: Canada Scion (http://richmond.openroadscion.ca/))?

Oh and if it makes a difference, her car is blue, not red like the photos.

Much thanks for any help given. :thankyousign:

[Mike Phillips]

Hi everyone, I've spent several hours searching and reading the forums, and ultimately I decided that being a novice I should ask you guys what would be the best way to solve my problem:



Since this is your first post...

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:






Someone had backed up into my wife's friend's 2013 Scion FR-S, damaging her driver side mirror.

Now the black plastic trim at the outermost part of the mirror got scraped (circled here (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/podian/15-2013-scion-fr-s-review.jpg), and I'm just not sure how to fix it.

There's a significant scrape from front to back and it's no longer black anymore, etc. The surface is a bit pebbly so I'm scared of using sandpaper...




Here's the picture, it's also in your free gallery here on AGO


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/2013_Scion_FR_S_Mirror.jpg






Should I just use black permanent marker (or tire shine, or back to black, or ???) and hope for the best?



The permanent black Sharpie marker is one of my regular secrets of fixing intricate issues like this. It's not going to be permanent as the dye in the Sharpie will wear off with normal wear-n-tear.

Buy a brand new Sharpie and keep it in the driver's door pocket and tell you wife's girlfriend to touch it up as needed.

Also, it's not really black but kind of a dark purple. Not the best fix but the fastest fix.

You could also try using some touch-up paint, perhaps some flat or matte black touch-up paint.





Is there any way to redo the surface so it's less visibly scratched? Sand the entire trim area?...



This is one of those projects where more and more work doesn't alway equal better and better results.







Or is the best option, even though it's such a small scratch, to buy a new mirror from her dealership?

Oh and if it makes a difference, her car is blue, not red like the photos.

Blue or red, these are very cool cars.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/2013_Scion_FR_S_.jpg







If it were mine I'd opt for getting a brand new mirror and then practice the art of

Careful Parking

When out in public. Sorry to say but it's really hard to own something nice and keep it nice because too many other people just plain are not nice and they don't care about you or your car.



[QUOTE=podian;961695]

Much thanks for any help given. :thankyousign:



I'm sorry I don't have any better tips for such a small but complicated repair.

I will suggest you send her the link to this article though and take a moment to read it carefully if she wants to keep her cool looking car looking cool.


DON'T WASH CAR !!!!!!!!!!! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/66855-don-t-wash-car.html)


Or next we'll see either you or her starting a thread like this one...



How do I remove the dealer installed swirls? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/28401-diso-dealership-installed-swirl-option.html)




:)

[podian]

:thankyousign: for the warm welcome Mike.

Great advice; I'll try the Sharpie since that came recommended though I was prepared to spend a few hours and a bit of money on this seeing as she's a very good family friend we've known for a long time, and I enjoy learning and trying new things.

I'll definitely pass on the part on the art of careful parking!
Especially since some jerk probably drove into the mirror.

Maybe then people can own nice things for a little while longer. :D

[Mike Phillips]

I'll definitely pass on the part on the art of careful parking!
Especially since some jerk probably drove into the mirror.

Maybe then people can own nice things for a little while longer. :D




Even with my truck sitting on 40" tall tires and a 12" lift Hijacker Spring Kit, I still park her carefully.



:)