2016 Vito Tourer (w447) interior panels repair

[Qasim11]

Hi All

I use my vito for minicab and chauffeur work and over the last 2 years the rear interior panels have started to fade from where people rest their arms. There are also scuff marks and some scratches from people’s watches and jewellery. Sadly it’s becoming quite an eyesore and I’d like to find a way to repair or restore the 2 panels. (Please see attached pics)

I’ve done a bit of searching online and see that a few people recommend plastic dyes. Just wanted to know if anyone else has had similar problems and whether or not this is the right approach?

Also are the panels easy to take off? I’d feel better if I could take the panels out and repaint or dye them properly.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Qasim

 

[DSM10000]

Hello Qasim and welcome to the Forum.

I am not sure painting or dying will help, the trim colour is part of the plastics material when they are formed and paint would not bond well unless you used special primers and flexible paints, as for dyes, well again there is nothing for a dye to bind too so it would likely rub off.

Specialist paint shops might be an answer although I imagine rather expensive in terms of labour plus time off the road for you?

Look here for an example of one method:

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A wrap over the trim may be another solution?

 

[Qasim11]

Hello Qasim and welcome to the Forum.

I am not sure painting or dying will help, the trim colour is part of the plastics material when they are formed and paint would not bond well unless you used special primers and flexible paints, as for dyes, well again there is nothing for a dye to bind too so it would likely rub off.

Specialist paint shops might be an answer although I imagine rather expensive in terms of labour plus time off the road for you?

Look here for an example of one method:

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

A wrap over the trim may be another solution?

Hi DSM

Cheers for the reply. I came across that video whilst searching for solutions and although it has a fix for scratches it doesn’t sort out the faded areas from scuffs etc.

It’s funny what you say about the dye... so many companies selling paint and dye for car interiors. Do you think they may come with primer etc to help stick to the plastic??

 

[DSM10000]

Hi DSM

Cheers for the reply. I came across that video whilst searching for solutions and although it has a fix for scratches it doesn’t sort out the faded areas from scuffs etc.

It’s funny what you say about the dye... so many companies selling paint and dye for car interiors. Do you think they may come with primer etc to help stick to the plastic??

Some are formulated to stick to plastics on their own and are flexible, like most things with paint etc the final result will depend on how well you prepare the surface, some have fillers incorporated to hide scratches.

If you are going to do it with the panels removed, which is a very good idea, then it might be worth investing in some trim / panel removal tools as the panels will be held in with hidden clips and other fixings.

Something like :https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07917TDL6/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

I would also ask a local car body shop for advice on products etc.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

I have a guy up here that's on his fourth Passat Interior, the car has done 450k on the original engine second clutch and DMF , but otherwise all original (aside from usual wear and tear items) now, what he does is trawl the internet looking for spare interiors, all to match his car. When I saw it you would never know it had that much mileage on it. Looked as young as mine . So it may be worth looking for an interior as a spare and use parts as necessary, things like the drivers door card will wear, maybe the passengers, then of course there are seat wear and damage caused.. its just an idea if you want to keep her in good condition??

 

[Qasim11]

Some are formulated to stick to plastics on their own and are flexible, like most things with paint etc the final result will depend on how well you prepare the surface, some have fillers incorporated to hide scratches.

If you are going to do it with the panels removed, which is a very good idea, then it might be worth investing in some trim / panel removal tools as the panels will be held in with hidden clips and other fixings.

Something like :https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07917TDL6/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

I would also ask a local car body shop for advice on products etc.

Cheers for the information... will defo speak to a body shop and get some advice from them as well.

 

[Qasim11]

I have a guy up here that's on his fourth Passat Interior, the car has done 450k on the original engine second clutch and DMF , but otherwise all original (aside from usual wear and tear items) now, what he does is trawl the internet looking for spare interiors, all to match his car. When I saw it you would never know it had that much mileage on it. Looked as young as mine . So it may be worth looking for an interior as a spare and use parts as necessary, things like the drivers door card will wear, maybe the passengers, then of course there are seat wear and damage caused.. its just an idea if you want to keep her in good condition??

Hi mate

That’s definitely an option worth thinking about but the problem is the car is only a 16 plate so not sure if there’ll be many interiors floating around. Guess I’ll have to do a search and see.

Thanks for the advice : )

 

[wu56Shoozz]

Put it up on parts finder and see what comes up.. even if its a right off it may still offer some decent parts..

 

[Qasim11]

Put it up on parts finder and see what comes up.. even if its a right off it may still offer some decent parts..

Ok cool....

Stupid question but is there a name for that panel?? They are located in the rear of the vito

 

[wu56Shoozz]

So its not the "door panel" then? The panels at rear most on the van are the quarter panels, then door, then front Passengers and drivers.

 

[Qasim11]

So its not the "door panel" then? The panels at rear most on the van are the quarter panels, then door, then front Passengers and drivers.

No not the door panel.

Please see attached

 

[wu56Shoozz]

Nice Interior!

Rear Quarter Panel..

 

[Qasim11]

Nice Interior!

Rear Quarter Panel..

Cheers man, I work hard to keep her looking clean but inevitably there’s gonna be wear and tear : (((((