reflexboy
MB Enthusiast
To repair light scratches to your interior wood trim, I would first advise removing the appropriate panel if possible to prevent damage to the surrounding surfaces due to substances used for the scratch removal.
With the panel removed (mine was the piece round the gear shift and window buttons), use some 'cutting compound' available from most car accessory shops/halfords. With a damp cotton cloth, dip the cloth in the cutting compound so you have a generous blob on the cloth, and work the scratch with a fair amount of pressure in either a circular motion or back and forth. Cutting compound is a course type of T-Cut and will, in time, cut through the scratch. Be warned, this process will probably not work if you have a deep scratch which has penetrated the clear coating which is applied over the wood panel in the factory. Work the cutting compound for a while, wiping the excess residue as you go, so you can clearly see the affected area, until the scratch is completely gone. At this stage DON'T PANIC-The finish will have turned very matt, with many micro scratches in it, they will come out.
Next stage is to get that new-look shine back. With a fresh cloth, use T-Cut on the cloth in a circular motion to get the shine back and remove the last bits of residue from the panel. When you are happy with the finish use some polish or wax that you would normally polish your bodywork with to bring out the shine even further and to help get rid of the residue from the T-Cut, which can be a pig to get off with just a buffing cloth.
As the panel I repaired has the window switch holes in etc, much of the cutting compound and polishes dripped down to the underneath of the panel, so I just rinsed this away using mild washing up liquid and luke warm water. Throughly dry the panel and give it a final buff up with a duster and some pledge or furniture polish. Refit the panel and hey presto-All fixed. Be aware this does require some elbow grease (I'm not responsible of any RSI caused) and takes a little time but the end result is an invisible repair.
Moderators: If you like my how to, can you put it in the appropriate section-Thanks.
With the panel removed (mine was the piece round the gear shift and window buttons), use some 'cutting compound' available from most car accessory shops/halfords. With a damp cotton cloth, dip the cloth in the cutting compound so you have a generous blob on the cloth, and work the scratch with a fair amount of pressure in either a circular motion or back and forth. Cutting compound is a course type of T-Cut and will, in time, cut through the scratch. Be warned, this process will probably not work if you have a deep scratch which has penetrated the clear coating which is applied over the wood panel in the factory. Work the cutting compound for a while, wiping the excess residue as you go, so you can clearly see the affected area, until the scratch is completely gone. At this stage DON'T PANIC-The finish will have turned very matt, with many micro scratches in it, they will come out.
Next stage is to get that new-look shine back. With a fresh cloth, use T-Cut on the cloth in a circular motion to get the shine back and remove the last bits of residue from the panel. When you are happy with the finish use some polish or wax that you would normally polish your bodywork with to bring out the shine even further and to help get rid of the residue from the T-Cut, which can be a pig to get off with just a buffing cloth.
As the panel I repaired has the window switch holes in etc, much of the cutting compound and polishes dripped down to the underneath of the panel, so I just rinsed this away using mild washing up liquid and luke warm water. Throughly dry the panel and give it a final buff up with a duster and some pledge or furniture polish. Refit the panel and hey presto-All fixed. Be aware this does require some elbow grease (I'm not responsible of any RSI caused) and takes a little time but the end result is an invisible repair.
Moderators: If you like my how to, can you put it in the appropriate section-Thanks.
