anyone sand interior plastic panels of trunk?

Anyone scratch the shit out of their trunk carrying metal fencing and basically make gouges in the sides? Me neither. But if some idiot did that, has anyone sanded or tried something to alleviate some of the deep wounds that metaphorically hurt my soul when I see it? Thank you.

 

Badges of honor. Take out the carpets and seats, install a plywood floor, and it will blend.

 

I’ll need to check as I actually just got my first 4Runner last night (traded in a taco), but I happen to work in the plastics industry. It’s most likely some kind of abs, kydex, or polyethylene based plastic used there. A Dremel or something similar on lower speed and just going at it lightly would be a better option depending on the size of the gouges (using something like a router bit). Sanding could work but would gum up quickly so you’d have to keep an eye on that.

Also a heat gun, get a few inches from it, keep an eye on it but it should start to get soft then you could work it a little. It’ll make it glossier though, but you could go back and get rid of that easy enough with more sanding or whatever.

or see how much it cost for those panels lol

 

The interior plastics have the same durability as a block of cheese. I think the best thing is to just roll with it how it is. Sanding might make it look worse unless you blend it well.

 

Gonna sand off the texture and will see any imperfections even more after.

Its a trunk I'd leave it bound to happen again.

 

I had the same issue on an FJ Cruiser. Looked into doing a Line-X coating, but the prep was going to run the labor up too high.

Could you find replacement panels from a used/salvaged T4R?

 

https://www.canvasback.com

 

Refurbish general aviation interiors once in a while. Scuff up the plastic with some medium scotch brite, and there are all types of spray paint geared towards plastic. Just remember, multiple light coats is the way to go.

 

Someone had a post about using a heat gun/blow torch and extremely slowly applying heat until the scratches melted/blended back in. I'll try to find it, but the pictures he shared looked great.

 

I've removed a couple of previous owner scratches on top of dash of this truck with 0000 steel wool, can't see where they were now.

 

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the feedback. I guess I will just live with it. I am basically a gorilla so anything involving finesse is a no go.

Thank you. I will try heating it and manipulation. Beyond that, I will live with it.

 

I heard of the of these soft plastic before I got mine. I bought some Uhaul furniture blankets and doubled them up over wheel wells and entire cargo area. It actually works well and keeps stuff from sliding and less noise also from tool boxe etal I carry back there. Just an idea. They worked great for me in Explorer for years also.

 

Haha! Thanks. I actually got moving blankets I carry with me. Took them out this once, made a quick stop at Home Depot and "its one time, I won't mess anything up". First turn, metal fencing slides, gouges everything to shit. Awesome. The one time I didn't carry them...

 

Ain't that the way it always is?