How to remove scratches from the plastic trims around the bed?(Update:With instruction how to replace the trim - See end of page5)

[Sylvester]

One week in and I already put some heavy scratches into the plastic around my bed. While the scratches on the side are more superficial, the scratches on the top are pretty deep. I think it happened during the installation of the bed cover. Any idea how I can get those scratches out without any bigger damage to the whole plastic trim?

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[Cubican]

Used a heat gun it will take care of that just make sure you don’t melt the plastic

 

[Sylvester]

Used a heat gun it will take care of that just make sure you don’t melt the plastic

I thought about it but kind of afraid to get some discoloration and make it even worse.

 

[Sylvester]

Used a heat gun it will take care of that just make sure you don’t melt the plastic

That was a terrible idea. I did it and was really careful and did it for a very short period and it severely damaged the plastic. I should have known better but I thought I give it a chance. Well, now I have to order the entire trim to replace it because it looks like sh*t.

 

[ValenciaOrange]

That was a terrible idea. I did it and was really careful and did it for a very short period and it severely damaged the plastic. I should have known better but I thought I give it a chance. Well, now I have to order the entire trim to replace it because it looks like sh*t.

On my Corvette I had scratches like that on a door handle, and I used a heat gun. The scratches came out, then I accidentally touched the tip of the heat gun to the handle. It melted. I should of just left it alone. Cost me a lot of money to replace the handle.

 

[Sylvester]

On my Corvette I had scratches like that on a door handle, and I used a heat gun. The scratches came out, then I accidentally touched the tip of the heat gun to the handle. It melted. I should of just left it alone. Cost me a lot of money to replace the handle.

This trim is super heat sensitive and changes structure, even with low heat. This is how it looks like with mine, super annoying. Again, I was extremely careful but heatgun is not meant to be used for this area. Now I have to figure out how to remove this panel. I already checked, the part costs around 150bucks.

 

[ValenciaOrange]

This trim is super heat sensitive and changes structure, even with low heat. This is how it looks like with mine, super annoying. Again, I was extremely careful but heatgun is not meant to be used for this area.

You had good intentions. Stuff like this happens. My wife would have said, leave it alone. I also have the tendency to turn the screw one more turn.

 

[Sylvester]

You had good intentions. Stuff like this happens. My wife would have said, leave it alone. I also have the tendency to turn the screw one more turn.

Agree, sh*t happens. It all started with the damn bed cover which had super aggressive clamps and scratched the trim.

 

[Sylvester]

Does anybody know how to remove this trim and replace it? I saw this Video and am wondering if it is the same for the Maverick.

 

[ColoradoShooter]

That was a terrible idea. I did it and was really careful and did it for a very short period and it severely damaged the plastic. I should have known better but I thought I give it a chance. Well, now I have to order the entire trim to replace it because it looks like sh*t.

I legitimately feel bad for you. Hoping that the advice given was the answer, but your gut said “no”‘and you did it anyway hoping for the best. You aren’t alone. We’ve all done it.

 

[Sylvester]

I legitimately feel bad for you. Hoping that the advice given was the answer, but your gut said “no”‘and you did it anyway hoping for the best. You aren’t alone. We’ve all done it.

Thank you, I really appreciate it! I am super OCD with my cars and this makes it not easier to deal with it... I just hope I can replace the part without destroying anything. I looked into it and it looks like it is pretty similar to what the guy is doing in the Video. I was hoping someone here would have some experience with it but since the truck is so new, I honestly doubt it. I guess when I receive the replacement part I will get a clue how to remove the actual part.

 

[HybridOnOrder]

One week in and I already put some heavy scratches into the plastic around my bed. While the scratches on the side are more superficial, the scratches on the top are pretty deep. I think it happened during the installation of the bed cover. Any idea how I can get those scratches out without any bigger damage to the whole plastic trim?

Hello,

I am also OCD about some things. However. It is a truck and when I get mine, I am planning on using it as such. So, fully expecting scratches to happen. Perhaps you can have that kind of conversation with yourself? As an OCD infused individual, I know it's difficult.

These pictures you provided are of a drop in bed liner, right? They are very close up so a bit hard to tell, but you did mention a bed cover, so I'm going to assume that's what you're dealing with.

If it is, I think they, (drop in bed liners) are meant to last five to ten years, then replaced. Perhaps knowing that, you can accept some scratches/wear and tear? It is there to protect the bed and the truck paint. Looks like it is working as intended.

I did a quick Google search, and it looks like there might be products that can remedy the look of the scratches (and perhaps the heat gun spot)? I have never used this product, so I am only recommending it, as a possible solution. And it looks like it's one of many! There's probably a YouTube video out there (or 1000 of them) about 'the best bed liner restoration products-where they compare products. I'd give one a shot before I replaced part of the bed liner. Just because it seems pretty inevitable on a transient part that is only temporary.
http://forevercarcare.com/

Having said all of that, I hope it all works out for you.
The first scratch or ding is always the hardest!

 

[Sylvester]

Hello,

I am also OCD about some things. However. It is a truck and when I get mine, I am planning on using it as such. So, fully expecting scratches to happen. Perhaps you can have that kind of conversation with yourself? As an OCD infused individual, I know it's difficult.

These pictures you provided are of a drop in bed liner, right? They are very close up so a bit hard to tell, but you did mention a bed cover, so I'm going to assume that's what you're dealing with.

If it is, I think they, (drop in bed liners) are meant to last five to ten years, then replaced. Perhaps knowing that, you can accept some scratches/wear and tear? It is there to protect the bed and the truck paint. Looks like it is working as intended.

I did a quick Google search, and it looks like there might be products that can remedy the look of the scratches (and perhaps the heat gun spot)? I have never used this product, so I am only recommending it, as a possible solution. And it looks like it's one of many! There's probably a YouTube video out there (or 1000 of them) about 'the best bed liner restoration products-where they compare products. I'd give one a shot before I replaced part of the bed liner. Just because it seems pretty inevitable on a transient part that is only temporary.
http://forevercarcare.com/

Having said all of that, I hope it all works out for you.
The first scratch or ding is always the hardest!

Thank you for your message!

This is not the bedliner, I have a spray in liner. The damaged part is the plastic trim around the bed on the driver side. I think I damaged it way to bad to be able to resotre it in a proper way. I think the cleanest way is to replace the part, what I am intending to do. It eems the removal process is a bit painful but I see it as a challenge and hope it will work out. I will keep you all posted!

 

[Edge Haley]

Sorry I didn’t see this before the heat gun. Heat gun against a petrolum based plastic is never a good combination. It’s probably too late but I fixed such a wound on my Honda recently by simply using a very, very fine grain sandpaper on as little of the scratch as possible…then soaked and rubbed Armorall plastic treatment around the area and it barely shows now….Sorry for the scratch.

Plastic on vehicles have plastic clips that are held in holes on the sheet metal. These clips often pop off and usually these clips have to be replaced…sure you’re tired of advice but I’d check with a body shop (or Ford body shop) as to the cost for their labor, but mostly just to ask them how hard it would be to reinstall the push in plastic clips or if a special tool is needed. I’ve done a lot of body work restoring old Porsches and some modern day body plastic pieces are simply pushed on with a few clips, and unless you know how they attach it’s very difficult to know where to pry them off. Body shop people usually have a manual that show how they are attached underneath. Without the knowledge of how clips are held on I wouldn't tackle this project in fear of doing more damage.

 

[Horizon62]

You had good intentions. Stuff like this happens. My wife would have said, leave it alone. I also have the tendency to turn the screw one more turn.

Before shelling out bucks to replace the trim, try and talk to a local interior repair facility. I am sure they know a product they use to repair plastic to restore color back to faded out plastic. It will have to be cleaned with alcohol and color matched to the non damaged area. 1 can of this special paint could be blended and you would never know it. It's worth a try, and you may enjoy doing it. Heck, you may start a repair business for plastic restoration. There will be plenty of Ford Mavericks that will need it! Good luck!

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