Taco interior plastic sure marks up easy.

I read quite a few complaints on GM interiors on this forum. And I'll admit, sitting in and grabbing the wheel did feel better in a Taco than when I did a Colorado. I've owned lots of GM cars/truck and a Ford..... the one issue I have is that the plastic GM panels never seemed to scratch as easy as the Taco. Especially the speaker panels in the doors. They are easy to kick when getting out of the truck, the instrument cluster plastic is easy to scratch, the console too.

Anyone got any tips for cleaning, buffing, fixing these issues besides "be careful getting out of your truck"?

 

I agree. My driver door speaker panel looks like it's been out offroading on its own. I hit everything with 303 UV Protectant a couple times a year. It leaves a slippery/shiny layer on plastic and vinyl. Good for tonneaus too. It protects against scratches somewhat, and certainly disguises them. The exception is the instrument cluster and touchscreen. Anything stronger than a feather duster seems to scratch that material.

 

The scratch will look better once the edges wear down a bit. There might be better methods, but you can run your finger over the scratch to get the edges off. It will blend better.

The Taco interior plastic seems similar to what was in our saab. It would scratch if you looked at it wrong, but nothing ever broke. Our volvo (there was a lot of crossover between the two Swedes, but a lot of differences also) has very tough plastics that you really had work-over to scratch. But. . . the pieces would age and fall off or come apart. Very brittle stuff.

I expect that the Taco will look worn in some areas and won't break?

 

That is pretty close to what I do with them after reading the replacement thread. I use a Swiffer duster to get the stuff off that might scratch, then just a microfiber towel and isopropyl alcohol to clean them. No scratches yet.

 

I had a 2012 Acura that had the same issue if not worse. the B pillar looked like someone took sandpaper to it. And that was the result of taking off the seat belt over the time i had it.

 

No ideas for fixing or cleaning the scratches however, my complaint about the 3 Gen is the lousy console. I hope they replace it in the 2019. This console is poorly design with the parking break in the center. It gets dirty real quick between the parking brake and console . In addition if the had kept the parking brake on the floor the console would have more room that could be used for stuff. TOYOTA please put the parking brake back on the floor and redesign the console for better storage efficiency

 

Speaking of parking brake.... my boot is torn. I'm guessing from vacuuming.... I'm not happy about that. I guess I'll buy a leather replacement.

 

The plastic in my Taco is holding up much better than the plastic in my FJ did.

 

I agree my plastic marks up sure easy as well very annoying and I take care of my crap

 

I hit scratches with a VERY quick pop from a torch and then use a piece of cellophane to smooth and flatten the scratch lips.

 

There will be signs of wear and use when you use your vehicle. Imagine that.

 

The plastic does scratch wicked easily in these trucks - that's for certain. A little 303 here and there does keep them disguised for a good while though so I hit the interior about once a month with a fresh coat and everything generally looks pretty nice and fresh. My instrument cluster looks like I took keys to it though... I used a microfiber a couple of times when I first bought the truck and it's been scratched ever since - a nice microfibre at that. Since I haven't even tried to clean it or touch it and still it has a couple of fresh scratches on it that catch glare in sunlight making it tough to read at times.... I can deal with scratched plastic I can easily mask and clean. Hard to deal with the plexi that looks like I ran sandpaper over it.

there's a good write up on here about replacing it, but that's a lot of work for something that's just an annoyance - but not enough of an annoyance to spend 1/2 a day replacing it!

 

I have done this, and it works well. But like mentioned very quick pass with torch. Takes big balls to try it....

 

We have had five Tacomas over the past 25 years. The plastic in all of them scratched easily. In the past 15 years, I have had three Ram Hemi's. The plastic in them scratched easily too. It's just the "nature of the beasts" and if you are a perfectionist there simply is not a good fix.

 

I've heard a heat gun works well.

 

Yup. that's what I use but like a torch it can get overheated quickly so you have to be very careful with time and distance.

 

I've been using the glass cleaner Bon Ami on the plastic scuffs. Works well.

 

I am super conscious about this and still kick the damn speaker panel with my boots on accident lol

 

I just thought my drivers side speaker was styled with the scuff marks, I add about one every few weeks.

 

@Freegolf, my 2002 S10 was 14 years old, had 251,000 miles and didn't show scratches like my taco does.

Seriously, this stuff is a little soft.