Scratches in GloveBox Black Plastic - Best Way to Remove or Hide?

Alan6984 on 16/03/2026 - 23:06
Last edited 16/03/2026 - 23:08

Hi All,

I am looking for advice on the best way to either remove / repair, or perhaps hide (as much as possible) scratches in the black plastic of a glovebox in a car.

My son is looking at buying this, and is fine with it, apart from the scratches. The price is already down as low as its going, including taking account of the scratches, so we are hoping there is a reasonably easy and not too expensive way to fix it if he goes ahead with the purchase.

I have attached a photo to show the damage.

Any suggestions gratefully received…. :-)

Thanks,

Alan.

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  • bigcheese on 16/03/2026 - 23:24
    +2

    What about replacing the compartment door with a second hand part from a wreckers yard?

    • Dunno on 16/03/2026 - 23:40
      +1

      Apart from vinyl wrapping it or something I doubt theres anything you can do beyond replacing it as bigcheese suggested

    • wowbigdeal on 17/03/2026 - 00:20

      I second replace the part. Cheap. Easy. Sorted.

  • CheapAzChips on 17/03/2026 - 08:22
    +2

    Before you spend money replacing it, you could try applying heat slowly and carefully with a heat gun. Don't overdo it, you're just looking to melt the "fluff" that causes most of the whitening on the surface, but it will be very easy to cause bubbling and make it worse if you're not careful.

    Failing that, get a replacement from the wreckers.

    • Alan6984 on 17/03/2026 - 10:08

      Before you spend money replacing it, you could try applying heat slowly and carefully with a heat gun. Don't overdo it, you're just looking to melt the "fluff" that causes most of the whitening on the surface, but it will be very easy to cause bubbling and make it worse if you're not careful.

      I guess, if we were going to replace it anyway, there would be no harm in trying this first :-)

  • Julio Gomez on 17/03/2026 - 11:12
    +2

    Can confirm:

    A heat gun (if u have one or can borrow it from your mates) is a perfect & the cheapest option for the purpose (if you know how to do that; just find some videos on YouTube).

    Just be accurate, no rush and the scratch/es will be gone without a trace, trust me. 😏

    This actually works very well with most plastic parts of any vehicle made nowadays.

    Cheers…

    • Alan6984 on 17/03/2026 - 16:14

      Okay - I am definitely happy to give that a go, especially if our other option is to replace it anyway!

  • raceygirl on 17/03/2026 - 10:28
    +1

    You asked for advice, just giving you an option.
    Your purchaser needs to remember they're buying a second hand car. New yes repair. If its quite alot cheaper than Trademe or market place PRIVATE SALES in your Island, then sell it as is. If its retail drop your price $100 to let him fix it or find another buyer at a highly price.
    I used to sell cars, groom and detail cars. I have some insight.

    • Alan6984 on 17/03/2026 - 16:13

      We're buying, but I agree completely with your points :-)

  • jjjj on 17/03/2026 - 00:03

    Oof that won't buff out. Is say put some stickers on and call it a day

  • metz on 17/03/2026 - 08:11

    Just replaced our glovebox and was not too hard to swap out ourselves. Cost approx $85 - 100 for a replacement one the from wreckers. I would say if you can't do it yourself call a workshop and get a rough price, should be an affordble repair.

  • raceygirl on 17/03/2026 - 08:25

    Try black or dark grey nugget

    • Alan6984 on 17/03/2026 - 10:08

      Try black or dark grey nugget

      Please can you expand on what 'nugget' is?

      Is this a product to purchase? If so, do you know where we would get it?

      • AleBeerenhoff on 17/03/2026 - 10:14

        Shoe polish. Although looking at the marks I am sceptical as the damage looks to be physical with depth to the surface, so its either cover it (ie vinyl or sand/paint - which in itself will likely remove all surface patterns so make it noticably different from the rest of the interior) or replace it (which is probably the best and cheapest option tbh).

      • raceygirl on 17/03/2026 - 10:29

        It's for polishing shoes

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