Removing scratches from dash panel
 

I am changing out my NAV for triple gauges, the dash panel I sourced for the triple gauges is almost a dead match for my other panels, got lucky!

However it has a small scratch/gouge not through the top coat but bad enough to bother me, any suggestions for removing it?

Also can the dash panels be over sprayed with spray laquar to freshen up the finish, any suggestions on polishing the finish after restraint or prep work before spraying?

I polished mine using a high-quality polish (Wolfgang Finishing Glaze) intended for clear coat finishes.
Depending on how deep the scratch is, you may need to use a compound first and then go to the polish.
I also tried Plast-X, but found that the polish did a better job of giving a gloss finish.

As above first. If the scratch is too deep then 3000 wet and dry the whole panel and then polish afterwards. Should look as good as new.

Finishing fine wood is not my strong point....is a Power polisher required or can this be done by hand?

Any recommendations for a product that would be more locally available on Maui, shipping is very expensive. Maybe a 3M product or something most auto stores would carry, we have NAPA and Checker Auto here.

You could try Meguiar's Show Car Glaze for the polishing. You might need a more aggressive cut Meguiars compound for the scratch. I think they might have these at NAPA. I polished by hand using a foam pad.

Well I decided to have a go at it...

Went to NAPA and purchased the only polishing products they had on the shelf,
Meguiar's Fine-cut Cleaner #2 and Swirl Remover #9. I already had a bottle of 3M Medium Cut Compound as well as Blackfire Total Polish and Seal and Blackfire Crystal Seal.

Using the 3M Medium Cut Compound I concentrated on the deep scratch, after several applications and about 30 minutes I got the scratch down to a very small, 1/16", deep spot and decided that was good enough, Followed up with several applications of the Fine-cut Cleaner and then the Swirl Remover. Completed the job with a coat of the Blackfire Polish and topped off with the Crystal Seal...Man did this come out nice. Looked so good I decided to do all the dash panels in the same order..Left the Air Bag cover attached to the safety straps and did it in the car but removed all the others and did them on my work bench. By hand no power tools.

Looks better than new, what a shine and no scratches left anywhere..:icon_clapclap:

Also I got very lucky on the triple gauge panel, the one in the photo is not the matched panel for the other panels, I got it from a member to do the triple gauge conversion from NAV. It is almost an exact match!

That came out really nicely. Good job.

I see you have the chrome (or SS) rings, did you get the dash ones as well? I think these really make a nice look as opposed to no rings.

Wow James looks great!! I can't believe how the woodgrain matches so well. Nice job!!!


Neil

Well done. Glad you decided to use your hands rather than a power tool. These wood trim panels are too fragile to take chances with unless you have professional woodworking tools....

Looks like new. Congrats!:icon_toast:

Yes, I got the full 7 ring set in polished instead of chrome from a seller in the UK.

Excellent Job! Now it makes mine look cloudy.
Another project I think.

James, Great work. I love it when things are simple, I would have probably gone through sandpapers from 1000 grit up to 7000 grit in about 5 steps. Then rottenstone, then Pumice, into polishes as you mentioned. I'm glad to learn how much simpler it can be, thank you.

When you polished the nondamaged wood, did you need anyhing more than the Blackstone Crystal glass (the finest polish as I read it)? If you did, how far back did you go in your polish's heirarchy to properly do the undamaged pieces?

John

I used the exact same procedure on all panels except for the medium cut as they also had some minor scratches, the Medium cut works good for deeper scratches but the Lacguar is very hard so it takes a few applications to get deeper. Might have been easier to use some 3K wet sand but I am not experienced with this kind of work and did not want to risk damaging anything.