I love my new 2005 Xterra; but my only beef with it presently is that the darker graphite color plastic dash trim produces some extremely noticeable scratches, even from just everyday use. I have acquired some rather deep scrathces in on the center console (right on the section that the 4WD controls are located) that I would like to deal with. I have no idea where to even begin. I could A.) search long and hard for some type of 'scratch remover' for the plastics that are inside the X's interior, OR B.)I could just replace that one particular dash trim/mold.

The problem I am faced with is accessibility, though. I haven't found a scratch remover, and there is no way (that I know of) outside of a dealership that would make it possible for me to order just that one piece of graphite dash trim and replace it...

Here's a representation of the problem

the area in the red box is what i'll need to replace if i cannot find a suitable 'scratch remover'

Anyone else faced with a similar problem?
What should I do?

Thanks
~GH

my problem is the cargo area.....total scratch magnet. i need to invest on some kind of cargo mat.

Yeah I found that out the first day I had my new X... put a box back there and it slid around on the hard plastic scuffing it to heck and back... a mat is a good idea.

Bored at work and saw post. Have a friend who works in body work and custom autos. I have been told that using a hair dryer on scratches in plastic panels will remove most. I have tried once on small scratch and it worked well. Might want to try before replacing panels.

k, thanks for the info I'll try it, but these are rather large scratches (about 1mm deep.)

Did you ever get the scratches out?

Heat will remove scratches but a word of warning. It does make a bright(shiny) spot in the area that was heated which sometimes can be more noticed than scratches.
What I have used for light scuffs or scratches is a black body colored wax made by Turtle Wax.
Its intended for the exterior of a car but it also fills in scuff marks in the graphite trim.