Center Console Trim Is Scratched Up

On my recently purchased pre-owned 2022 SR5 Premium, the silver plastic factory center console trim panel is all scratched. This pic doesn't really show how bad it is.

I'm contemplating one of two fixes- either removing this one and lightly sanding it and repainting it, or, ordering what is called an overlay trim piece from this outfit called "4RUNNER LIFESTYLE".

Has anyone else dealt with this scratched trim piece problem, and what did you do about it? Are these overlays from 4RUNNER LIFESTYLE any good? I can't decide which color would be most durable- the gloss black, matte black, or that carbon fiber design.

Again, looking for advice from anyone who has had to deal with this panel being scratched up. Thanks.

Here's a link to the overlay kit from 4RUNNER LIFESTYLE: It looks like there are two pieces to install.

https://www.4runnerlifestyle.com/co...-transfer-case-overlay?variant=42338367144181

 

Yep, mine too. I don’t think paint is a viable long term solution. It will scratch up too.

 

Short of replacing it with an OEM or aftermarket piece, you might first remove the center cover and try to buff out the scratches (I'm assuming they are fine scratches) using a plastic polish and electric buffer. Can't hurt.

 

Pull it off and vinyl wrap it - use a satin or matte finish and call it a day.

I dislike having scratches on mine but I understand that no matter what I do I’ll have scratches there. It’s in a very annoying convenient spot.

Stay away from overlays - overpriced and garbage fitment 90% of the time.

 

FYI - 4runner Lifestyle has horrible turnaround time from start to finish. Their customer service team provides lip service and nothing more. Buyer Beware my friend.

 

Thank you everyone for your advice. I’ll refrain from ordering that aforementioned overlay kit.

I think I’ll investigate getting it wrapped in a matte finish. I’ll report back on this thread at some point. Thanks so much! TBC…..

 

I order an overlay. They are cheap, easy to install and if they get messed up they are easy to replace.

 

Just a tip: gloss hides scratches better than matte/satin.

 

I have a carbon fiber overlay I never used I'll sell you

 

Know of any decent looking ones?

 

No, im perfectly fine with my scratched silver center console.

Just take a look on Amazon and order the one with the best reviews. They probably cost $50 or less.

 

Got 1 for sale

 

Personally, the carbon fiber overlay would probably show the fewest scratches compared to gloss or matte black. I don't really pay too much attention to mine.

As others have mentioned, 4runnerlifestyle seems to be more of a middleman so lead times can be long and fitments questionable

 

As mentioned previously, try some ultra fine polishing compound.

$17 Meguiar's Mirror Glaze M10508 Ultra-Cut Compound - Professional Grade Formula with Fast Cutting Action that Removes Scratches, Heavy Swirls and More - 8 Oz

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003LMGDHI?ie=UTF8

 

I have a 2021 I bought this year. It is the only piece on the entire car that has a scratch on it. Was thinking of replacing it and was wondering how difficult it is to take this piece off and what Toyota charges for them.

 

Grab the cup holder and pull up hard. Take shifter off first though

 

Thanks for the info @Kezin. We'll see if I get around to it sometime in the next few months.

 

I have the carbon fiber overlay, got it from cartrimhome home and I think it looks great. Good fit and finish.

 

Here's the way mine looks. I will try the mirror glaze like @ualfltdispatch suggested. I have a bottle of this already. It looks worse in the picture than it does in person. I have a flashlight held at the right angle making them more prominent. Does anyone have pictures of their overlays? I would like to see the carbon fiber already installed...

 

Have you read a post and had that split second "Wait, did I start this thread?" feeling. I was about to start a thread on this topic, then decided I should do a quick search. Love this forum.

My center console looked like the ones you guys posted. I read/appreciated the ideas - paint, wrap, overlay... and decided to try treating it like the paint on the body - light correction, then polish. Just a simple LIGHT two-step process. I'm assuming the paint on these is considerably thinner than the paint on the body, so wasn't aggressive at all.

I’d say it was 90% effective. If I’d been slightly more aggressive, they’d be completely gone… or, I’d see black plastic.

 

Don’t get anything from 4Runner lifestyle.

 

Why?

 

once you done "paint correction", order from Amazon paint protection film, apply it and forget abt it

 

Rec'd this today form Amazon. $58. Fit and finish are spot on. Says to let it layover without taping for a few days to relax it. Then pull the tape.

 

could try buffing. I ordered new OEM pieces for mine. not expensive and their trim pieces are really easy to replace