Ashy Interior Materials

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by p00kienrayray, Apr 13, 2012.

  1. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Just an observation. My interior panels are really ashy. Kinda like when you scratch dry skin, it leaves the white streaks. My dash and door panels are like that. I have to be careful how I touch the panels because it easily leaves these white marks behind.

    And no, its not my skin that's leaving them, because when I take my backpack out of the Prius and it (gently) rubs against the door panels, it leaves the marks.

    I have the black door panels/dash in my 2012 Two, so it really shows. It's obviously the type of materials Toyota uses, or lacks the coating that all my other cars have had. Is this something that armor-all can cure?
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I thought it was skin being left behind by passengers. Hmm I need to check it out. It is very annoying.
     
  3. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    2 words: LOTION EVERYTHING.

    even your backpacks.
     
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Ashy Larry agrees.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Yeah dude that's gross.
     
  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    When I wipe the panels with a clean cloth, the white goes away. I'm thinking it's dust.
     
  7. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Whether its dust or not, it shows more than other car interiors. This weekend I'm gonna massage Vaseline into the panels.
     
  8. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    On my next rental Prii I will take Armor All to the interior and see if it hides the scuff marks or not :p I have had decent success when I wash the interior with Pine Sol & water as rental cars are disgusting dirty when I get them. It takes away most of the white scuff look. I think Armor All or any other plastic treatment spray would do the trick and be easy to apply. It is the leaf pattern molded into the plastic that shows skin and scuffs. If it was smooth it would not likely show marks.

    Mike
     
  9. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Mike, u might be on to something here. Perhaps it is the different texture that is behind to easily visible scuffs. I know the Prius C has similar texture panels and dash, and the scuffs show just as easily.
     
  10. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    It's a nice looking plastic but it sure acts like sandpaper. My wife is one of those chicks that puts her bare feet on the dash as we cruise down the Interstates. You should see the skin mess after a road trip :mad: Needless to say she will be keeping her feet firmly planted on my floor mat in my new Prii :rant:

    Mike :)
     
  11. Erikon

    Erikon Active Member

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    Yep, the texture is like curvy rows of plastic blades, it'll scrape residue off of skin, fabric, whatever! A slightly damp microfiber cloth or disposable wipe will take care of it!
     
  12. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Before spraying any of the leaf surface, I would try it on an inconspicuous part first.
     
  13. Hoosier1

    Hoosier1 Member

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    I have noticed this issue since day one. It's amost impossible to close the glove box without leaving marks. I carry a microfiber towel in the car to remove the marks. The towel seems to easily take care of residue that accumulates on the plastic surfaces.
     
  14. ArkiePrius

    ArkiePrius Junior Member

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    I too have noticed it, I thought it was something on my hands for a long time. I finally treated my dashboard area with 303 protectant and it seems to have helped the problem somewhat, although not completely eliminated it.
     
  15. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Bonus using 303 is the UV protection :) Good stuff. I use it on my drytop gaskets, keeps them soft and seals out water.

    Mike