How to touch up the trim panel around the power window buttons on the driver's side interior door?

[Don2222]

Hello

I picked up an 03 Toyota Matrix with 92k miles on it fairly cheap.

How can the paint be touched up on this trim panel? Does the panel come off? Is it cemented on?


As you can see in the pic with yellow arrows below there are many spots where the paint came off and you can see the black plastic!

 

[begreen]

If it was assembled, it can be taken apart. Remove the assembly, remove the switches, sand down the old paint and scratches and repaint.

 

[smoke show]

Or go junkyard shopping or buy new. Yes repainting will be cheapest.

 

[semipro]

This should be relatively easy to remove. If you don't find any screws it likely pops off.
Krylon makes a paint called "fusion" which is made specifically for plastics.
Whether you use that or standard paint make sure and degrease the surface (after sanding) with a good solvent such as mineral spirits or maybe alcohol. Otherwise you'll end up with "fisheyes" or worse.

 

[Don2222]

This should be relatively easy to remove. If you don't find any screws it likely pops off.
Krylon makes a paint called "fusion" which is made specifically for plastics.
Whether you use that or standard paint make sure and degrease the surface (after sanding) with a good solvent such as mineral spirits or maybe alcohol. Otherwise you'll end up with "fisheyes" or worse.

I think the dealer tried to get it off and when he tried to pop the bottom half it came loose and is still loose!

There are no screws, could the pins that hold it break or was it glued?

 

[Danno77]

Seems like a lot of work for little reward.

 

[Don2222]

Seems like a lot of work for little reward.

That is why nobody else wants to do it! But that is not right, people who do body work and this stuff should still do the small jobs. If they do it right then the next time they will get a good customer! My used car dealer I got this from has done it in the past but now noone there can do it anymore! What is wrong?

 

[Danno77]

Those panels are usually held on with a clip at both ends. You depress the clip with a knife slid under the panel. USUALLY.

 

[Jack Straw]

My Avalon is just like that and it pops of if pried with a small screwdriver, but I did break one of the tabs that holds it in place. I put a small brass screw in it to hold it in place. I believe you can remove the switch and paint the piece.

 

[Fifelaker]

I would be tempted to leave it on and de-grease . Then paint with testors modlel car paint and a detail brush.

 

[Danno77]

Fife, that's what I was thinking, except being married and all I was trying to decide whether or not my wife just has some nail polish in that color.

 

[Don2222]

My Avalon is just like that and it pops of if pried with a small screwdriver, but I did break one of the tabs that holds it in place. I put a small brass screw in it to hold it in place. I believe you can remove the switch and paint the piece.

Cool, Thanks so much for the Info. Since mine is also a Toyota, it probably works the same way.

 

[Don2222]

I would be tempted to leave it on and de-grease . Then paint with testors modlel car paint and a detail brush.

I bet the dealer already did me the favor of breaking off the bottom tab since it moves around and does not stay where it should!

 

[Don2222]

Fife, that's what I was thinking, except being married and all I was trying to decide whether or not my wife just has some nail polish in that color.

Well maybe if I put a small screw in to hold it in place, I can touch it up. Although matching it with nail polish may not be a perfect match?

 

[Jack Straw]