Scratches and Scuffs on Body Clad Molding

[jake75]

Was backing slowly into a long driveway and did not notice a pine tree that sort of grew into the driveway area. The bark scuffed/scratched an area on the cladding area around the left rear wheel well. Is there a way to fix that without replacing the entire molding, e.g polishing it out and repainting? Nothing I can't live with but it is aggravating when you do something like that. If I would have had a choice I would have preferred the black molding just for this reason. Would have never noticed this if it were the black cladding.

[Ponyota]

If it's not the painted cladding then I wouldn't know. When they checked out the cladding around mine after the accident, I asked why they had to replace it. He told me that they can repair it and repaint it but anyone would be able to see where they did it because the textured surface would then be smooth.

[jake75]

It is the painted cladding and it looks smooth to me.

[JustinVGT]

Yeah, I've had a few bumpers replaced (rear-ended 3xs) and I was always told they cannot simply repaint the bumpers. If you look closely you will see the plastic is textured and if they repaint it, it would not match the rest of the car.

[jake75]

Sounds expensive. Most of the scuffs/scratches are on the wheel well molding - just a little onpart behind it that is one with the bumper. I may just leave it as is as a reminder of my stupidity.

[jake75]

Not looking for perfection - just restoring the same color would be fine as I am not sure it is worth my estimate of the $1,000 it would cost to replace.