Repairing deep scratches on a plastic rocker panel

[Guido]

My uncle has a Toyota Matrix that received a good amount of curb rash on the passenger side rocker panel. We went to toyota with the paint code and I tried filling in the scratches, sanding, and polishing. The touch up paint seemed to be MUCH lighter then the rest of the panel. After sanding and polishing with some menzerna powergloss it didnt blend in at all. We figured we would just sand out the touch up paint being that it is an off color and try to file down some of the scratches. I went over it with more powergloss and a wool pad and now it seems to have taken off the paint here are some pics



What can be done at this point? Does plastic not take to touch up paint/sanding/polishing as good as metal? The paint code on the door has two sets of numbers. Do they use a different paint on plastic parts? Would we be able to get the paint in a spray can and just redo the entire piece?

thanks

[truzoom]

How much is a new rocker panel? Maybe try filling in the scratches with putty, then primer, and repaint the entire thing with a few coats of the appropriate paint.

[Five Star]

Originally Posted by truzoom

Maybe try filling in the scratches with putty, then primer, and repaint the entire thing with a few coats of the appropriate paint.

thats exactly what you need to do.

the first number is the paint color, the second set should be the cladding color.

post the year and paint colors and i could verify the codes for you.

you should be able to order it through automotivetouchup.com

just remember you won't be clearcoating the cladding.

so should only cost you about $20 + shipping