Wheel trim piece - Scratched/scuffed

I went to pick up groceries this morning and when i got out of the truck, saw the rear driver side plastic trim piece around the wheel well had a scratch from the front, and then a scuff/scratch on the rear portion. It looks almost like someone walked by the truck and wasn't paying attention with something they were carrying and scratched the front and then it didnt hit anything by the wheel, before striking the rear trim piece causing the scuff and scratch worse on the back. There is no damage at all to the metal of the truck around the trim and i cant feel it with my fingernail either. I tried going over with just water but that didn't work. Any ideas how to get it to fade or disappear? I have ScratchX at home that I haven't tried but I don't know if that will work. Otherwise, i saw that piece is just bolted on the outside of the wheel well, how much for a new one? This sort of thing really upsets me as I almost always find end spots and park way out to avoid this sort of thing. Why can't others be careful and not damage other peoples vehicles!? Thanks ahead of time.

 

I have better things to upset me.

 

Do you have pictures?

 

Pics would be helpful....but, in lieu of that.....do not use the Scatch-X...that will not improve your situation. Once these hard plastic pieces get scuffed, the best you can do is to try and minimize the appearance of the damage with a trim dressing...but understand that it's not a permanent solution. There are trim coating products, like Cerakote, which will last longer and protect the trim as well

 

Unfortunately all newer toyota plastics scratch easy. If it really drives you mad just order new ones. I’ve gone this approach a few times.

 

I wonder if Meguair’s PlastX would help at all. It’s more for clear plastics and headlight restoration, but maybe it would mitigate the scratches a bit? It’s cheap to try, especially if you’re considering buying a whole new trim piece. I’ve tried it on some plastic before. While it didn’t eliminate the issue, it did reduce it a bit.