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Silver Door Panel Armrests

6.1K views 25 replies 16 participants last post by  mcatenacci  
#1 · (Edited)
Has anyone else noticed that the silver armrest on the doorpanel scratches very easily? I have babied my new patriot, but it seems that the paint/plastic just is proned to scratches. They are minor now, but I can see how it won't look so hot in a few years. I don't want to have to tell everyone to take off all bracelets and watches! :p Does anyone make vinyl/leather replacements? Is it possible to replace just the silver armrest portion or is it one piece with the panel?
 
#2 ·
If there is a seperation between the regular door and the armrest, it'll come off. You'll have to uninstall the whole door panel to get access to the back side.

You could wrap the doors with a vinyl foam yourself as an option too





PS the silver paint on my KJ (interior) is scratched all over the place. :)
 
#16 ·
Mine came scratched too. When I test drove it, there was no scratch and when I went to pick up there was. I don't wear a watch or anything so I don't think it was me who scratched, and I am the only one who test drove it. My only guess is the dealer did it when they filled it up.


Im just glad I did not get the 08 with the chrome door handles. I don't like the chrome shift knob, I feel like I have to polish it before i get out of my car.
 
#7 ·
for all the folks that say "its a jeep" in response to a Patriot owner's complaint please realize that jeeps don't roll off the line in olive drab with canvass tops anymore, if they did then folks probably wouldn't make a fuss. If its shiny it should stay shiny, if its painted it should look good, and if its plastic then it should be semi rugged and still aestheticaly pleasing.
 
#17 ·
I agree with Dmentd_Dan. :smiley_thumbs_up: Listen, I've owned nothing but trucks and have no problem in having them beat up, dented, dinged, scraped, chipped, etc. It just concerns me that a new vehicle would have interior components that scrape up so easily... especially given the clientel that would buy a Jeep.

We aren't the most gentle on our vehicles as it is (even when we try to be), so why not put something a little more wear tolerant instead of soft plastic painted in a very thin coat of paint. If they simply used the material used on the door panel I think it would have made a world of difference. I have kicked and scraped the speaker cover a million times and it cleans up and shows little to no wear. Thanks for all the feedback!
 
#10 ·
I saw this website http://www.wooddashexperts.com/customer/home.php?cat=5341 in another tread. If you want to cover the silver, there are these dash kits you can get in different colors. They even have silver. At least it will keep your silver untouched, but I don't know about the adhesive they use to put it on either.
 
#11 ·
"It's a Jeep" means that the dollars and attention went into more structurally and mechanically significant stuff than minor cosmetic stuff. No, I don't want my new Patriot to look all scratched and worn because it's cheeply made. But, the reason I chose it over the competition is simply because, while some of the other trucks might have armrests that hold up better, I dare any of them to take the pounding that I know the Jeep is engineered to absorb.

That's why the streets are still LOADED with beat-up Cherokees with wear on their under-engineered cosmetic trim, and I haven't seen an S-10 Blazer, Bronko-II, Hardbody Pathfinder or first-generation 4-Runner in months. Perhaps this weekend I'll go down to Pick-A-Part and admire their armrests.
:p
 
#14 ·
I'm sorry you folks are seeing such early wear on those surfaces. I might go for the wood grain kit if it gets to a point where the car is looking too beat up. Has anyone tried these kits?
 
#15 ·
#22 ·
Mine was scratched even before I took delivery. Since then, I've also scratched the silver trim piece around the stick-shift. These seem to scratch just by looking at them. I could start replacing them, but when does it stop.

I hope someone comes out with a better replacement for these panels.
 
#24 · (Edited)
I've done a thorough inspection of all the silver components and have found areas where the paint is completely missing exposing the plastic on the rear passenger arm rests. I haven't had anyone in the back seat, so I'm left to believe that it is from the factory/dealership.

I called my sales person, only to find out they no longer work there. Good grief, I just purchased it from him 2 weeks ago. In any case, I spoke with the dealer's service rep and told him the problems and asked if it was something covered under the normal warranty. He stated that he had not heard of similar problems, but they would be more than glad to look at the silver arm rests and order the replacement parts as it should be covered under the warranty.

My only fear is that they replace them with components that are proned to wear just as easily. :doh: I'm begining to wonder if I should just install one of those interior accent kits spoken about earlier in this thread. At this point, it looks like those might be more durable than the factory installed parts! Any thoughts?
 
#25 ·
.....My only fear is that they replace them with components that are proned to wear just as easily. :doh: ..... Any thoughts?
When the new parts come in get them clear coated maybe. Heck even a rattle can will give you more protection than not, just do the prep work. prep is everything (well, almost) when it comes to painting.
 
#26 ·
Yeah mine was scratched when I got it also, I was kinda sad about that, but didn't want to make a huge deal about it, besides, I'm sure I would've scratched it eventually anyways no matter how careful you are! At least I wear my watch on my right wrist.

Hopefully eventually they come up with better ones and I can replace them all at once when they get bad.

Most of the plastic parts in the Jeep scratch way too easily, even the bezel!!! I scratched my new bezel just putting it in! Or sliding things in and out of the back such as a cooler, that plastic scratches easily!! :(