Interior trim getting beat up from seat belt buckle and entering/exiting

[glocke12]

The " pillar " near where the seat belt buckle retracts to is getting pretty beat up on both the passenger and drivers side in my 6th gen, and I also noticed that the trim on the lower part of the door panel has some rash on it on both sides also, presumably from shoes scraping against it.

Now that I am aware of it I am more careful but I really can't help what passengers do. I am thinking about throwing some kind of adhesive backed material on those areas to minimize it, but before I do so is there any type of after market product I can put on there, and is there anyway to get rid of the rash thats already there ?

I realize this is normal wear and tear for any vehicle, but this is likely the last new vehicle I purchase in my lifetime and I am trying to make it last and stay clean for as long as possible.

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[Vincenzo]

What I have always used is velcro. Buy the really wide stuff that has adhesive. Use the fuzzy side and it looks like it “growed” there.

 

[Badkarma8541]

I absolutely understand your pain. The first week i purchased mine. I ordered the vinyl contour wrap from sticker fab for that location. It’s strong and it’s smooth so the seat buckle kind of slides along it.. I have an old Bronco and the same thing happens at on my roll cage right there and it’s all gouged and chipped. So i knew what was in store.

 

[glocke12]

What I have always used is velcro. Buy the really wide stuff that has adhesive. Use the fuzzy side and it looks like it “growed” there.

Thats actually the first thing that came to mind once I saw the rash developing. I have rolls of velcro here I use for effects pedalboards I can throw on there until the vinyl I ordered from stickerfab arrives.

 

[glocke12]

I absolutely understand your pain. The first week i purchased mine. I ordered the vinyl contour wrap from sticker fab for that location. It’s strong and it’s smooth so the seat buckle kind of slides along it.. I have an old Bronco and the same thing happens at on my roll cage right there and it’s all gouged and chipped. So i knew what was in store.

Ordered some of that stickerfab vinyl, is it really robust enough to protect the trim ?

I wish I had thought of that or caught onto to it sooner. I am guessing there is no way to get rid of it short of replacing the damaged trim which probably isn't all that realistic.

Decided today also when asked if I wanted to drive people at work to a work lunch outing that going forward I am going to be highly selective about who I let into this vehicle.

 

[Ahmad310]

Ordered some of that stickerfab vinyl, is it really robust enough to protect the trim ?

I wish I had thought of that or caught onto to it sooner. I am guessing there is no way to get rid of it short of replacing the damaged trim which probably isn't all that realistic.

Decided today also when asked if I wanted to drive people at work to a work lunch outing that going forward I am going to be highly selective about who I let into this vehicle.

Do you have a link to what you bought on Stickerfab?

 

[glocke12]

Do you have a link to what you bought on Stickerfab?

topographic-seatbelt-panel-protection-2025-4runner

 

[Badkarma8541]

Here is what it looks like. So far so good.

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Thanks for this post. Ordered clear 3M PPF that can be applied to interior plastic trims.

 

[Scrappopatamus]

Here is what it looks like. So far so good.

That's pretty SNAZZY

 

[glocke12]

Here is what it looks like. So far so good.

that looks pretty good and is similar to what I ordered, but I am really not a fan of interior mods ...I may also get the 3M PPF mentioned previously if its less noticeable.

Also, my google fu has informed me that those trim pieces are repairable by heating them up and using a texturing tool on them. It's not something id attempt on my own but if I find someone local thats competent and its not expensive I may end up going that route and than applying a protectant.

Seems kind of silly given that in a decade my vehicle will be on its way to a junkyard but I am really trying to not let happen what happened with my 5th gen ( excessive mileage and excessive wear and tear within the first 5 years )

 

[glocke12]

Thanks for this post. Ordered clear 3M PPF that can be applied to interior plastic trims.

Link to what you purchased ?

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Hello @glocke12 .

What I ordered will be arriving tomorrow.

When I searched the product and reviews, it indicated that it could be applied to interior plastic trims.

I can't be sure until I use itt, but here is the link if you would like to try it yourself.

https://a.co/d/aQ2RpWP

 

[Tarekith]

I have rolls of velcro here I use for effects pedalboards I can throw on there

Thanks for the idea, now I know what I can use all that extra pedalboard velcro I have laying around for.

 

[ToYoDaMan]

Finally installed! I will be using a heat gun at low heat to seal the edges for extra insurance!

I had no idea that this was a problem with the seatbelt scratching up the side.

Never had this problem with my other cars or I just have not noticed the scratches.

Thanks everyone!

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