Hmm this has also been on my to do list. My steering column surround is looking pretty ordinary...all scratched and losing colour in certain spots.
I will have a go at polishing it however will this bring the colour back without painting it? I could be asking a completely blonde question here. i know polishing isnt the same as a cut and polish but with the mild abrasive quality of polishes, will it work?
This is my surround at the moment (apologies for picture quality, old camera phone

)

Any advice would be great!
yeah thats what happens when people remove and reinstall the gauge cluster with the column shroud still attached.
sand it back and or smooth it off with bog and a couple of coats of good quality satin black should do the trick