New to me truck...scratch removal and detailing help!

I just bought the truck and I washed it and did a pretty awful wax job I think I can fix the wax problem but I do have some general questions....

I bought some of the 5-7$ scratch remover and it appears to do nothing...any suggesting for scratches under the door handles, small tail gate or door scratches?

Any suggestions for a spot smaller than a dime (much smaller) where the paint is completely gone and is starting to rust? It is on the door. Would a paint pen work?

Best way to get the black trim around the back window to not have water spots? I tried back to black twice and it didn't appear to do much.

I used a cleaner wax from Maguire if you have better wax suggestions i'd be open to those as well.

I am really looking for info about scratches both shallow and deep.

Thanks guys! (I posted this in the detailing thread but there appears to be very little activity there so i put it here as well)

 

Cleaner wax for the lite stuff. Nothing will remove deep scratches but wet sanding, I use a 3m buffing pad for a drill (like the headlight restore kits) They work good for scratches and spot detailing.

 

Not sure what your budget is but you can look into a 7424 and some compounds, does a helluva good job.

 

Meguires scratch X 2.0 works great on lighter scratches. I pretty much wax my truck in it and it appears pinstripe free. It will not help deep scratched.

 

What color is your truck? Some of the metallic colors have a clear coat finish. Some solid colors don't. That will have an effect on how you deal with scratches. Personally, I'd rather deal with clear coat finishes.

Use GOOD wax and be prepared to put multiple applications on before you get desired results. I usually do 3 applications (in a couple days time) when I wax my truck.

Try polishing compound. (VERY light version of rubbing compound)

I use the same wax as you, and have great results. Make certain weather conditions are appropriate for wax application. Too hot, too cold, too much humidity, too much wind, etc, can make waxing a difficult job.

I use "Formula 409" sprayed onto a rag to clean all the rubber and plastics on my truck. Good to get water spots, grease, etc, off the black trim. Works good for removing any wax residue also.

 

It really depends on the color of your truck. Meguires makes a wax for black or white trucks. Used it on mine a few times and it seemed to get out some minor scratches. But I clay barred the truck before applying it. I actually use a wax called Rejex. It's mostly used as a marine wax, but it works really well and lasts almost all year. I used it on my car and I only had to wax it twice a year.

 

Could one use ScratchX on a 2 foot long scratch on the hood and ONLY do the scratched area? Or will this leave a visible difference in sheen between the area worked with the product and the rest of the hood?

 

No that should be fine. The key with using such products is understanding their limitations and how to use them. Scratch X 2.0 is a solid product- essentially an effective micro-abrasive. Use a foam/microfiber pad or towel (softer the better) and do several applications, not forgetting to buff it off afterwards, and you should see some results with any minor scratches. It isn't great for deeper stuff as has been said, in which case you need to start thinking about sanding, orbital polishing, paint touch-up, whatever the case may be.

 

There is a down side to this.
I recently polished mine. It took several hours.
It looks so nice now I don't want to take it back out on the "scratch" trails.

 

I use the Orange or White Pads but only do it once or twice a year, works fine.