NEED HELP TAKING/BUFFING OUT SCRATCHES ON NEW 3RD GEN 2016 TACOMA

yeah idk about the sanding I would probably really screw it up, most of my scratches aren't that deep they just need some elbw grease and maybe one or two scratches I MIGHT try the sanding

 

I go by the method which removes the least amount of clear coat as possible. That's what you're doing any time you polish/wet-sand/etc., and you only have so much clear coat.

I start by doing a test area about 12" x 12", or maybe just half a panel depending on size (tape it off), and I try a medium compound with medium pad, and if that is good enough, then I stop there ... but if I still see scratches, go to more aggressive compound/pad as needed until all the original scratches are removed.

Usually as you go to a more aggressive setup it will leave it's own scratches in the clear, but they'll be less than the original scratches and you can tell they are from polishing because of the pattern. These smaller scratches I'll remove by going back and polishing again with the medium setup, and then finish with wax by hand.

So, if there is a lot of heavy scratches to remove it might be a process like this:

1) clean with soap to remove old wax
2) clay
3) heavy compound/pad
4) medium polish/pad
5) wax by hand

However, if there are only lighter scratches I may not need to do the heavy compound/pad ...

I only do wet sanding on fresh paint that has imperfections like orange peeling or clear that didn't lay flat ... I know I know, perfect prep = perfect paint, but reality is that often that's not what you get from a lot of shops, so some correction may be needed. That correction often comes in the form of wet sanding, then polishing compound, more polish, and finally wax ...

 

What JoeRacer302 said!

Start with the least aggressive method first. Then you can always kick it up a notch if needed.

 

that's how i started everything by hand and went w the Meguires and some pads and towel...my neighbor came through w his buffer and some 3m pretty expensive rubbing compound and polisher about 30$ a pop...

I ACTUALLY went through wit wet sanding down the scratches using the 2,000..followed by the compound and finishinh w the polisher ...took me two days to do both sides and the pin stripes came off !!
all I need is the car wash and wax her up

 

I have an MGM as well and put a few pinstripes on her this past weekend. After removing yours, did your scratches ever come back over time?

 

haha good shit man ....and no they didn't but if your pin stripes aren't deep you are good off with out the wet sanding ...other wise wet sand it with a 2,000 grit ....by hand till you can't see them...

then use rubbing compound either with machin or elbow grease ...after you should polish it and wax it .... do it by parts @Biggums

 

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if they come back over time it means that the compound you're using has oils that just fill and covers up the scratches. They'll wash off over time. I used meguires ultra cut compound before, and then I switched to the 3m cutting compound and it works amazingly. I tend to wash the vehicle after a cut polish just in case, but so far I haven't found the scratches coming back

 

Just be careful. I'm sure it goes without saying that you cannot do this an unlimited number of times. Each time you do it you are taking off a layer of clear coat.

I'd highly suggest a sealant or ceramic coating for the added protection. If you go ceramic it can be costly but if you paint correct a lot you'll be taking off ceramic layers instead of your actual clear coat.

With that said, fantastic results! You did a great job.