Scratched my MF'n tailgate, bodyshop question

My insurance paid about $1700 to repair a dent and scratch.

 

Painter here basically the whole tailgate will have to be painted for a proper repair , sand feather edge scratch , prime prep match color blend color and clear panel. Brand new truck I understand. That’s why I got a white truck LOL!!

 

Those come out super easy. I buff mine out at the end of every summer.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-remove-trail-pinstriping.504693/

 

If its a monocolor like black, white, or red and the metal itself isnt pushed in, you can sometimes fill in the scratch by flowing paint into it, then after its dried level it off with q-tips barely moistened with lacquer thinner.

 

Definitely took a couple deep breaths and sighs to just let it go and have fun after it started on day 1!

 

Yeah, luckily pretty much all buffed out. Trip was at the end of my first year of ownership and it was my plan to get a full detailing done anyways from other offroading scratches and dings. Got a hell of a deal from a friend at $150 to do it all.

 

I gotta ask...how did you scratch your tailgate installing a lift? Maybe there’s a new technique I’ve never heard of before.

 

Buy a porter cable buffer, pads, some polish and towels for 150 and you can DIY it for years to come.

 

Tailgate was down holding tools, I had the pumpkin jacked up, handle decided to raise itself and the handle edge came into contact with the tailgate.

 

that sucks!

 

Until you have no clear coat.

 

Lol, you aren't wet sanding or using a rotary buffer.

 

Uh, even when you are "buffing" with a porter cable you are removing clear coat.

 

I don't think he meant that he was going to vuff the same spot for years to come.

 

If you must have it fixed yes must repaint the whole thing what’s nice about the tailgate is it comes off very easy & can be left at the shop while you can continue to use the truck and when it’s done they just put it back on & plug the back up camera plug in easy.

 

Touch up paint should be the first move. If it still bothers you get quotes

 

A decent repair : to disassemble the gate, spend 20 minutes sand/prime/sand , then paint : expect minimum $400 (in my locale - Suburban Philly). Don't let anyone short-cut the clear ... must go all the way to the edge of the panel or it will fail over time.

 

Yeah, like 2 microns worth.

I did an annual polish (since it was black) on my previous vehicle for 8 years and its clear coat was fine. As long as you're staying away from many passes with a heavy abrasive pad like wool or microfiber you'll be fine. Again, I am only doing 1-2 passes to remove how noticeable the pinstriping is. I am not doing a full paint correction every year; my truck gets wheeled.