Light scratches all over from road trip, anybody have any tips?!

Whatsup people?!

Allow me a few paragraphs to explain how my business trip to Dallas turned into a nightmare one rock at a time..

So this past Wednesday I left at 4:30AM so I could represent my company at a nice little tradeshow in Dallas.. You see, initially the plan was to have the guy I'm working with stop by my house and pick me up and drive from Pocatello, Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah (about 170 miles) and I'd be able to catch a few zZz's on the way and dream about the new rims, tires, leveling kit, and floor mats I'm hoping to get on my Taco in the coming months..

Then disaster struck.

As soon as we got on the freeway he nonchalantly mentions to me that the tires on his sedan were way to big for the frame and anytime he goes over a bump the tire grinds against the fender.. Normally, I wouldn't make to big of a deal out of this, but all that changed in about two minutes..

1. He drove with his face 4 inches away from the window with his eyes squinting and seemed to swerve abruptly for no apparent reason every couple hundred yards.

2. It was pitch black dark out, the roads were covered in ice, and a snowstorm was supposed to hit us in route.

3. He mentioned off hand that he didn't get any sleep the night before.

All these factors coupled with the fact that his car was a blown tire waiting to happen made me come to the conclusion that I had no other choice than to have him turn around and I'd have to take my brand new Tacoma on a last minute road trip..

We turned around and in route things were going well enough, until about 40 miles in when we hit traffic and snowplows.. I tried my best to avoid it, but the inevitable happened.. I was hit by a gravel barrage by no less than two dozen cars (there and back) and upon driving home this morning and washing my truck, I realized the extent of my Taco's injuries.. It has (*I want to say light) scratches ALL OVER the hood, back, and both sides..

I'm hoping theres a way you guys can judge whether or not I'll be able to get them out, or give me some tips and pointers on what the best course of action I can take to get them out is! (*Will wax help?) I'm going to go take some pictures right now.. but I wanted to post ASAP.

P.S. Ironically, I ordered all weather mats and a hood bug deflecter the night I left! lolz..

 

Polish and then wax. Try Meguiar's 3 step process. Wax won't remove scratches, it would be more like a placebo in that the shine would only be distracting you from the fact that the scratches are still there.

If they're bad enough, I'd even consider going to a pro detailer.

 

http://www.zainostore.com/

Their products are awesome. They are expensive but worth it if you've got the extra cash. I got the total protection kit when I had it.

 

Wash truck.

Apply Meguiar's Scratch X.

Wash truck again.

Then apply Meguiars Gold polish.

 

Wash
Clay
Polish
Wax/Sealant

 

wow that stinks!
What were they laying down for road treatment?
After a winter season, I clay first by hand, then polish, then wax. I got a porter cable orbiter from coastal tools that makes step 2/3 easy.

 

They use gravel around here.. I see you're in Burlington! I used to live in Plattsburgh with my ex and I noticed by all the rusty chassy's they must lay down a ton of salt in the winter over there!

 

lol Texas is a long way from P-burg
Its trying to make a comeback since the Air Force base closed.
Dallas is more fun.
yes lots o salt here. Gravel