One more about scratches

Hi all, got my first scratches from off roading, as expected. I know this was discussed many times, but what's your recommendation for the removing something like this? Thank you!

 

For the plastic, since it's not painted you won't be able to correct it without smoothing out the texture of the plastic. All you can do is cover it with a trim restoring product to darken the look of the plastic which will make it look more uniform. I am a fan of permanent trim restorers but low gloss tire gels (water based so you don't stain the plastic) and or interior protection like Aerospace 303.

Permanent would include products like C4 from gtechniq.

As far as the paint goes take your pick...M100, M105, FG400, lots of stronger cut polishes preferably using a DA. If you don't want to risk your 35-40k truck with your own skills, any professional detailer will be able to make it look much better. By professional detailer I don't mean the guy advertising in the yellow pages. Check out local forums and/or regional detailers listed on detailing sites like Autopia.

 

Just curious, would getting a clear bra over the sides of your truck prevent these types of brush scratches?

 

Yes as long as they didn't penetrate the vinyl. But then you'd have scratched vinyl to replace.

 

Don't off-road if you're afraid of pinstriping. Try some Meguiars Scratch X though on the paint. Those scratches look pretty superficial.

 

Buff the paint.... remove the flares and have them sprayed with bed liner.

 

The scratches yield way better memories than a clean surface. Can't always have the best of both worlds, but I see where your coming from.

 

Not sure if the flares are solid black, if so use some 3000 grit wet sandpaper and lightly smoothe them out. Then I'd rhino spray them, if you want permanent tough protection.

Or you could Plasti-Dip the flares in place. It's a real PITA to remove the flares, and not brake any clips/tabs. So dipping them is really easy and no hassle of removing.

But the dip does scratch off fairly easy, still adds a layer of protection.

 

100% way to ruin your paint. I am sorry but 99% of the body shops out there have zero idea how to properly buff paint. they usually just give it to a new guy or some low pay guy and he is picking up a rotary the first time. goes to town on your paint and will hologram the crap out of your paint.
And yes polsihes from a local store would work just fine. Like meguiars ultimate polish or for heavier cut ultimate compound. So your statement is 100% false.
Better off just go to harbor freight and get one of the DA polishers and learn on your own. it isnt hard just takes alot of time if done properly.
the scratches in the plastic flares not really much you can do about them. id just plastidip over them would be the easiest fix. http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/B...Light-Polishing-Pad-299p6337.htm#.WA9ZENUrJaQ
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/B...Heavy-Polishing-Pad-299p6679.htm#.WA9ZHdUrJaQ
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/HD-Polish+-8-oz-195p7234.htm#.WA9ZVdUrJaQ

 

Hey guys I'm still waiting for the dealer to get a set of the front flares for me, they put a high gloss shine on mine when they delivered the truck to me , when I hand washed it the first time , both front fender flares were scratched beyond belief, now I'm waiting and the stealership is giving me a huge run around wtf !!!

 

I used a 3M Scratch Remover Kit to get this one out after off-roading. It worked really well and it's pretty simple to do. I picked it up at Walmart for $20.

Don't use this on the unpainted flares though.

Before


After

 

Meh. I get wanting to keep an expensive vehicle looking great, but on the other hand a scratch-free panel below an Off-Road sticker is a bit incongruous. Just sayin...

 

Embrace them. Or else you'll be buffing your truck every time you go out on the trail. If you know you're going for a big offroad journey you can apply an good layer of wax to help a bit or if you are really going deep out there you can vinyl wrap. Other than that the scratches happen.

Id just not worry about them, maybe do a good buff and wax once or twice a year and take care of it then. Other than that just keep up with standard washing/waxing and leave the scratches be.

 

I got that one bad one out and haven't been concerned about the rest. I'll get to them when I get to them...if I get to them.

 

.
...^^^... A good PDR and detail guy can get most of those out.

Look in dealer's lots where they work and get a price from them.

A dealer would hire them to do your job.

So go direct.

$150.00 tops and maybe $75.00 ?? (with no repainting)

 

Nope.

You can do it at home with a dual action buffer, a few good pads and a good cutting/polishing compound like Menzerna FG400 or SI polish. I do this all the time.

 

That's where comes in...

Though I agree; for a one time thing not worth the time/effort/bother to get the right stuff to DIY.

On the other hand, I know I've used my gear enough times maintaining my family's various vehicles that I'd have spent ten times as much paying someone else to do it.

 

Got lots of those pinstripes on my 2016 on my 2nd off road trip. I did a clay bar treatment, then buffed it with Meguiars gold class liquid wax. Everything came back better than factory. Nothing you can do about the flares tho. Cover it up with some trim restorer.

 

For the scratches on the flares maybe try a few flicks of a plumbers torch and a wipe with a leather glove. Might change the colour a little though so test in a less obvious spot. I use that technique for gouges/deep scratches on my kayak and other plastics.

 

Scratch X, 3M Scratch Remover, even Meg's Ultimate Compound with a little time would do just fine on the paint as long as they were scratches on the clear coat. Sure, if he want's to put in the time, he can do it himself and save a little $$$. Otherwise, he can get a mobile detailer to come out and fix it while he's at work.

He asked for recommendations, so here they are:
1) It's a truck. It's going to get scratched sooner or later, especially if it's being used as a truck. Embrace the scratches if you're going to be off-roading or expect to keep scratching it. It adds character.
2) If you really want to remove the scratches (as evident by starting this thread), then you essentially have two options:
a) Purchase the above mentioned products (from Walmart, AutoZone, Amazon, AutoGeek, wherever) and a 6 pack, and spend a little time on the weekend to do it yourself. You'll also learn a really cool skill in the process.
b) Have a professional do it. It's more expensive, but it'll be done right and won't take up too much of your time (if any at all).

Best of luck, @4dimad! If you chose to do it yourself, check out the Detailing sub-forum:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/detailing.32/