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Buffing light scratches

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Inverno4, Dec 5, 2019.

  1. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:04 PM
    #1
    Inverno4

    Inverno4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    5 days into owning my 2020 OR, someone scratched my freaking tailgate. Whether it was intentional or not, it's really pissed me off. Does anyone have recommendations as to fixing them? They are not through to the metal but they are noticeable by running a fingernail over them.
     
  2. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:05 PM
    #2
    ClubSoda

    ClubSoda Well-Known Member

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    Hey OP that sucks, people can be absolute shitheads..Can you show a pic of the scratch?
     
  3. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:12 PM
    #3
    Mr. Excitement

    Mr. Excitement Well-Known Member

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    Custom floormats, fuzzy dice
    If it's not too bad you can get it out with Meguires ultimate polish. Anything deeper will require polishing compound or even compound. You need to be real careful with those. Sorry to hear that bud. I have a black one and I've had it two weeks and it already has swirls from the dealership. Its just something I'll deal with. Scratches are much worse though.
     
  4. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:13 PM
    #4
    Cudgel

    Cudgel “Tonka”

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    ICON8 Lift -285s. upTOPoverland rack.
    I use a sharpie.
     
  5. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:16 PM
    #5
    Inverno4

    Inverno4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    44A062B3-7010-4A2B-A533-E14529D5F676.jpg The pics are with my camera flash since its dark. They go the entire way across the tailgate.
     
  6. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:30 PM
    #6
    dansflhti

    dansflhti Well-Known Member

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    A year ago August we bought a 2013 black mustang convertible . Last winter I bought a dual action buffer and some chemical guys pads, and Maguires m105, m205 compounds. Then I watched a lot of Utube videos. I was amazed at how well the paint came back to life. The m105 got rid of a lot of scratches and the m205 got rid of all swirls.
     
    na8rboy and Big tall dave like this.
  7. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:33 PM
    #7
    vicali

    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

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    Meguiar's scratchX will take care of that.
    Come to the Detail subforum and we'll get you sorted.
     
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  8. Dec 5, 2019 at 2:48 PM
    #8
    PhenixFord

    PhenixFord Well-Known Member

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    Use a Polishing Compound with your hand (safer than a Rubbing Compound). Just don't press down to hard.
     
    CrispyTacoLover likes this.
  9. Dec 5, 2019 at 3:42 PM
    #9
    Inverno4

    Inverno4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Any brand recommendation?
     
  10. Dec 5, 2019 at 3:46 PM
    #10
    TacoTaco24

    TacoTaco24 Wet behind the ears.

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    Following this! I got one long one on top of my roof from a tree branch while off road. It was such a bummerrrr!
     
  11. Dec 5, 2019 at 3:48 PM
    #11
    PhenixFord

    PhenixFord Well-Known Member

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    Not really. I use Turttlewax. I know, it's cheap. But don't go really really cheap.
     
  12. Dec 5, 2019 at 3:53 PM
    #12
    TacoTaco24

    TacoTaco24 Wet behind the ears.

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    I've got this and a similar but smaller scratch on my driver's side passenger door. Looks like it's similar depth in the clear coat to OP's.

    20191205_185151.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2019
  13. Dec 6, 2019 at 12:35 AM
    #13
    Boosted_Carrera

    Boosted_Carrera Well-Known Member

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    Kinda looks like someone brushed against it. Like a person carrying a large wide object or woman brushed against it with her bag. If you parked with little space between vehicles, that'll do it.
    If keyed, it'll be long, deep and single.

    Take it to a detail shop. That's pretty easy to buff out with RIGHT compound.
    The wrong way or wrong compound will go through the clear or worse down to primer.
    I've seen some stupid shit that could've been avoided.
     
  14. Dec 6, 2019 at 12:41 AM
    #14
    RyanDCLB

    RyanDCLB Well-Known Member

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  15. Dec 6, 2019 at 12:43 AM
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    Boosted_Carrera

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  16. Dec 6, 2019 at 12:55 AM
    #16
    Jasonstacoma

    Jasonstacoma Well-Known Member

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    Mccguiars ultimate compound is amazing! IMG_20191121_085843_929.jpg
     
  17. Dec 6, 2019 at 12:58 AM
    #17
    Boosted_Carrera

    Boosted_Carrera Well-Known Member

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    Maaaan , you got lucky there.
     
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  18. Dec 6, 2019 at 1:03 AM
    #18
    Jasonstacoma

    Jasonstacoma Well-Known Member

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    Ya I can't believe it took it all out!
     
  19. Dec 6, 2019 at 4:55 AM
    #19
    Chew

    Chew Not so well known user

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    Amazon dog poo bed mat mod

    Looks an awful lot like the carwash brush that sometimes goes from side to side. If OP didn't run through wash, dealer may have. Often dealer's complimentary car washes are total crap. I'm no expert, but I have customers that build washes (brushless) and buddies that are dealer techs, again most dealer wash bays are complete crap. I tell them not to wash.
     
  20. Dec 6, 2019 at 7:13 AM
    #20
    Mr. Excitement

    Mr. Excitement Well-Known Member

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    Custom floormats, fuzzy dice
    I think you will be alright or will be able to greatly reduce that. I had a 2001 taco with super dead paint. I pretty much used that as my practice car. Harbor freight has a decent dual action polisher ( you want dual action so you don't burn through) and they have some decent pads. If you live near a junk yard of something, grab a spare door or body panel and mess around until you get comfortable. Or like others have said, just take it to a professional detailer. Good luck man!!
     

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