First scratch..

So I found this on my truck this morning. No idea how, when, where, or why it happened, but it happened. It's on the driver's side so I would've noticed it before. Truck was also on the driveway with another car parked to the left. The only thing I can think of is that someone walked between the two vehicles with something very abrasive, hopefully by accident.

Scratches on the paint aren't too deep, but the black fender flare is cut pretty deep. Any thoughts on repairing the fender flare? Or how much they would cost to replace?

 

That sux man. Had the same thing happen to my 09 while I was in the woods deer hunting. You could probably change the flare yourself. Not really a good way to fix plastic like that.

 

Go buy the fender flare from somewhere (edit: TRDSHOP), then orbital buff the shit out of that scratch with a good polishing compound. Touch up anything that went below base coat and live with it. If you pay to have it fixed at a body shop they'll have to repaint everything most likely and the labor, parts and paint will cost you $800 or more. Not worth it. Fix as much as you can yourself and live with it is my suggestion.

 

It's a TRDOR....scratches are like medals for winning.

 

Check this link. Looks like flare molding is pretty cheap if I'm looking at the right part -- http://www.trdshop.com/auto-parts/2...gas-engine/body-cat/exterior-trim-fender-scat

 

I would first try something not too aggressive on the painted surfaces. If those scratches are not below the clear coat, Meguiar's Scratch X 2.0 Fine Scratch and Blemish Remover works pretty well.

 

I'd buff the scratch and keep using that flare for awhile. They're going to all look like that pretty soon if you offroad. I figure that by the time mine get bad, there will be plenty available aftermarket. Not sure I'd spend $160/ea for the soft OEM ones.

Personally, I think the pictures of these look good. Haven't seen them in person yet on a 2016.

http://www.bushwacker.com/search-results/make-model-year/2016-toyota-tacoma

 

looks to be a decent scratch, kinda sucks getting the first but at least its out of the way now. i have had decent results repairing plastic scratches with a heat gun, but be careful, the idea is to melt the rough edges of plastic without melting the entire thing. not easy and can end up ruining the flare but if it bothers you, its already ruined. the paint will likely need a bit of touch up followed by a couple stages of compound then polish or glaze done right with a buffer. if you arent experienced in this, checkout small body shops. they usually have all the right compounds and pads needed and have worked wonders for me before for small money. general rule of thumb, run a fingernail gently perpendicular to scratch. if you feel it(looks pretty good) then it is likely through at least clear coat and should be done right(not just a wax or polish)

 

I second the heat gun. I used to have a Jeep TJ, and we used the heat gun to get the faded fenders back to black, it would also take out light scratches and darken deeper ones so they blended in.

 

I second SRCM's recommendation, I got my 1st scratch last week when a tree branch left a racing stripe across the top of my passenger doors. I used Scratch X 2.0 and after a few applications it's no longer visible. I was really impressed how well it worked. Good luck I feel your pain.

 

thanks for this! I am going to put this in my sig

 

I see you have sliders so I assume you off road. There is no point in buying new fender flares. If you even look at a bush, they scratch themselves.

 

That's a deep one. That sucks


My flares are all scratched up but paint is holding up fairly well

 

I remember my first scratch . I was on my way home from the dealership with my new 41K Tacoma limited truck and I was rear-ended by somebody who was texting . My first scratch consisted of over $17,000 in damages. Honestly though, I would find a scratch like yours more frustrating than what happened to me . It just seems the small avoidable scratches drive you crazy, but my accident was unavoidable, caused by someone else . Sorry to see your new truck got damaged

 

A new fender flare is gonna run you up around $250 at the dealership, not sure how much they go for online.

I think best thing you can do is, try and buff as much of it out and then buy the OEM colored pen they sell at the dealership for like $20 and also buy a clear coat to put on top after. You get can a clear coat pen at your local pep boys.

 

Oh gotta love them inconsiderate a-holes as WalMart. Definitely looks like a buggy scratch to me. Got one on the wife Corolla on the right rear quarter wheel arch. The bad thing about it is you can park your car/truck 150 yds away in the parking lot and you still have that one that has to park right on top of you.

 

Is it possible something kicked up from the tire wile driving? Looks like the scratch leads from inside wheel well out. None the less it's a scratch. Since it's a virgin buff it. After you get a few it's a notch in the belt

 

I always park far away from over vehicles, but 1 time in 1000 I parked right in front of, you guessed it Wally-world. I come out with a small dent/scratch, at first I was more upset with me parking there than the person who did it, but after a few days I realized that I'm no longer OCD about my truck, but still care for it, just not stressing so much. I would chalk it up to giving the truck some character and making you less stressed IMHO.

 

Don't know what they really look like on a 16 taco, but I guess these guys make'm too.