BAZ

Well, its been a while since my trucks gotten a good wash and this weekend I plan on spending a few hours cleaning it up. My question is: How do you guys tackle scratches and dulling of the paint? I have never used a buffer or anything before although I own one. Its sitting in the garage somewhere.

Toyota Punk

First, you can send me that buffer since you don't use it. Then, I have no idea. I am not good at getting them out either.

TNRabbit

They are badges of courage; DO NOT REMOVE THEM! Please leave the testicles on your truck!

sschaefer3

That Griots stuff takes it right out. Ask Corey.

rollem

Be careful with the buffer. It will burn your paint if your not careful. Also buffing is like a 3 step process takes alot of time and patience to do it right, Pay some detail dude a 100 bones to do it for you. Another way to get them out is with some rubbing compound (3M makes some good stuff) and ALOT of elbow grease, Takes most of them out... I do agree with TNwabbit, scratches do add character. But watch out for bare metal, It's cancer ready to happen...

04 Rocko Taco

Use some rubbing compound, BUT remember to wax after, because rubbing compoud strips all wax off, opening your paint to dying...lol. Send me your buffer, and pay a detailer the 100 bucks to do it for you. Just discuss warranty work with him before, what he is going to do if he burns the paint, scratches it, etc...

rollem

Yeah I forgot to mention the waxing after the rubbing, very inportant...

Blizzard

Look at this and decide hehe

Usually my truck looks like this:











And once a year I use a polisher with 3M Perfect It III Rubish Compound, so before it looks like this











I was impressed the first time I tried it because it makes desappear quite hard scratches, look the tail light area.

Now I must do it again, I've my silver (Painted the lower part of the truck silver after those pics) scratched as well.

I've never waxed my truck... I'll have to ask... It's something you can do yourself?

David

LOCKnGO

You need this

In flat black of course

I would use acetone and a soft cloth, work in small patches then wash/ wax well. Believe it or not naptha works too but....
Anyways that's how I always took pin striping and old vynl(sp) off.

tc

Ummmm LOCKnGO - he's referring to scratches (we call it Ohio Pinstriping here) not actual pinstriping...

I've tried cleaner wax, it wasn't near abrasive enough. I'll have to try that 3M PerfectIt - I've used the FinesseIt before with good results getting the oxidation off my fiberglass topper and restoring the color.

Oh - and Blizzard, I'll do you one better. Here's what my 4Runner looks like after 4wheeling Saturday: