[billaj]

O.K so I learned my lessons about offroading in tiny areas. Everytime a tree twigs scratched against my truck I would just grind my teeth.

Anyways, I have tiny scrathes around my truck, and this is probably a dumb question, but is there any trick to getting lil' scratches out? Perhaps buffing maybe?

 

[billaj]

Anyone know how Meguiars scratch remover performs?

 

[ArmyAviation]

a high speed buffer with a foam pad, fine cut compound

 

[luvbelly]

Getting a buff job should take care of your problem. It is amazing some of the stuff that will come out. If you decide to tackle this yourself be very careful. If you get carried away you can burn the paint or end up with some nasty swirl marks. If you can find a good paint or detail shop have them do it for you and see if you can hang around and watch. It doesn't take to long to learn and they can even give you some ideas about what products are good for various types of paint problems. My experience with products intended to be applied by hand is lackluster, but they are usually inexpensive if you need to see this for yourself. :cheers:

 

[Nissan_Kid]

If you run your nail across it and it gets hung up then it just might be too deep to save. You got a black truck right. I would take it some where if you've never used a buffer before. Black is the worst, you can see everything.

 

[gyrate]

Anyone know how Meguiars scratch remover performs?

It wont work.

You need polish with a power buffer. Even then, knowing the titan, it won't work. I bet you the scratches are already into the primer.

Heck, if they are not i'll buy your truck. Welcome to nissan paint

 

[billaj]

The scratches are really shallow. If I run my finger across them I can't even feel it with my finger. The scratches are about as thick and deep as a piece of fine hair. I'll see if I can pay someone to buff them out and I'll also ask to watch. Thx everyone.

EDIT: Ya, it's a black truck.

 

[Energizer]

get a mother's speed ball (WalMart) and some meguiar's paint cleaner (step 1 in their system) and most tiny scratches will come out... I did this ALL THE TIME with my Jeep.

I've been offroading, going between TIGHT bushes, etc. I've even backed into a shopping cart, then pulled forward, leaving two long scrapes down the side of my Jeep... it was mostly plastic or paint from the cart's handle, although some clearcoat damage was done.... this method took out most of the scratch to where I was happy with it and you couldn't really see it anymore...

if that doesn't work, you may need some light rubbing compound, but leave that to the pros if you haven't used it before....

 

[BobNYC]

My friend who off-roads a lot calls those "California Pinstripes".

 

[jasonmotox]

get over it, its a truck! first weekend after my lift ( 3500 miles on it) I ran it thru a fallen pine tree just to get it over with.

 

[bbshot]

I had some of those scratches from 4-wheeling up in the Eastern Sierra. I took it to a body shop where I know a few people. It took them about 20 minutes. They used 400 grit wet sandpaper, then a buffing compound with a buffer. Perfect. A detailer would probably do the same. I would never try it on my own - I left it to the professionals. They can't do anything for trim pieces or the bumper. Said it would burn the paint rather than buff it.

 

[d0va]

I have a couple of pinstripes too... they actually build character to the truck.

I dont see the point to removed them if you plan to go offroad again...

 

[Yellomantis]

If you are planning on ever going off roading again, just leave them there. They represent a badge of honor that you actually use your truck.

The meguires scratch x will work on the hairline scratches, I use it all the time on my street cars. For heavier scratches, use the porter cable random orbit buffer with the simonz pad kit. As for comound, I always start with the meguires heavy cut compound that you can only buy at detail supply shops. It starts out like a very abrasive compound to knock down the hard edges then slowly turns into a ultra fine compound hat takes down the swirl marks and hairline scratches. A good web site to look would be autopia.com or org (I can't remember). Great detailing forum with lots o advice to give. They also have a for sale section that has the porter cable there.

 

[BKW]

Every time you use any of the scratch removers, you take away a bit of the thin clearcoat.

 

[Energizer]

yep... and if using a sanding pad, you can only use it so many strokes before needing clear coat... depending on grit...

 

[billaj]

I just bought the meguiars and I am going to test it out tomorrow. I know it will get nicks here and there but I have alot of free time on my hands right now so I've just been putting my time towards my truck.

 

[redpickemuptruck]

Those aren't scratches thats Patina

 

[billaj]

huh?

How long should I let the meguairs stay on for? The back of the bottle doesn't say. I tried 1 minute and 3 minutes but I couldn't tell a difference.

 

[Energizer]

which meguiars product are you referring?

 

[billaj]

All they had was the Scratch X.