Scratches galore on trail-going rig

[kev7706]

Well, after venturing off-highway and onto a narrow trail, my normally pristine 4Runner is now covered in scratches from overgrown brush. I guess I had it coming, but now I deparately need your help. Below are the carnage shots.



http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/3e8ecf1b32.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)



http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/bb1f1288fd.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)



http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/d187624500.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

(If these don`t work, let me know)



Should I even attempt to take these out by hand using ScratchX - I`m asking because I don`t have any on hand at the moment. I`m thinking I`ll need more aggressive means. Suggestions?

[99blackmagic]

my plan of attack would be 3M scratch remover followed by scratchX to get rid of any marring from 3M



matt

[imported_themightytimmah]

Nice work chief :). ScratchX via terry cloth should do a good job, but my gut sense is that you are going to need a stronger abrasive to knock it out. You could try 3M scratch remover or SSR3 by hand then Scratch-X. Personally, I`d go at it with a rotary and Optimum Hyper Compound, but judging by your post, you don`t have machine polishing available to you.

[kev7706]

I`m going to give ScratchX a try (least abrasive first, right?). If that doesn`t work, I`ll move on to 3M, and then onto SSR3 or the like with a PC, which I don`t have as of yet.



I guess I have to pay for my mistakes, but no matter. I had some fun and I`ll probably end up with a PC, which I`ve been wanting anyway.



Thanks, guys.

[Ben Kenobi]

Oh yes you are going to need to machine polish those out. I don`t think working by hand will get them completely out. Nice job by the way!

[sumptimwong]

Keep in mind that ScratchX is a diminishing abrasive, so it`s most effective when you first start rubbing it in. It will probably take 4-5 passes with ScratchX and lots of pressure to hide those scratches, they look pretty deep.

[Black240SX]

If you`ll be going off-road again, then just forget about the scratches.

[SenojNW]

I agree - it is a 4WD so it is gonna get more... Just treat it like they are`nt there and wash, polish, seal as you normally would. If you try to polish out every scratch you get on a 4WD (providing it is not just a city 4WD) you will end up with NO PAINT!

[chrisx]

Next time you might want try the stuff mentioned in this post.



Spray-on Bra (http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=68770&page=1&pp=12)

[kev7706]

Thanks for all the responses, guys. I`ve been gone all day so I haven`t had a chance to check back.



I shift into 4WD from time to time, but I don`t usually end up marring the paint like I did.



Like I said before, I guess now is as good a time as ever to drop some graduation money on a PC.