Minor scratches in paint

Was bound to happen going down old logging road and tree branch went down the length of the truck. Not a deep one but noticable. Not much info in search bar so thought id see what yall recommend to take it out.

 

Interested in this also since I also have some minor scratches.

 

Rule of thumb: If the scratch doesn't catch your nail, it can be polished out. If the scratch catches your nail, it's through the clear coat...no happiness for you, learn to love it or ignore it.

From the pics, looks like they can be polished to me.

 

That all looks to be pretty easy to get out. Do you have a polisher, or are you going to have to do it by hand?

 

Really? @NewImprovedRon I knew you were sharp with electrical, but I didn’t know you had the documents to back it up!

 

Had a bunch of those in my 2012, Spruce Mica, stuck out pretty good. In can be done by hand but plan on being there for awhile. A buffer works better, I used a variety of cleaners and polish, Scratch Doctor worked for me, then follow up with a quality wax. Went so far on a couple nicks in the paint to touch it up with genuine touch-up paint, generic may be just as good, I don't know. Filled it in. Let it dry for a day, wet sanded it smooth with 1000 grit paper. Then polishing compound. It's not perfect but you have to know where to look to find it. Oh yeah, some of the scratches a car detailer told me would not come out, the ones you can feel with your fingernail, did look a lot better. All of them were worth the time to try to buff them out.

 

I got all mine out of the wifes car by using v22 and a buffer.

Hers was 9 years old and never had a paint correction so I tried it.

Took a few times like three I think so maybe a little more aggressive pad or compound

Detail guys will be in to make me look stupid pretty soon.

I learned most just reading through the detail site here

 

If it doesn't catch your nail as someone said, then it can be polished out.

I have an orbital polisher and use Meguiar's microfiber pads. They work amazing. I just use the standard compound that comes with the kit (works pretty good) and then seal it with Menzerna sealant. That's my go to with all my BMW's, and will be doing a full detail (decontamination, wash, polish, sealant) on my Tundra this weekend. It's going to take an eternity!

 

https://optimumcarcare.com/product/optimum-clear-coat-restorer-ccr-

 

I use a DA variable speed polisher. You can actually get a decent one at Harbor Freight for $50, otherwise plan to spend $100 or more. If you’re just keeping up a couple cars, the $50 one is fine. Near sanding/polishing supplies they sell the various pads.
I use Mcguire’s Swirl Away polishing compound.

For that one scratch, you could do it by hand most likely. I do recommend the Swirl Away. When done, wax.

You can use circular buffing motion until the scratch fades, then switch to back and forth strokes that follow the vehicle’s line.

50 guys will give you 50 different answers on buffing and paint.

If you do get a DA polisher, watch a few YouTube’s before just going to town- it is possible to burn right through the paint, or even mar the finish. But you’d have to be pretty carelessly attacking it.

 

I have very many of these. Planning on cutting it hard at some point, then using Optimum CCR to fill what's left as much as possible. When I have money to fully PPF the sides, this will happen. Been getting quotes of around 2500ish for full side PPF using a mix of precuts and custom cuts.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Should be able get it looking new again.

 

As far as scratches go, I scratched the hell out of both sides of my truck on a mountain trail. Through word of mouth, found a great detailer who buffed most of them out. Blew me away. He's a freakin artist.[/user]

 

3M makes a professional compound called “finesse” that a body shop guy told me about years ago. It’s quite pricy (I think it was about $80 a quart!, so I got the half pint. I have done the whole(black) truck twice and still plenty left) but does a nice job by hand or with a buffer. My truck has branch lines similar to this and it does a nice job. I did a similar thing all along one whole side and was beside myself wtf!! This got 90% of it off. I complain about the lines all the time, but my buds say, “it’s a gorgeous truck, but dude it is a pickup.”