Should I cut and polish this looong scratch or not? Advice wanted

Hi fellas,

I’d like to get some advice and feedback on what I should do about this new scrape along my truck that runs from my front door to the end of the box. I think a custodian dragged a full plastic garbage bag along the truck trying to get to the dumpster this winter. Just washed the truck today and found this beauty.

The abrasion doesn’t go deep but the clear coat is whitish as seen in the photos.

Is this something I should cut with my polisher with some fine or medium abrasive? Or is it worth putting in a claim to my insurance. My deductible is $200 IIRC.

I’m not excited about chasing swirl marks from my polisher but I don’t mind putting in some work. Question is, should I get a pro to do it so I know it’ll look perfect?

I have a makita polisher and an air 6” dynabrade RO sander polisher with foam applicators for when I do the fibreglass trailer. I have the tools.

 

That looks like you could buff it out.

 

If it was mine, I would try buffing it out by hand with a mild polishing compound. Good luck.

 

Should buff out. But like you said, if you don't know what you are doing, there will be swirl marks at least..... Possibly worse.

Not sure what tools/supplies you have on hand, but if you are having to purchase much of anything, you will probably be spending close to what a professional detailing place would charge.

As stated above, your paint already has marks/swirls, etc...(auto car wash?).

I'd just have it paint corrected / polished if it was me... But I'm super OCD when it comes to paint. I'd be sitting there trying to get it perfect and be down to bare metal.