Waxing over scratches

My truck is over 2 years old and I think it’s time to slap on a coat of wax. Don’t judge. My question is, is it okay to wax over pinstripes? Not sure if it’s going to hide the scratches or if it’ll collect in the scratches and make it look worse. What do you think? @WarEagleSteve? Anyone?

 

I'll see if I can find some of that.

 

You’ll be surprised at how much some polisher will take out. Have fun.

 

I'd throw out an offer to do some scratch removal for you, but I know you use your truck for wheeling and will just give it more.

 

If you can't feel the scratches with your nail you should be able to paint correct most of them out with a DI Buffer and the correct compounds. Takes a couple hours and some money, but it looks good when done. I have not gone through the compounds I bought the first time, but I am happy with Menzerna polishes.
http://www.detailedimage.com/Griots-M56/Random-Orbital-Polisher-P671/6-S1/. Harbor Freight has a cheaper one, but I do not have experience with it.

 

I’m in. @WarEagleSteve let me know when you want to start touring.

 

Name it. Anywhere would be far more fun and enjoyable than where I am now.

 

Yeah, just don't see the point in trying to buff them out when I'm going to get more. But my truck's been sitting outside so I think I atleast need some wax.

 

Some of those products have fillers. Meaning when you use that product it will fill the scratches.

 

@joonbug shouldn't you actually wash your truck before you attempt waxing it? Just a little 101

 

Lol. At least wait till it rains and then run out with a towel when it stops

 

Too bad it doesn’t rain in California.

 

Yeah, I was thinking about dedicating an entire hour to washing and waxing this weekend.

 

Kris, how many times have you buffed out your pinstripes?

 

Might want to set aside a couple hours for that lol. I'm not new to pinstripes and I don't try to fully get rid of them but just try to blend them a little more. I just washed and waxed mine last night. After the wash I used chemical guys scratch and swirl remover followed by their butter wax. It buffs out the light stuff and hides the nasty stuff pretty well. Hold up and I'll get you some pics

 

Not bad for just a hand job (ay ay)





Can still make out some of the deep F'ers in the right light

 

Dam, I don't need it that nice. Is that even doable in less than an hour?

 

Thanks man! That means a lot coming from the detail godfather lol

 

I use a spotless water system and with just the wash and wax it takes me about a couple hours. Those scratches don't look too bad so you can probably get away with a wash and wax.

 

So just go buy products with the words scratch and swirl on the bottle? Got it!

 

Accompanied with the word "remover". Otherwise you might be going in the wrong direction lol

 

Yeah, that might be important. My truck saw soap on her for the first time a couple of months ago. Now some wax? She's probably thinking I'm getting ready to sell her.

 

@WarEagleSteve Does that Meguiar's Polishing Wax wipe off easily? Easy enough for 10 and 8 year old girls to wipe off? That would make this experience much more enjoyable for me.

 

Wow. Glad I stumbled across this thread when I did. You guys are characters.

I won't spend alot of time getting to much into my detailing creds (http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/show-shine/647737-my-2007-getting-2-stage-polish-sealant.html ) but I also understand that I'm new to Tundras.com and some might see my post count and dismiss me as being full of shit.

To the OP, YES you can wax over scratches. However the question is what are you trying to accomplish?

If you're simply wanting to protect your vehicles body, and aren't particularly bothered by the scratches and hillbilly pinstriping. Then by all means go seek out your wax of choice and go to town. There are plenty of flavors and price points. My suggestion would be give it a good washing and clay bar first. And secondly a quick wipe down with isoprophyl alcohol will ensure your clearcoat is free of impurities before you apply wax. This ensures it adheres as best as possible and will "wipe off as easily as possible".

That being said. Wax will last and protect (at best) 3-4 months no matter what the bottles and marketing say. Yes even the $50 a bottle wax.

If you're looking to remove the scratches and protect your corrected paint finish. You'll need to go the dual action polisher route. Most likely could get 85%-90% to perfect with a 2 stage polish. If you wanted like new perfect paint with depth and gloss for days you might need to wetsand some of those stripes. And you'll have to accept some of them may not ever come out. You won't get those scratches out by hand even if you rubbed till your fingers bled.

My recommendation would be if you are going to go through the effort of correcting the scratches with a polish or a simple clay bar you might has protect your work longer and from more harsh conditions but using a Sealant.

Again there are many flavors and price points. Let me know what outcome you want and I'll add further recommendations.

cheers