Bush scratches

[Linflas]

Last month I made the mistake of actually using my SUV "off-road" in Dolly Sods wilderness area. We ended up going through an area where the right side of the car was scratched by bushes. None of the "scratches" can be felt with my fingernail and everyone tells me I should be able to buff them out. Anyone ever done this and what is the best way to go about it? Should I buy one of those orbital buffers and just use regular wax? Or just terrycloth and elbow grease?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I have.

Depending on how large the area is, I would recommend spending the money on an orbital buffer and a few pads. (I'm glad I did.) But I am also a lazy SoaB.

Whether you use power tools or elbow grease, if they're very shallow scratches (just in the clear coat) then you just need some time and polishing compound.

A pretty good explanation with links to the products he used is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPjlkEmbn44

(You wouldn't need to do the whole car, just the affected areas.)

You may need to do the process more than once, depending on how deep the scratches are. When I did it, I did it twice and it got maybe 90% better. A third round might have cleaned it up completely but good enough is good enough.

 

[aigomorla]

Last month I made the mistake of actually using my SUV "off-road" in Dolly Sods wilderness area. We ended up going through an area where the right side of the car was scratched by bushes. None of the "scratches" can be felt with my fingernail and everyone tells me I should be able to buff them out. Anyone ever done this and what is the best way to go about it? Should I buy one of those orbital buffers and just use regular wax? Or just terrycloth and elbow grease?

I like ChrisFix's videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYF46P7B2c

He also shows how you can diagnose if its something you can buff out or not.

 

[Linflas]

I have.

Depending on how large the area is, I would recommend spending the money on an orbital buffer and a few pads. (I'm glad I did.) But I am also a lazy SoaB.

Whether you use power tools or elbow grease, if they're very shallow scratches (just in the clear coat) then you just need some time and polishing compound.

A pretty good explanation with links to the products he used is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPjlkEmbn44

(You wouldn't need to do the whole car, just the affected areas.)

You may need to do the process more than once, depending on how deep the scratches are. When I did it, I did it twice and it got maybe 90% better. A third round might have cleaned it up completely but good enough is good enough.

That ChrisFix video scares me. If sandpaper is needed it is going to the pro's for that. I think I am going to try some terry cloth and elbow grease on a couple of areas if it ever stops raining here long enough for me to do that and hopefully the majority of it is just sap and debris that will come off with some work. If that doesn't work then I will try the Maguires on a small area and depending on the results.

 

[mdram]

meh, i took my truck out for scratches on day 2 of ownership

its going to happen. just live with em 🙂

 

[dave_the_nerd]

That ChrisFix video scares me. If sandpaper is needed it is going to the pro's for that. I think I am going to try some terry cloth and elbow grease on a couple of areas if it ever stops raining here long enough for me to do that and hopefully the majority of it is just sap and debris that will come off with some work. If that doesn't work then I will try the Maguires on a small area and depending on the results.

If it's just sap, try a squirt of goo-gone.

 

[olds]

Stuff is getting expensive, but it works:
https://www.grainger.com/product/6K...7031!&ef_id=V8y9qgAAAXaUXJXa:20180912123834:s

 

[monkeydelmagico]

If you had fun then keep taking it off road. It adds character.

I've always had poor results when it comes time to break out the sand paper. The end result is usually a dull scratched up mess worse than when I started. Studied the youtubes, followed the directions, used the best compounds with orbital sander and still a turd.

Now I can fill and sand body panels to perfection and even half way decent at shooting paint but just can't seem to get the hang of the finish work.

I would suggest practicing on an old body panel or somewhere inconspicuous like lower rocker first.

 

[eng2d2]

If you had fun then keep taking it off road. It adds character.

I've always had poor results when it comes time to break out the sand paper. The end result is usually a dull scratched up mess worse than when I started. Studied the youtubes, followed the directions, used the best compounds with orbital sander and still a turd.

Now I can fill and sand body panels to perfection and even half way decent at shooting paint but just can't seem to get the hang of the finish work.

I would suggest practicing on an old body panel or somewhere inconspicuous like lower rocker first.

I agree with you and I feel the same way but did you every try buffing after painting. It looks like from your post you followed a youtube instruction so I assume you did. I am in the process of repairing a .5mm wide and deep scratch. The guy told me to sand the surrounding area but like you I might mess up the whole process. The sand paper scares me and I can make it smooth but the painting and shine is a challenge. I watched once a painter up close painting a scratched up dent. I was not satisfied with his work but he buffed it with hand. Ltots of buffing. He said thats the best result you will ever get for this type of repair. He said it will never be the same as when it comes out of factory. Otherwise you paint the whole area to mask the imperfection. I don't know if there is a better process now. I dont remember the liquid he used to rubbed the paint with. I know it was a clear liquid. It might be acetone he used and its been over 10 years when i watched him. Maybe I can see imperfection because I watched him through the whole process and I was expecting a lot. Nowadays they also use clear to shine like the factory paint.

 

[Linflas]

If you had fun then keep taking it off road. It adds character.

I've always had poor results when it comes time to break out the sand paper. The end result is usually a dull scratched up mess worse than when I started. Studied the youtubes, followed the directions, used the best compounds with orbital sander and still a turd.

Now I can fill and sand body panels to perfection and even half way decent at shooting paint but just can't seem to get the hang of the finish work.

I would suggest practicing on an old body panel or somewhere inconspicuous like lower rocker first.

We did have fun but the road was really only passable with a jeep outfitted with proper tires for off-roading. Most of the roads in Dolly Sods are gravel fire roads but this one section was marked not maintained, 4 wheel drive only and we found out exactly what that meant lol.

 

[JeepinEd]

I call them "Custom Trail Pinstripes". My Jeep had them on week 1 of ownership, along with naturally tailored skid plates.