Removing scratches from a truck?

[olivs260]

Sooo... I let the wifey use my truck over the weekend for her work's Family Day. I specifically said to her- "you can borrow my truck as long as you promise to be careful and not break it."

Got it back this morning and discovered this:





Yep... that's a ~6" scratch on my 6-month-old truck She backed over a wooden parking stop with the tailgate down. What I need to know is, what can I do to fix this? Do I need to have it painted, or is this something that I can buff out? If I can do it without going to a shop, what products should I try?

 

[TecheTitan]

I would try going to a local auto parts store and trying some scratch remover products first. Some of them can actually work fairly well. I'm not sure if you will get it out completely, but it could mask it well enough not to be so noticable.

 

[2011Corvette]

It looks like that could possibly be buffed out. I would run by a local body shop and ask them to buff it for you. They shouldnt charge much to do that.
Be careful if you try doing it yourself. You could do more harm than good.

 

[bjeepin2]

get a good rubing wax and try it first if not then go to a good body shop

 

[olivs260]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm more just upset that it's my brand new truck than anything


Will probably try a good wax or scratch remover from the auto parts store this evening.

 

[Sasquatch26]

This may be a good excuse to trade in both for a new model!

 

[olivs260]

This may be a good excuse to trade in both for a new model!

Not gonna say the thought didn't cross my mind... lmao

 

[TecheTitan]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm more just upset that it's my brand new truck than anything


Will probably try a good wax or scratch remover from the auto parts store this evening.

Well, just look at it this way. You already have the first scratch on it, so the rest are going to be less painful!

 

[RedStickChick]

I told him it could've been worse.

I mean she could've taken a bumper off or even the tailgate itself.

 

[topgunz1]

Being a brand new truck, I'd get an opinion from a good reputable body shop.

 

[olivs260]

I told him it could've been worse.

I mean she could've taken a bumper off or even the tailgate itself.

You're not helping her case

 

[AustinBR]

Come Park at LSU for a day or two. It will change your mind on that little scratch!

--Sent From My Galaxy S4

 

[Wyldhog]

Porter Cable 7424XP Dual action polisher with Lake City orange buffing pad and Chemical Guys V34 compound.
I have used this on my 2011 black Tahoe and it works GREAT! removes all the superficial clear coat scratches that develop over time. The Porter Cable polisher is idiot proof...no way to burn your paint. The website for all this stuff is www.chemicalguys.com

 

[JadeRaven]

Come Park at LSU for a day or two. It will change your mind on that little scratch!

--Sent From My Galaxy S4

Haha.

I actually lived on campus for like 6 years, and nothing notable ever happened to my cars. Moved off campus and the apartment parking lot ****ed up my car pretty good, both bumpers hit and scratched doors.

 

[bjeepin2]

make sure it is non abrasibe or it will leave swerils

 

[olivs260]

make sure it is non abrasibe or it will leave swerils

Definitely don't want any swerils on my tailgate!

 

[buttanic]

First one is always the worst, in a year you won't even notice it. Never got those who go to extreme lengths to keep scratches off of truck beds, it's truck.

 

[Jack]

Look on the bright side, it's just a Toyota!

 

[rabiddawg]

make sure it is non abrasibe or it will leave swerils

All polishes are abrasive to different degrees.

I own a bodyshop. Dont go by a bodyshop and ask for this to be fixed unless you are a prior customer or you would use them if you had real damage. Would i fix it, yes. Would i charge? No, but i would remember paying it forward.

The place to go for this is a professional detail shop. This will be your cheapest option as buying quality products is not cheap and they often come in qt. bottles

 

[olivs260]

All polishes are abrasive to different degrees.

I own a bodyshop. Dont go by a bodyshop and ask for this to be fixed unless you are a prior customer or you would use them if you had real damage. Would i fix it, yes. Would i charge? No, but i would remember paying it forward.

The place to go for this is a professional detail shop. This will be your cheapest option as buying quality products is not cheap and they often come in qt. bottles

Best advice I've gotten. Thanks!

And Jack, quit being an internet meanie.