Annual Scratch-Remover Thread

[homeyclaus]

So ... based on last year's scratch remover thread...

Any newer or better products out that are known to work with the 5th gen?

This is mainly to deal with pinstriping and careless people in parking lots (although I am tempted to add spikes to my sliders to deal with that :gun6.

 

[joneseyyy]

Also interested...Will be trying the Zaino polishing compound to reduce/minimize/hide my pinstripes. That or a sharpie marker!

 

[Jtraskell]

Also interested...Will be trying the Zaino polishing compound to reduce/minimize/hide my pinstripes. That or a sharpie marker!

Although pinstripes can certainly be painted, most are just decals. If decals, then 99% of the time, they were installed on top of the clear coat. If you do not like them, have you tried to grab an edge and see if they start to peel off?

 

[homeyclaus]

Although pinstripes can certainly be painted, most are just decals. If decals, then 99% of the time, they were installed on top of the clear coat. If you do not like them, have you tried to grab an edge and see if they start to peel off?

We're talking about "West Virginia Pinstripes" not the dealer-installed hideous accessories.

That would be "horizontal scratches caused by brushes" :happens:

 

[Jtraskell]

We're talking about "West Virginia Pinstripes" not the dealer-installed hideous accessories.

That would be "horizontal scratches caused by brushes" :happens:

Ahh, so sorry.....:hatsoff:

 

[1engineer]

We're talking about "West Virginia Pinstripes" not the dealer-installed hideous accessories.

That would be "horizontal scratches caused by brushes" :happens:

Almost all "pinstripes" referred to on 4Runners are caused by bushes and limbs alongside trails. There are several types such as Texas, Arizona, Alabama and West Virginia.

 

[Turn_down]

Perfect timing for this thread.

I let my wife take the Runner for the day. First time she's had it.

I just got a call that she put a "small" scratch in the rear hatch.

I know I'll get them, but what makes me mad is that we've been to the grocery store several times, and I ALWAYS hold the lift gate so it doesn't hit the garage door (when the door is raised). If I had another inch, I wouldn't have to do it. That's how close it is. And she knows this!!! I'm just upset because it could have easily been prevented.

Well, I guess I'll get some scratch X tonight, unless anyone has something better to use.

 

[joneseyyy]

Almost all "pinstripes" referred to on 4Runners are caused by bushes and limbs alongside trails. There are several types such as Texas, Arizona, Alabama and West Virginia.

Mine are the Virginia variety, mostly:happens:

 

[blademan]

I tried some "Scratch X" by Meguires this weekend - it definetly made them less noticable (75% less I'd say)- did not "remove" them however. In the right light, you can still see them, but not with the casual glance. I just used a terry cloth/sponge applicator and elbow grease. I think if I used the same product on a R/O or DA hand tool results would be 50% better (or mostly removed.)

I have tried the Nu Finish scratch out - not nearly as effective for me with hand application.

Black does seem to get the "pinstripes" from the least bit of vegitative contact. My wife's Calvary Blue FJ has gone through the same gaunlet with no noticable signs- even when the screeching sent chills down MY spine - 'course she's oblivious :driving::lmao:

 

[Turn_down]

Anyone in DFW know a good body shop? I got to look at my "scratch". It's about 2" long. After that the paint is chipped and missing. About an inch long by 1/2" wide. Yeah......scratch X won't fix that.

I stopped by the toyota body shop on the way home. Estimate is $200 to repaint and clear the section. Happy Father's Day!! lol

 

[homeyclaus]

I have tried the Nu Finish scratch out - not nearly as effective for me with hand application.

Bummer, I just bought that to try because I could not remember the recommendation made in the previous thread. :-/ Of course, with that in the back seat, I catch some self-righteous cow bashing her door into the side of my Maxima ... twice, and she got pissed because I was taping her. All I could say was "your choice - license and insurance, or I call the police."

Anyone in DFW know a good body shop? I got to look at my "scratch". It's about 2" long. After that the paint is chipped and missing. About an inch long by 1/2" wide. Yeah......scratch X won't fix that.

I stopped by the toyota body shop on the way home. Estimate is $200 to repaint and clear the section. Happy Father's Day!! lol

If you off-road a fair bit start thinking about the paint as a maintenance item that you change every x number of years. In the meantime, there are the base and clear coat touch-up paint kits that have worked well. Clean, apply base, dry, apply clearcoat sealant, dry, fluff and buff.

Where I have always come out annoyed is for scratch removers for scratches in the clearcoat.

 

[PearlWhite4R]

Perfect timing for this thread.

I let my wife take the Runner for the day. First time she's had it.

I just got a call that she put a "small" scratch in the rear hatch.

I know I'll get them, but what makes me mad is that we've been to the grocery store several times, and I ALWAYS hold the lift gate so it doesn't hit the garage door (when the door is raised). If I had another inch, I wouldn't have to do it. That's how close it is. And she knows this!!! I'm just upset because it could have easily been prevented.

Well, I guess I'll get some scratch X tonight, unless anyone has something better to use.

For future fix. i took a pool noodle, cut it down to size and then made a cut to the middle hole. stuck this right on the inside of the garage door and fixed the problem. 5 minutes and less than 5 bucks.

im traveling right now, but if my description wasnt good i can take a pic when i get home later this week.

 

[jhgnag]

For future fix. i took a pool noodle, cut it down to size and then made a cut to the middle hole. stuck this right on the inside of the garage door and fixed the problem. 5 minutes and less than 5 bucks.

im traveling right now, but if my description wasnt good i can take a pic when i get home later this week.

I'd love to see a picture when you have a minute. Same problem.

 

[PearlWhite4R]

I'd love to see a picture when you have a minute. Same problem.

ill try to get my wife to take a picture in the morning.

 

[Turn_down]

For future fix. i took a pool noodle, cut it down to size and then made a cut to the middle hole. stuck this right on the inside of the garage door and fixed the problem. 5 minutes and less than 5 bucks.

im traveling right now, but if my description wasnt good i can take a pic when i get home later this week.

Excellent idea. I have some pool noodles.......well........floating in the pool. lol I get what you are saying but I'll take a pic anyways. Thanks for the offer.

I'd love to see a picture when you have a minute. Same problem.

Thank God, I thought it was just me. My wife will be happy to know she's not the only one. lol

 

[kmiller8821]

Anyone in DFW know a good body shop? I got to look at my "scratch". It's about 2" long. After that the paint is chipped and missing. About an inch long by 1/2" wide. Yeah......scratch X won't fix that.

I stopped by the toyota body shop on the way home. Estimate is $200 to repaint and clear the section. Happy Father's Day!! lol

I actually used Service King on my last 4runner and they did an awesome job.

Sorry 2 hear about ur runner, that first scratch can be painful! doh! (especially given how new your's still is!)

 

[Turn_down]

I actually used Service King on my last 4runner and they did an awesome job.

Sorry 2 hear about ur runner, that first scratch can be painful! doh! (especially given how new your's still is!)

Yessir!! She said she'd pay to get it fixed. LOL which means I'll somehow be paying to get it fixed.
There's a SK in Addison. I'll have to stop by and get a quote.

You still up for five guys tomorrow for lunch?

 

[sandwich]

I'm about to buy a Dual action buffer/polisher and some Meguiars #205 compound. It's supposed to be a heavenly combination for removing light scratches and swirls and stuff like that. If you have more serious scratches and/or swirls.. start with #105 compound and then go over it with the 205. Top that all off with a good wax/sealant and it should reflect like a mirror.

 

[homeyclaus]

Review:

Nu-Finish scratch doctor barely reduces even light pin striping. Not worth it. I tried a light application, no rubbing. No go. Heavy application, no rubbing, did nothing. The front fender I did heavy with a fair amount of rubbing, and that does seem to work.

Ir's not good at removing insect guts, even though the labeling says it is.

Their polish is seems to work though, and together with the above DID REDUCE the pin striping, although just a little. It certainly did more than the scratch remover did, at least for me.

None of it works when the scratch went through "to the white" on our vehicle.

I think I'll try Meguiar's next.

ETA: I have bunch of the toyota stuff in spray cans too. Maybe I'll try that, since I have it. Their bug and tar remover worked well.

 

[desertred]

Also interested...Will be trying the Zaino polishing compound to reduce/minimize/hide my pinstripes. That or a sharpie marker!

I've used Zaino for a number of years on another of my vehicles. The Z5 (I assume that is what you are referring to) will not remove/hide any real scratches. It is pretty good at filling light spider web imperfections, but that's about it. To remove scratches, you will want to go with another product before applying the Zaino. Zaino has such high reflective properties, any imperfections (dents, scratches) in the paint will be magnified. I'm not bashing Zaino by any means, as I am a fan. But, preparation is the key to success with this product.